MILLERTON — Community leaders and residents gathered Saturday, July 11, for a ceremonial groundbreaking celebrating the long-awaited pool and poolhouse planned for Eddie Collins Memorial Park, marking a major milestone in a project years in the making.
The ceremony, which followed the kickoff parade for Millerton’s week-long 175th anniversary celebration, drew local, county and state officials and residents to commemorate a project more than five years in the making to replace the park’s long-defunct pool.
Millerton Mayor Jenn Najdek served as host for the ceremony. She led remarks by recounting the years-long saga that led up to Saturday’s groundbreaking.
Following Najdek were addresses from North East Town Supervisor Chris Kennan, Dutchess County Legislator Chris Drago, New York State Assemblywoman Didi Barrett, New York State Senator Michelle Hinchey and Robert Rodriguez, president of Dormitory Authority of the State of New York — a state agency which assists municipalities across New York with project funding and construction.
Stephen Waite, left, and Millerton Mayor Jenn Najdek pick up the first shovelful of dirt dug up as part of plans to build a new pool at Millerton’s community park.Photo by Nathan Miller
The groundbreaking on Saturday was preceded by a private party at the park on Thursday, July 9, for donors and volunteers who have assisted in bringing a multi-stage renovation of the park’s facilities to fruition.
That gathering heard an address from lifelong Millerton resident Stephen Waite, whose advocacy has spearheaded the work to revitalize Eddie Collins Memorial Park for nearly 10 years.
He recounted his history with the park, starting as a kid when the original pool provided an opportunity to learn to swim and socialize with friends.
“I’ve known this park in so many different ways,” Waite said. “As a child, and now as an adult watching my nieces and nephews enjoy it.”
Ann Sartori, left, and Millerton Mayor Jenn Najdek make a splash despite a lack of water.Photo by Nathan Miller
Waite also urged guests at Thursday’s reception to support the pool and the park’s ongoing revitalization by contributing to an endowment fund. He said the fund would provide long-term financial support for Eddie Collins Memorial Park, helping cover maintenance of the new pool and the sports facilities installed during the project’s first phase.
The park’s revitalization committee has raised $1.7 million toward the endowment fund. Waite said organizers have set an overall fundraising goal of $3 million. The fund will be managed by Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, a nonprofit that helps organizations and municipalities establish endowments to provide long-term financial support.
Construction is scheduled to begin in August, with the pool expected to open in August 2027.
The pool and poolhouse will feature a 75-foot short course olympic pool, with a ramped shallow section allowing people of all ages and abilities to take advantage of the water. Included in the plans is a poolhouse, set to feature a kitchen that will be available for events, a community gathering space indoors, and a patio surrounding the inground pool.
Efforts to revitalize the park kicked off nearly 10 years ago when Waite and a band of local volunteers started conceptualizing new sports facilities, a larger playground and a replacement for the defunct pool. Construction on phase one of the park project — which included improving the soccer field, revamping the baseball field, new basketball courts and the expanded playground — wrapped up in 2022. Phase two comprises the new pool and poolhouse. There are currently no future phases planned.
Red, white and blue paint mark the area of the planned pool and poolhouse at Eddie Collins Memorial Park.Photo by Nathan Miller
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Joey Duncan decorates his bicycle at the Irondale Schoolhouse on Saturday, July 11, in anticipation of wowing visitors and spectators as part of the kickoff parade for Millerton’s nine-day 175th anniversary celebration.
The Saturday’s main event was the parade, which rolled down Main Street around 4 p.m., marking the official start of the nine-day celebration. About 200 people gathered along Main Street’s sidewalks and beneath the shade trees in Veterans Park to watch.
More than two dozen craft vendors set up shop in Eddie Collins Memorial Park on Saturday, selling a myriad of handmade goods ranging from decorative to practical including pottery, jewelry and soaps.
Also taking up residence in the park was a community flea market. Millerton and North East community members peddled gently used items at the park, and two residents in the village signed up to have yard sales put on a map of the town for interested shoppers to go visit.
The day included a dedication ceremony at the Town of North East’s Highway Garage, where town officials dedicated the building to the late Bob Stevens. Stevens served as the town’s Highway Superintendent for more than 20 years at the time of his death in March.
Millerton resident Tim Watson was sitting in his wheelchair underneath the shade at Veterans Park around 2:45 p.m., waiting for the parade to start. He said the week-long celebration coming to fruition and the crowd downtown that came out to celebrate demonstrated a strong sense of community.
“This is a perfect example of community support,” Watson said.
Photo by Nathan Miller
Community youngsters ride their bikes in the Saturday afternoon parade that kicked off the event.
Children enjoy a spin in a carnival ride at the 2025 Fire Department Carnival in Millbrook.
The proceeds from the carnival go to the firehouse. The money helps fund the day-to-day operations, maintains equipment, and provides training.
“Every person who attends the carnival is helping to support our volunteers,” said Millbrook Fire Department Captain and President Kelly Tomasulo.
The event will be located at 3323 Franklin Avenue from 6:00 p.m. to midnight each day. There will also be new food, including gluten-free options, and wine added to the bar booth.
“The continued generosity of our community is what makes it possible for the Millbrook Fire Department to provide the high level of emergency service our residents and neighboring communities have come to rely on,” Tomasulo said.
Past Chief Chris Hawks is the parade marshall this year, joined by the fire station dog, Tyson. Millbrook Mayor Peter Doro will also be walking in the parade with his three children.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our community together as a family, and I’m looking forward to sharing that experience with them while honoring the dedicated volunteers who do so much for Millbrook,” Doro said.
The Millbrook Fire Department answers around 1,000 emergency calls each year.
“They serve our community every day with professionalism, courage, and dedication,” Doro said.
Chris Klingner, left, and Dawn Klingner of the Amenia Rescue Squad serve fried dough at the Fire Department Carnival.Photo by Leila Hawken
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