Town Board kicks off Washington town park renovation talks

MILLBROOK — The first in a series of workshop discussions on renovations to Washington’s Town Park led Town Board members to seek additional input from professional engineers.

Members of the town board convened Thursday, July 23, to discuss a feasibility study prepared by former board member Mike Murphy, who had toured the park facilities and surveyed town residents about the project last year. The park, which includes the town pool, playground, athletic fields, and several pavilions, has been the subject of renovation talks for several years.

“Aging infrastructure, rising maintenance costs, and safety concerns all underscore the need for a clear, unified vision,” said Murphy in his report.

Board members decided to seek an engineer’s professional opinion on the park’s structure before moving forward with any further decisions. They cited a desire to understand the whole scope of the project, including suggestions from residents for new park features recorded in Murphy’s report and much needed improvements to aging facilities.

Murphy’s feasibility study identified several possible projects for renovation: an in-ground pool, hiking trails, dog park, and pickleball courts were among the responses given by residents. But at Thursday’s meeting, several board members stressed the importance of adopting a master plan instead of a piecemeal approach.

That led the board to pursue an engineer’s perspective. While there are some smaller renovations that seem inevitable — like reshingling the frayed roof of the large pavilion and adding a second entrance to the park — board members want a more comprehensive view of the project before taking action on any particular improvements.

Murphy estimated the total renovation cost at between $2.5 million and $3.7 million.

The park has remained a popular destination for Washington and Millbrook residents. But upcoming pool projects in neighboring communities — such as Millerton’s pool, which is planned to open in summer 2027 — have made updating Washington’s facilities a priority.

“It used to be packed,” said attendee and former board member Robert Audia. Audia grew up in Millbrook, and remembers long summer days spent at the park as a teenager. “The Village used to bus kids up from town,” he said, “and we’d spend all day there.”

One of Murphy’s primary short-term recommendations is to establish a community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to support the park. That would allow Washington to raise money through philanthropic donations and grants in support of recreation facilities. He also suggests opening the park from sunrise to sunset, and to adjust park fees to allow for residents who want to use the park rather than the pool. Currently, there is a flat fee for entry.