Greetings and happy Spring to all our friends in the Washington Park Conservancy community. With this change in season also comes a change in leadership here at the Conservancy. As I take over as the new president, I want to thank both Dan McEneny and Sarah Reed for their leadership over the past 3 years as President and Secretary. We owe both Dan and Sarah an immense amount of gratitude for all their hard work. Thankfully, they remain board members so that we will continue to benefit from their energy, passion, and expertise.
When my family moved to Albany back in 2011, we were immediately captivated by the park and the surrounding community. The park, and the neighborhoods surrounding it, is a truly inspiring place. Steeped in history but alive with community, I personally can’t imagine living any other place in the Capital Region. We knew that we had to put down roots in a neighborhood that was close to Washington Park and over a decade later, we’ve never regretted that decision.
As a community, we must recognize that the last several years have been challenging for us all due to COVID-19. And while it cancelled or delayed many of our cherished programs and activities, access to public parks was vital to maintaining our sense of community, our quality of life, and our overall health and wellness. The Conservancy did not stop supporting our mission of preserving, protecting, and promoting historic Washington Park. We used this time to continue our investments in landscape, continue our planning for a new playground, completing the lighting of the Moses fountain, and by continuing our advocacy for responsible park usage and access for all community members.
I’m excited to build on our existing relationships with other community non-profits, neighborhood associations, and our city, county, and state partners. These partnerships in conjunction with an incredibly talented board will accomplish many great things. I look forward to seeing you all in the park very soon.
Jeff Crumpton
President, Washington Park Conservancy