Fundraising goal reached for fence around downtown Riverhead garden

The new playground at downtown’s River and Roots Community Garden will soon include a fence around the newly-built park, thanks to donations from the community members and local groups.

River and Roots announced Tuesday that the group quickly reached their $1,000 to cover the full cost of the fence after the Riverhead Rotary Club gave an initial $4,500 grant.

The community garden group thanked community members and the Cornell Cooperative Extension for helping to fund the fence.

“Once again, our fantastic community, including Cornell Cooperative Extension, has proven what a great place we live in and that downtown Riverhead is an exciting and healthy place to live, work and play,” River and Roots said in a statement.

The new playground – the only one in downtown Riverhead — was finished earlier in May and is located next to the garden near Grangebel Park. The park features a slide, seesaw and jungle gym.

The playground cost the town $51,374 to build, according to a resolution passed by the Town Board four months ago. The project is being funded by a Community Development Block Grant, which comes from federal funds, rather than town property taxes.