Whose idea was it to revitalize Eddie Collins Memorial Park, and how did it get started?

As a Village of Millerton Trustee in 2016, Stephen Waite approached his fellow trustees and then-Mayor Martin Markonic with the idea of redeveloping Eddie Collins Memorial Park due to its poor condition and the permanent closing of its swimming pool. The Village Board agreed and created a committee of dedicated trustees and volunteers to see the project forward. Although the Committee has lost and gained members over time, the group's core – Stephen Waite, Jenn Najdek, and Jeanne Vanecko – has remained involved. A Campaign Steering Committee was added in 2020 to help with fundraising. Please see the list of current members of both committees on the Team section of the website:  millertonpark.org

How did the park design get started?

The Village applied for and received funds from a Hudson River Valley Greenway grant to devise what is called a Conceptual Master Plan. The committee developed the plan based on data collected from a 2016 recreation survey of town and village residents. The survey asked residents to rank what they wanted most from the updated park. Following several public meetings, the project was modified and ultimately accepted by the Village and Town Boards in 2019. The plan is continually being updated based on new ideas and available funding.

How is the construction for the new park being funded?

Construction costs are being covered primarily by grants and individual donations. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation launched the funding effort in December 2019 by awarding the village with a $600,000 matching grant. The county followed in 2020 with a Community Development Block Grant and later added $328,000 from a Municipal Investment Grant. The Village and Town of North East have also made contributions without increasing taxes, while the rest has come from generous individuals and local businesses. As of May 2022, $2,039,000 has been raised for the project.

Please visit https://www.millertonpark.org/finance for more information.

How long will it take to complete?

The entire project now consists of two major phases and will take several years to complete. Construction on Phase 1 began in August 2021 and will be completed by early fall 2022. The first phase includes two basketball courts, a regulation-size soccer field, a new entrance, a parking lot for 100 cars, a renovated playground, significant plantings, and a stormwater management system. Phase 2 will include a swimming pool and a bathhouse.  Planning is underway and construction will start once sufficient funds are procured. 

Will the park close during construction?

Yes. The park will be closed while under construction to protect visitors from injury. The park closed in the fall of 2021 for Phase 1 construction and is tentatively scheduled to reopen in August/September 2022. Please get in touch with Village Hall at (518)-789-4489 to find out the exact status of the park if you intend to use it.

Will the brick arch remain?

Yes. The committee is exploring offering the public an opportunity to buy bricks with names engraved on them for a memorial walkway into the park beginning at the arch. Funds raised would support the cost of installing the walkway.

Will the park get a new name?

At this time, the park's name has not changed. The name can only be changed by the Village of Millerton Board of Trustees. For the purpose of beginning anew and building a recreation park with multiple offerings beyond baseball, the committee has referred to the park as Millerton Community Park (a.k.a. Eddie Collins Memorial Park) on this website and materials providing information about the park.

Will the new facilities constructed in the park affect the quality of drinking water or impact the aquifer underneath the park?

No. The engineers carefully analyzed the soil in the park, and construction requires additional tons of clean fill to protect the aquifer and make stormwater drainage more manageable. In addition, the plans comply with State and County regulations.

Why was the large baseball field eliminated?

Once a new and relocated swimming pool (the most sought-after facility in the survey) became the focus of the design, it became clear there would not be enough space for a large baseball field.

Where will “Babe Ruth” play?

Due to declining enrollments, Millerton, Amenia, and Wassaic recently combined their programs into one for children aged 3 – 12. They may have already discussed a program for kids aged 13 and up. For more information, visit the Webutuck Little League Facebook page or email them at webutucklittleleague@gmail.com.

Why was the skate park eliminated?

Besides a dog park, the skate park received the least amount of support in the survey. The Village could add a new skate park sometime in the future should there be space and funding.

Why build a soccer field?

The Committee decided another facility for multiple team sports and open space activities should fill the void of an absent baseball field. In addition, a soccer field has a few benefits, as it's easier to maintain and instantly turns the park into a three-season facility since soccer is primarily a fall sport.

Who will maintain the park and pay for its maintenance?

Municipal employees and outside sources will conduct maintenance.

Maintenance costs will be paid for by the village's recreation budget, fees, and funds from a recently launched endowment that donors established at the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. The endowment will provide the village with an annual revenue stream to help support the park's operations, maintenance, and repairs.

Will there be fees attached to the usage of park facilities?

The village has used fees to help offset the pool and pavilion maintenance costs in the past. There will be fees for using or renting some facilities in the new park, such as the swimming pool and the pavilion. The village will establish those rates in the future. The Committee is determined to see that charges are reasonable and that the vast majority of the park remains free and open to the public. 

How can I find out what’s going on?

Go to millertonpark.org or email Stephen Waite at millertonpark@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook as well for real-time photo updates @MillertonCommunityPark