Corey Cafagna Park to be Dedicated June 15

The newly named Corey Cafagna Park, at the intersection of Sunset Lane and Southlawn, is passing through the seasons. Last fall, the City installed a name sign, planted bushes and perennials around it, and put in two park benches. The benches are aligned so people can face each other and talk.

Through the winter, the green wood sign with white lettering stood out against the park's bare trees and snowy ground. This spring, the plants are emerging, rabbits lope across the grass, and people are venturing to sit on the benches.

With the coming of summer, there will be a special event to dedicate the park. It's an ice cream social on Wednesday, June 15, starting at 5:30 pm. Bring children or come alone. Bring blankets or chairs to sit on if you wish. And come with a song. This park is named for a boy who spent many hours singing there.

Remembering that singing boy, a neighbor thought the park should be named for Corey and petitioned City Council for this to happen. The City has a process for such requests and City Council set this in motion by asking the mayor (then Nathan Triplett) to convene an advisory committee for a recommendation. He assigned the matter to Tim McCaffrey, Director of Parks and Recreation. Elaine Hardy, Director of Hannah Community Center within Parks and Recreation, then completed the process through. 

The petitioner and two other neighbors, Nancy Robertson and Leah Lakdawala, agreed to serve on the advisory committee. Scheryl Barthelic served as the required representative from the Parks and Recreation Commission. The committee unanimously recommended the Park should be named for Corey Cafagna, suggested there be a dedication event, and registered their wish to see equipment in the park that would attract children.

City Council accepted the recommendation with remarks that the new park name is a fitting tribute to the entire Cafagna family, who have contributed much to the community over many years. They have contributed further by purchasing one of the two benches in Corey Cafagna Park. There is a campaign for donations to pay for the second bench. Of the $2000 needed for this, about $750 has been contributed so far.

The small size of the park--it is really a pocket park--limits the equipment that might be placed there to attract children. Health and safety considerations rule out swings or a sand box, but Elaine Hardy has found there is park equipment available that lets children experiment with sounds and music-making and fits smaller spaces. The City staff and volunteers who made Corey Cafagna Park happen all hope donations can be raised, and grants and other resources found, so this equipment can be installed. Kids making music in the Park will make it truly Corey's Park.

You can send your donations anytime to City of East Lansing, attention Tim McCaffrey, 410 Abbot Road, East Lansing 48823. Checks should be made out to City of East Lansing, with "Corey Cafagna Park" in the subject line. Donations are tax deductible.

On June 4, 2016, this article was updated to correct the new start time of the event. It will begin at 5:30 pm. This article was originally published on May 12, 2016.