Saratoga Springs Participatory Budgeting

12/16/2025

Cycle 4 voting has concluded — thank you all for participating!
We’re grateful to everyone who submitted a project in Cycle 4, as well as the Participatory Budgeting Committee for guiding them through the process.

Four projects will be brought to a vote on tonight's City Council Meeting:

1) Division Street Elementary Paint and Sip Art Night ($800)
A "Paint and Sip" art night for students and their families at Division Street Elementary School. Led by the school's art teacher, families will create paintings together in a fun, guided setting. The event aims to build community and connection between families and the school.

2) Division Street Elementary New Art Room Kiln ($5,900)
A new kiln will be purchased for the Division Street Elementary School art room to replace the aged and inefficient kiln currently in use. The new kiln will allow as many as 3,000 students to enjoy pottery projects over the next ten years.

3) Caffe Lena Folk Club Kids Concert Series ($12,700)
A free and weekly concert series for preschoolers and their caregivers at Caffe Lena. A professional folk trio performs interactive songs to support early childhood development, social skills, and a love of music. The program is drop-in with no barriers to participation.

4) Pitney Meadows Exploration Garden Expansion ($30,000)
This project will expand the children's Exploration Garden at Pitney Meadows Community Farm into Saratoga's first public natural play landscape. It will feature interactive zones for music, gardening, and sensory exploration, all built with natural materials. The space is designed for child-led, unstructured outdoor play and learning.

12/12/2025

Last Day to vote in Cycle 4 of Saratoga Springs Participatory Budgeting!

For information about the program and the Cycle 4 projects, please visit our website! https://www.saratoga-springs.org/2808/Cycle-Four-2025-2026

12/09/2025

Four days left to vote in Cycle 4 of Saratoga Springs Participatory Budgeting!

For information about the program and the Cycle 4 projects, please visit our website! https://www.saratoga-springs.org/2808/Cycle-Four-2025-2026

12/05/2025

Tomorrow, December 6th, Cycle 4 voting will begin!

The Cycle 4 ballot includes nine projects:

Caffe Lena Folk Club Kids Concert Series ($12,700)
A free and weekly concert series for preschoolers and their caregivers at Caffe Lena. A professional folk trio performs interactive songs to support early childhood development, social skills, and a love of music. The program is drop-in with no barriers to participation.

Children's Museum Revolutionary War Education ($8,050)
The Children's Museum at Saratoga will create and present educational programs about the lives of children during the American Revolution. Programs will be offered at the museum, in Saratoga Springs classrooms, and at public spaces like the farmers' market. It connects local history to the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations.

Division Street Elementary Paint and Sip Art Night ($800)
A "Paint and Sip" art night for students and their families at Division Street Elementary School. Led by the school's art teacher, families will create paintings together in a fun, guided setting. The event aims to build community and connection between families and the school.

Division Street Elementary New Art Room Kiln ($5,900)
A new kiln will be purchased for the Division Street Elementary School art room to replace the aged and inefficient kiln currently in use. The new kiln will allow as many as 3,000 students to enjoy pottery projects over the next ten years.

National Museum of Racing Field Trips ($7,726)
Funds field trips for hundreds of local students from Saratoga Springs and the Public Library's Afterschool Program. The money will cover the cost of bus transportation and any related expenses. This removes financial barriers, allowing students to experience the museum's history and art collections.

Pitney Meadows Exploration Garden Expansion ($30,000)
This project will expand the children's Exploration Garden at Pitney Meadows Community Farm into Saratoga's first public natural play landscape. It will feature interactive zones for music, gardening, and sensory exploration, all built with natural materials. The space is designed for child-led, unstructured outdoor play and learning.

Saratoga Arts Young Writers Poetry Workshop ($8,450)
A free, six-week poetry workshop for youth ages 10-18, led by the Saratoga Springs Poet Laureate, Jay Rogoff. Participants will learn writing skills and explore different poetic styles, culminating in an optional public reading at Caffe Lena. The program aims to foster creative expression and literacy in a supportive environment.

Saratoga Farmers' Market Kids Club & Nutrition Education ($29,993)
This project expands the Farmers' Market Kids Club to run year-round and partners with Cornell Cooperative Extension to provide nutrition education at the market and in four local elementary schools. Children can earn "produce coins" at the market to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables at the market. The goal is to increase access to healthy, local food and teach lifelong healthy habits.

Saratoga Springs Housing Authority - Jefferson Terrace Playground ($31,500)
A new playground will be installed at the Jefferson Terrace housing complex. It will provide a safe and dedicated space for children living there to play, socialize, and be active. The playground is intended to foster community and support child development.

12/04/2025

https://www.saratogian.com/2025/12/03/year-of-the-child-fourth-cycle-of-participatory-budgeting-to-begin-this-weekend/

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — At Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, the projects for the fourth and what could be the final round of Participatory Budgeting were announced, with voting to begin on Sa…