ALLEGANY, N.Y. — Following a spring and early summer inside, residents at area assisted living facilities are ready to enjoy nature.

At the Field of Dreams assisted living and memory care facility on North Seventh Street, residents will be able to enjoy the outside in style with the opening of the new outdoor trails and recreation area behind the residence.

A ceremony for the opening of the recreation and trails area will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday and will include attendance by residents and their families, as well as Tanglewood Group owner Nicholas Ferreri and area officials. The event, which is not open to the public due to the pandemic, will also include live entertainment.

Groundbreaking for the $500,000 phase two project at the home took place in April, and now includes a partially enclosed pavilion containing a complete kitchen and restrooms, a dock overlooking a pond with fish, iron fencing, a patio with octagon tables and landscaping. Contractor for the work is Kinley Corporation of Allegany. Phase three for the home, which opened in August of 2019, will eventually include an extension of the walking trail and cottages for more independent residents.

Kelly Carlson, from the business development department, and Activities Director Jessica Paprocki said the outdoor area will be opened to the residents following the ceremony as workmen are still finishing up a few last details at the project.

“They’ll be opening up the park and walkway which goes back toward a huge tree in the middle” of the field, Paprocki explained.

Carlson said a six-passenger golf cart will be available to residents who may have difficulty walking down to the back area for picnics with family members, fishing or just sitting on the dock enjoying the pond.

Residents who commented on the recreation area were Ruth Wagner and Sue Skrabski.

Skrabaski said her daughter and family plan to attend the opening ceremony.

“They’re looking forward to it, it’s going to be gorgeous,” Skrabski said.

Wagner said she, too, is looking forward to the opening.

“It’s a beautiful thing, I sat out there on the patio and watched” the construction, Wagner remarked.

Wagner also noted she had fished in the past and likely will fish in the new pond, if she can get a rod.

When she said that, Paprocki said the facility has fishing rods in storage for the residents to use.

“And we’ll make sure we supply the worms,” Paprocki added with a smile.

For more information on Field of Dreams, call (716) 543-4200.