Recreation Commission unveils plans for new parks in Amenia, Wassiac

Recreation Commission unveils plans for new parks in Amenia, Wassiac

Conceptual design plans for two new parks were detailed by Jane Didona of Didona Associates at the regular meeting of the Amenia Recreation Commission Tuesday, Feb. 27.

Leila Hawken

AMENIA — About 10 residents attended the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission Tuesday, Feb. 27, to hear details of conceptual plans for recreational enhancement through the phased development of two town parks.

Landscape architect Jane Didona of Didona Associates in Danbury, who has been working with the commission for more than a year, presented conceptual design plans for the dual projects, expected to be multiphased over several years of development.

One project, Amenia Green, would improve the town-owned land adjacent to the Town Hall, and the other, Wassaic Park, would develop acreage abutting Wassaic Brook and the Rail Trail and include a new playground adjacent to Gridley Chapel.

Questions from residents mainly sought clarification with some concern expressed about future cost, although all comments were favorable toward the plans.

“Play is an important aspect of everyone’s life and the life of their community,” Didona said, introducing the plans.

Conceptual plan for Wassaic Park. Didona Associates

Wassaic Park

Wassaic Park, Didona said, holds about 9 landlocked acres, with the area south of the brook considered to be a floodplain. Recent drawings have moved the half-acre dog run to another location within the park.

Speaking of dog runs, Didona said, breeds should be kept separated according to their temperaments and they need to be at least 350 feet from any residence.

Also requiring separation according to age group is the playground area anticipated for the land adjacent to Gridley Chapel. Toddlers and young children should have playground equipment that stands apart from equipment used by older children.

Planning has been done in cooperation with officials from the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) who have visited the site and made recommendations to assist with meeting regulations and eventually submitting grant applications.

Included in the planning is a recreational sports field that can be used for a variety of sports. A pump track and skate park were moved within the planning to a different location within the park to offer access from the Rail Trail and accommodate inclusion of a walking trail around its perimeter.

The land area to be converted to Wassaic Park and the Gridley Chapel yard is largely owned by the Wassaic Project. The owners have indicated that the pump track area would be developed by the Wassaic Project and the land leased to the town for $1 a year. The town would assume responsibility for insurance.

An existing small pond at the site could be used for winter skating, surrounded by a short walking trail, Didona said.

“We have to keep the brook cool because it is stocked with trout,” Didona explained while outlining the group of improvements to facilitate fishing within the park, including the construction of a fishing platform, accessibility for people with disabilities, and other improvements. The DEC has offered to assist with construction of the fishing access features.

Expert in landscaping, Didona described the presence of large amounts of invasive plants on the site, noting that grant funding is readily available if planning includes environmentally desirable plantings and features.


Conceptual plan for Amenia Green. Didona Associates

Amenia Green

Review of the plans at the Tuesday meeting, Didona explained, had focused more on Wassaic Park because plans for Amenia Green had already been accepted by the town in June 2023. Responding to a resident’s request at the end of the meeting, however, Didona reviewed the plans for Amenia Green, noting the planning phases are nearing completion for that project.

The Amenia Green plans envision correction of the existing drainage issues, expanded parking opportunities, a walking trail around the perimeter of the green area, a pavilion to offer concerts, and a splash pool for the playground area with sheltered seating for adults.

Details of the drainage plans involve new technology including underdrains combined with newly developed drainage fabric to allow water to seep away, an alternative to clay pipes. The system also uses a gravel layer, but Didona explained that soil testing will determine the volume of the gravel layer.

“There will be more places for water to go and to be absorbed gradually,” Didona said.


Next Steps

Recreation Commission secretary Peter McCaffrey noted that this planning for both park areas is akin to a master plan for the multiphase, multiyear effort.

Speaking of the phased program, Didona said that the town’s Recreation Commission needs to “build momentum” toward the next steps in the phased program of recreational park enhancement.

Commenting after the meeting when asked about the next step, McCaffery replied that the Recreation Commission will study the plan and focus on what is needed for the first phase, including surveying and mapping of wetlands and floodplain, and assessing impact on endangered species in the area, notably salamander and bog turtles.

The next steps will also call for the creation of formalized design drawings by an engineer, in advance of receiving cost estimates for construction.

To view images of the park plans, go to www.ameniany.gov

Latest News

Demolition of Millerton’s fire-damaged highway and water building begins

Demolition crews from BELFOR Property Restoration began demolishing the fire-ravaged Water and Highway Department building in the Village of Millerton on Monday, Oct. 27

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — The long-awaited demolition of Millerton’s Highway and Water Department building began Monday, Oct. 27, marking a major milestone in the village’s recovery from the February fire that destroyed the facility.

The demolition, handled by BELFOR Property Restoration, is now underway. Eddie Collins Park, located next to the site, remains open to the public, though visitors are asked to steer clear of the demolition area.

Keep ReadingShow less
Keane Stud developers present environmental impact analysis

A preliminary draft of an impact analysis study for a Keane Stud subdivision application drew residents to a Planning Board meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 22.

Photo by leila Hawken

AMENIA — Residents had the opportunity on Wednesday, Oct. 22, to weigh in on the proposed Keane Stud subdivision, a plan that would divide roughly 605 acres into 27 mostly residential lots, during a meeting of the Amenia Planning Board.

The session was part of the State Environmental Quality Review Act process, following the board’s decision that a Draft Environmental Impact Statement should be prepared to evaluate potential environmental and scenic impacts from the project.

Keep ReadingShow less
Amenia investigates budget officer over use of clerk’s signature
Amenia Town Hall on Route 22.
Nathan Miller

AMENIA — Amenia budget officer Charlie Miller has been accused of submitting the town’s tentative budget with an old signature from Town Clerk Dawn Marie Klingner.

Klingner said she reported the issue to the Town Board in executive session on Oct. 3, prompting members to assign the town’s labor attorney, Robert Schofield, to investigate.

Keep ReadingShow less
Local, county candidates gather for NorthEast-Millerton Library forum

Millerton and North East residents crowded into the NorthEast-Millerton Library Annex on Friday, Oct. 24, to hear from 10 candidates seeking office.

Photo by Christian Murray

MILLERTON — A crowd of about 60 people filled the NorthEast-Millerton Library Annex for a political Q&A session with candidates for local and county offices on Friday, Oct. 24.

Panels of candidates rotated across the stage, answering questions submitted beforehand and impromptu questions from audience members in the room.

Keep ReadingShow less