POTSDAM — The Village of Potsdam, the North Country Children's Museum, and SLC Arts will celebrate the new Community Outdoor Music Park in Garner Park in Potsdam on Friday, June 3, from 4-5:30 p.m.

The celebration will feature live music by Animal Crackers and free refreshments.

Three, large-scale, permanent outdoor instruments have been installed at Garner for people of all ages to create music.

The height of the instruments is variable to allow everyone accessibility.

The Outdoor Community Music Park was funded by the North Country Children’s Museum, Jane Lammers & Family, and the VanNess Family Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation.

“For many years, John and Dorotha VanNess identified meaningful ways to impact the quality of life in the greater Potsdam area,” said Max DelSignore, assistant director, Northern New York Community Foundation. “As part of their legacy, they wanted their spirit for supporting the quality of life to endure, especially through efforts in arts and culture. The vision to have permanent musical instruments at Garner Park for the community to enjoy aligns perfectly with the purpose and focus of the VanNess Family Fund.”

Garner Park was recently updated with new sidewalks, swinging benches overlooking the river, picnic tables, street lighting and decorative landscaping.

“Garner Park honors the Village’s longtime mayor, Ruth F. Garner who had the distinction of being the first woman elected to the Village Board of Trustees and to the office of mayor,” said Potsdam Village Mayor Rob Tishler.

Mayor Garner was instrumental in the Village’s downtown revitalization efforts over three decades. Garner Park is the first section of the Village’s Downtown Riverwalk Trail to be completed, the remaining trail and related facilities will be constructed using the Potsdam’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant funding.

Grant funding for the Garner Park project was provided through NYS Senator Joseph Griffo, Clarkson University, St. Lawrence Health Systems and the NYS Department of State with funds provided under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund.

The Village of Potsdam’s Department of Public Works provided in-kind services to prepare the site, landscape design services were provided by LaBella, PC and the project’s general contractor was J.E. Sheehan Construction Corporation.