Party in the Park planned for Oct. 1

MILLERTON — The community is invited to the grand re-opening of Eddie Collins Memorial Park in Millerton on Saturday, Oct. 1, from noon to 5:30 p.m. The event will celebrate the redevelopment of the park; Phase One is expected to be completed by then.

Work at the park had come to a temporary halt during the winter, explained park redesign committee Chairman Stephen Waite. However, by April the project resumed and Waite said if all goes as intended, Phase One should be done by the end of September.

The updated park will include two basketball courts, a soccer field, parking spaces for 100 cars and close to 100 lovely flowering and shade trees. The handicap-accessible playground has also been upgraded and there’s a new entrance “for easy access,” said Waite.

“These are new or significantly improved features for you to enjoy,” wrote the chairman in a letter to inform community members about the Oct. 1 event. “It’s hard to overstate the importance of what this renewed public space will mean for Millerton and North East as well as surrounding areas.”

Once all phases are completed, the park will include a new and long-awaited pool with a pool house that has showers; dressing rooms; a concession stand; a small commercial kitchen; and a community meeting room.

Waite encourages everyone in the nearby region to check the park’s website for updates, at www.millertonpark.org.

The Oct. 1 celebration will include a basketball tournament; soccer games with Webutuck students; games for children in the playground, courtesy of the NorthEast-Millerton Library; and tasty food prepared by the Millerton Fire Company and American Legion Post 178.

Candy-O’s of Main Street in Millerton will serve “its amazing ice cream,” added Waite, and Bash Bish Bicycles will provide expert advice on cycling regarding repairs and tune-ups.

There will also be live music. The afternoon will wrap up along to a band playing and beer being served by the Legion.

Waite advised folks to keep a lookout for more details as the Oct. 1 date approaches. He added that “the best news is that the park will be open once again to the public for all events. This is such a wonderful achievement for our village and town, you won’t want to miss this celebration.”