Groundbreaking for neglected park renovation with arts activation planned

Creative Placemaker, Steve Kehayes announces plans for much-needed neighborhood park redevelopment.

Steve Kehayes has been dogged in his mission to turn Clinton Street Park into a neighborhood asset for play and relaxation.  In one of Paterson, NJs most neglected parks, neighbors are about to see a crime-riddled eyesore turn into a place for them to recreate, relax, play and self-express.  Steve Kehayes, Director of Community Development for Paterson Habitat for Humanity, has championed the effort through activism, fundraising, advocating, planning, problem-solving in every manner for a number of years.  As his creative placemaking practicum while in our course, Steve, who has no background in the arts, imagined that a portion of the land which is a naturally terraced retaining wall might make for a perfect amphitheatre.  He met with numerous local and regional theatre professionals who advised him as to what was needed for production as well as programming to cultivate neighborhood engagement and animation.  Learn more from this video about the groundbreaking.  (Note: Steve's remarks start at 1:23).