Beekman playground upgrade discussed by Amenia Recreation Commission

AMENIA —  Upgrades to the playground equipment at Beekman Park, as well as renovations to the concession stand to meet state health regulations, were discussed at the regular meeting of the Amenia Recreation Commission on Tuesday, Aug. 8.

While it had seemed that a missed grant application deadline of July 27 had stymied the project, recreation commission Chairman Paul Winters said that he had contacted Dutchess County grant administrators and learned that an application could still be submitted even though the deadline had passed.

An essential next step in the process is to get an additional bid on the playground equipment portion of the project, a bid is being sought by recreation director Katie Sterk-Grassi and expected soon.

The commission voted to hire the services of Bovee Construction in Poughkeepsie to create design plans for renovation of the concession stand to meet health department standards. The plans would enable the commission to get bids on completing the work.

“If we can get the services of the town’s grant writer, that would move the project ahead,” Winters said.

“If you have a grant writer, you also need an engineering study,” Sterk-Grassi commented.

Discussion centered on a need to clarify what professional help is available through the town offices with commission members indicating that there is funding available in the current year’s budget to support the work of completing the grant application, if needed.

Winters agreed to clarify with the Amenia Town Board whether the services of the town’s grant writer and engineer are available to assist the recreation commission with the project.

The commission expects to be able to vote on the project at its next meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 5, at 7 p.m.

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