Millerton recreation heads to Rudd Pond

For some, thoughts of summer camp evoke images of swimming holes, day-long hikes and nightly bonfires. For others it conjures up thoughts of arts and crafts, hanging out in the playground and doing laps in the pool. The village of Millerton is trying to capture the best of both worlds as it moves its summer recreation program from Denny Pool at Eddie Collins Field to Rudd Pond at Taconic State Park. Camp is open to children ages 5 to 13; fees vary for residents of Millerton and North East and for nonresidents.“I think it’s wonderful,” said village Trustee Debbie Middlebrook. “I, as a child, went to the rec program when it was at Rudd Pond, and I think it’s a beautiful environment and I think it’s great to have the program at the park for children.”Rudd Pond is a roughly 2-mile drive from Eddie Collins Field, but it seems like it’s a world away. The parkland offers a natural environment in which campers can hike, picnic, swim, play and run around in to their hearts’ content — under supervision, of course. Rudd Pond has been under public scrutiny for the past couple of years due to the vast proliferation of weeds in the water, making swimming and boating difficult. But the village and town have worked side-by-side with the state to address the problem, bringing in a weed harvester and special benthic barrier mats to help eradicate the milfoil and other undesirable growth in the pond. The approach has been fairly successful, and the beach area at Rudd Pond declared safe and clean for swimmers.“After we saw a presentation from the state parks people about the changes they are making at Rudd Pond we asked them if they were willing to have camp there,” said village Trustee Christine Bates, praising the state for clearing the swimming area and improving the park in general. “It seemed like such a more natural place to have summer camp.”The state has also done work on its bath house and made other physical improvements to the park, Bates said.“They’re investing quite a bit of money there, which is great,” she said. “I think that part of the reason why people are so interested and really enthusiastic and cooperative to figure out how to do this is they wanted to reinvigorate and rekindle that connection of the community to the park.”One way in which that’s being done is through the swimming area. Currently the beach is open on weekends, when lifeguards are on duty. Once camp is in session the beach will be open to town and village residents during camp hours at no cost. Non residents will be able to use the area as well, for a fee.“The idea is that everybody should feel free to use the park,” Bates said, adding adults may also make use of kayaks, canoes and rowboats during park hours.The camp program, Bates said, is especially convenient as it runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; parents can also opt to send their children for half days. Also, if children are at Webutuck’s summer school for the first half of the day there will be a bus service provided to shuttle them to camp for the second part of the day.Another perk is that the North East Community Center (NECC) will be providing breakfast and lunch to the campers at Rudd Pond.“It’s phenomenal,” said Bates, “for $85 a week your kid can get breakfast and lunch and be occupied in a beautiful outdoor natural environment for an entire day. It’s incredible; it’s a deal. And it’s only slightly more expensive if your child is not a resident of the town or village.”Additionally, the village is trying to encourage members of the community to stop by and share what they do with the campers. Already there are volunteers lined up to teach martial arts and yoga.“We’re hopeful as we get this underway we can kind of expand the programming,” said Bates. “I think it would be great if the community felt involved with the summer camp, because it’s something the village and town spend a great deal of money on. That $85 does not cover the cost of camp.”According to Bates’ calculations, the village’s total budget line for recreation last year was more than $100,000; of that roughly $40,000 went to the summer recreation program, although the summer camp is “highly subsidized by the village and town,” she said. For those who have voiced concerns that there isn’t a pavilion at the park, like the one next to Denny Pool, the Village Board has asked the park to erect a tent to protect campers from inclement weather, intense heat and sunshine, as a place to do arts and crafts or simply to hang out and relax.“It’s just such a beautiful environment there and such a great natural resource that we need to utilize,” said Middlebrook. “Camp will still have the same features, just a different location. I think that was the main objective, just to move back to a park-like setting.”Registration for camp is Saturday, June 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Friday, June 20, from 5 to 8 p.m., or by appointment at Village Hall. Bring immunization records and proof of a recent physical to register.The first day of summer camp is scheduled for Monday, June 30; the last day of camp will be Friday, Aug. 8, at 3 p.m.For more information contact Recreation Director Cheryl Katan at 518-789-3401, 845-475-7559 or email cherylkat@yahoo.com. Calls may also be directed to Village Hall at 518-789-4489 or Rudd Pond at Taconic State Park at 518-789-3059.