Heastie, Barrett commit to funding Phase Two of Eddie Collins Park Improvements

Heastie, Barrett commit to funding Phase Two of Eddie Collins Park Improvements

State Representative Didi Barrett (D-106), center, visited Eddie Collins Park in Millerton on Thursday, July 25, with, from left, North East Town Supervisor Chris Kennan, New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Dutchess County Legislator Chris Drago (D-19) and Village Mayor Jennifer Najdek.

Photo by Josie Duggan

MILLERTON — Carl Heastie, Speaker of the New York State Assembly, joined State Representative Didi Barrett (D-106) at Eddie Collins Memorial Park in Millerton Thursday, July 25 to announce that Phase Two renovation of the park that includes a swimming pool will have its funding ensured.

Phase Two includes, besides a pool, a bathhouse with offices, a concession stand and a community room.

The initial renovation of the park cost $2.2 million, was completed in 2022 and included regrading of the park, a new entrance and paved parking areas, a soccer field, accessible playground upgrades, new basketball courts and pavilion improvements.
The remaining phase is estimated to cost approximately $7.5 million.

In May Village trustees voted to apply for a $6.3 million grant under the NY SWIMS intiative, a capital grant program included in the 2025 New York State budget.

The Village also has applied for a $675,000 grant through New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

Speaker Heastie is currently on his annual statewide tour and visited the park and its recent additions. Heastie and Barrett were joined by several members of the Millerton community, including Stephen Waite, former Village of Millerton trustee, Town Supervisor Christopher Kennan, Village Mayor Jennifer Najdek and Jennifer Dowley and Jeanne Vanneck, advocates for the transformation of the park.

Heastie and Barrett pledged to provide funding for whatever costs not covered by the state grants.
“Somehow we will figure out how to fund this entire project,” Heastie said.

The Speaker said he is dedicated to providing opportunities to New York state residents, regardless of ability.
“A new pool is another step in our continued efforts to provide all communities accessible opportunities to swim,” he said.
In a statement, Barrett said, “I’m pleased to welcome Speaker Carl Heastie back to my district and to announce funding for a new, state-of-the-art pool and pool house at Eddie Collins Memorial Park.

“This park has been an integral part of the northeastern Dutchess community for generations, and I worked closely with Millerton Mayor Jenn Najdek, North East Town Supervisor Chris Kennan and the project leaders to help them secure phase one funding, including $125,000 for handicap-accessible bleachers at the baseball field.

“Today’s announcement will ensure that phase two of this important project will be completed, and that residents and visitors alike will have a place to learn to swim and to gather.”

The Millerton community has witnessed the revitalization of Eddie Collins Memorial Park over recent years. The park brings the community together, and with its continued expansion seeks opportunities to provide accessible engagement for all.
The planned pool would be located in front of the playground, with an L-shaped pool house beside it. Dowley and Vanneck said the pool house would include a commercial kitchen, community room and other community-oriented spaces.

Decisions on the grant applications should be announced starting in September.

Latest News

Back to school
Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — The first day of school on Thursday, Sept. 4, at Webutuck Elementary School went smoothly, with teachers enthusiastically greeting the eager young students disembarking from buses. Excitement was measurable, with only a few tears from parents, but school began anyway.


Keep ReadingShow less
Millerton’s Demitasse shutters Main Street storefront, goes digital

Demitasse owner Hayden McIntosh Geer said she is excited by the shift to online sales.

Photo by Hayden McIntosh Geer

MILLERTON — Some might have argued that launching an in-person retail business during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t advisable. But against all odds, Demitasse in Millerton managed not only to build a thriving, mission-based brand in a small storefront on Main Street, it developed a loyal customer base and provided a welcoming space for visitors. Last week, Demitasse announced it is closing-up shop and moving fully online.

“We are excited,” said owner Hayden McIntosh Geer, who opened Demitasse with her husband, Richard, in 2020. “Though we will miss our customers and the camaraderie on Main Street, it feels right and there was no second guessing.”

Keep ReadingShow less
New Millerton police cruisers arrive to replace fire-ravaged vehicles

Millerton Police Chief Joseph Olenik shows off the new gear. Brand new police cruisers arrived last week.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — The Millerton Police Department has received two new patrol cars to replace vehicles destroyed in the February 2025 fire at the Village Water and Highway Department.

The new Ford Interceptors are custom-built for law enforcement. “They’re more rugged than a Ford Explorer,” said Millerton Police Chief Joseph Olenik, noting the all-wheel drive, heavy-duty suspension and larger tires and engine. “They call it the ‘Police Package.’”

Keep ReadingShow less
Amenia back in court over Kent Hollow mine

The main entrance to Kent Hollow Mine at 341 South Amenia Road in Amenia.

Photo by Nathan Miller

AMENIA — Amenia residents and a Wassaic business have filed suit against the Town Board and Kent Hollow Inc., alleging a settlement between the town and the mine amounts to illegal contract zoning that allows the circumvention of environmental review.

Petitioners Laurence Levin, Theodore Schiffman and Clark Hill LLC filed the suit on Aug. 22. Town officials were served with documents for the case last week and took first steps in organizing a response to the suit at the Town Board meeting on Thursday, Sept. 4.

Keep ReadingShow less