Saranac Lake, NY — The Glenn and Carol Pearsall Adirondack Foundation has awarded a grant to Play ADK to support its free programming for infants and toddlers at its Clubhouse in downtown Saranac Lake.

Play ADK concluded its first summer of free Infant and Toddler Playgroups this year, serving over 500 children ages 0-3. Thanks to support from the Pearsall Foundation, as well as other funders and donors, Play ADK will continue hosting playgroups year-round, at no cost to families. These sessions are held three times per week — Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon — at Play ADK’s Clubhouse, located at 84 Main Street in Saranac Lake. The Clubhouse is also open for Free Play from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Saturday. Current hours can be found on Play ADK’s website as well as its social media channels.

“It’s important for this programming to remain free and accessible to all families,” said Deb Roddy, chair of Play ADK’s Board of Trustees. “Small program grants like the one we received from the Pearsall Foundation allow us to continue operating The Clubhouse while maintaining a focus on our capital campaign. The feedback we’ve received from parents has been overwhelmingly positive, with a specific emphasis on the socialization aspect of these playgroups, both for parents and children. For kids, socializing with their peers in play-focused settings is critical to healthy physical and emotional growth. For new parents, it’s deeply meaningful to develop connections with other families, as it helps create a network of support, which is so important in rural communities like ours.”

Play ADK’s Clubhouse programming is also supported by Saranac Lake Elk’s Club, Sylvamo, Adirondack for Kids and Explore Adirondack Frontier, as well as donations from families using the space. 

Play ADK is working to transform a historic, two-story warehouse and large industrial site on Depot Street in Saranac Lake into a 15,000 square foot state-of-the-art children’s museum. Since purchasing the property, Play ADK has completed a site survey, contracted with an architect and begun conceptual development.

“Earlier this summer, we kicked off our conceptual development process,” said Rob Carr, Play ADK’s executive director. “This includes site planning, detailed renderings and exhibit design. We are very happy with the progress we’ve made and it’s especially encouraging that we’ve been able to simultaneously provide play-based programming while we work towards creating an essential community resource and attraction.”

Fundraising continues as Play ADK looks to secure funding to bring the project to completion. If you’re interested in supporting Play ADK with a charitable gift, or want to learn more, visit playadk.org or contact Rob Carr at robcarr@playadk.org or (518) 888-2702.

Photos courtesy of Play ADK.