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Recreation and Community Facilities 12-8-06 Recreation and Community Facilities VIII.RECREATION AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES Community facilities and services are important factors in the quality of life in a community. As a community grows, existing facilities and services need to expand to maintain this quality of life. This chapter provides an overview of the recreation facilities,emergency services, solid waste services,Town government facilities, educational facilities and library facilities available to Town residents. Recreation The Town owns and maintains 23 parks on approximately372acres, including 11 parks with facilities for active recreation. The Town recently purchased the Greystone / Carnwarth Farm property next to the Hudson River, which consists of 98 acres of fields and forest, with a historic estate house, gardens and a baseball field. Town residents also have access to two large recreational facilities that are in or near the Town, but are notowned and maintained by the Town.Stony Kill, operated by the State of New York, is on the southern border of the Town,andconsists of 735 acres of parkland, 285 of which are in the Town of Wappinger. Bowdoin Park, operated by the County, consists of 299 acres, andis just north of Wappinger Creek along the Hudson River. Details of theTown recreational facilities are outlined in the following table. Town of Wappinger Comprehensive Plan81 Recreation and Community Facilities TOWN OF WAPPINGER: RECREATIONAL FACILITIES PARKLOCATIONACRESFACILITIES/FEATURES Greystone/ Wheeler Hill Road98.6Historic estate house and gardens, ballfield and Carnwarth Farm panoramic Hudson River views Card Road Card Rd.- S. Fowlerhouse Road0.3½ Basketball court Quiet Acres Helen Drive12.2Ballfield, swings, slide, Basketball court, Summer playground, pavilion, storage Martz Field / Pye Lane11.3Ballfield, 2 tennis courts, volleyball courts, Montfort Road picnic area, basketball court, swings, slide, field Building house, maintenance barn, summer program Robinson Lane Robinson Lane40.0Ballfields (10), swings, field house, pavilion, Complex summer program, picnic area, restrooms Castle Point S. River Road40.0Ballfields (2), playground equipment, picnic area, shelter, summer program, restrooms Schlathaus Park All Angels Hill Road5.0Bandstand, house, storage, garage Chelsea Boat Front Street--Boat ramp Ramp Spook Hill Park Spook Hill Road5.3Fieldhouse, pavilion, swings, slide, handball court, summer playground, modular play area Angelbrook Rich Drive4.0Open field Ye Olde Apple Kent Road/All Angels Hill Road5.4Pond Orchard Airport Park Airport Drive10.0Soccer fields, field house pavilion Rockingham Regency Drive / Soccerfield Drive11.5Soccer fields, swings, pond Fleetwood Fleetwood Drive2.0Swings, basketball Reese Park Creek Road40.0Trails,restrooms Briar Lane Briar Lane21.8Undeveloped Deer Run Deer Run Road6.2Undeveloped Dutchess Park Salem Road3.2Undeveloped (Arkway) Moccasin Hill Boxwood Close13.4Undeveloped Noto Subdivision Woodland Court15.2Undeveloped Pond Area Joan Lane8.5Undeveloped Rymer Old Hopewell Road30.3Undeveloped Tall Trees Amherst Lane1.6Undeveloped Meadowood Old Hopewell Road and Sprout Cr.11.8Undeveloped The 2004 Survey included a range of questions regarding residents’ needs and levels of satisfaction with Town parks. Key findings are: x One-half or more of the respondents were familiar with the following sevenTown facilities(of 23 total): Martz Field / Montofort Road Building, Robinson Lane, Schlathaus Park, Reese Park,Spook Hill Park, Airport Park and the Chelsea Boat Ramp. x Residents use Town parks just about as often as County and State parks, private recreational facilities, and parks outside of Wappinger. Town of Wappinger Comprehensive Plan82 Recreation and Community Facilities x While over half of respondents felt that their recreational needs are met by existing Town facilities, over one-quarter felt that the Town needs additional recreational facilities. x When asked, “If more facilities in Wappinger were available, which of the stnd following would you participate in?” “Nature enjoyment” was 1, picnicking 2, rdthth walking or hiking 3, swimming 4, and winter sports (ice skating, skiing) 5. x Although there was not overwhelming support for the acquisition of land for active recreation (such as ball fields) and for the development of a swimming pool facility,20 percent of respondents felt that acquisition of land for active recreation was the single-most important investment the Town should make, and 13percent felt thatacquiring land for a swimming pool facility was the single-most important investment. x Nature preserves and trails were the top items (over 80% combined) for recreational amenities that respondentswould like to see more of in their neighborhoods. The Town Recreation Commission is monitoring activities and needs, andisactively pursing new opportunities to better meet the recreational needs of residents. The top priorities of the Commission are currently: x Develop a year-round swimming pool. The Towniscurrentlyusing a private outdoorfacility at the Cross Court property for the Town Summer Camp program. x Develop a roller hockey / skateboard park. Robinson Lane Park is currently being considered for this facility. x Develop more athletic fields.Existing baseball fields are sufficient for existing uses,but the community needs more soccer fields.TheRecreationCommission is exploring opportunities to expand to properties adjacent to Robinson LanePark. x Develop more tennis courts.Tennis court usageis currently at an all-time high. x Develop a large indoor space / gymnasium.TheRecreationCommission is currently working with the Wappinger Central School District to use itsfacilities. The Commission is exploring the feasibility of constructing a “bubble building” for approximately $700,000.Thelife expectancy of such building is approximately 20 years. Town of Wappinger Comprehensive Plan83 Recreation and Community Facilities x Enhance Schlanthaus Park with the cooperation of the local Rotary organization. Develop a seasonal outdoor ice-skating rink. Goal Develop recreational and cultural facilities and programs that are adequate to serve the Town’s current and future populations. Objectives A.Anticipate future needs and provide appropriate locations for facilities, services and programs. Locate recreational facilities in such a way that they are compatible with Town development patterns. There are a number of potential sites for acquisition by the Town for recreational purposes. These are: x Lands around Robinson Lane Park. x Cranberry Hills/Ketcham Trails property, consisting of 327 acres.This site has potential for both active and passive recreational uses. x Jekoce Acres camp property for a community recreation center and swimming pool. The adjacent Sun-Up construction storage site that borders the lake to the westcould be a part of the future facility. x DeerHill. This Wheeler Hill Road property has recently been put up for sale. This was identified as a new opportunity to meet the Town’s growing recreational needs. x Lands adjacent to Castle Point Park. The former VA Hospital water plant property and building, located opposite the entrance to Castle Point Park, is available for immediate acquisition from the Federal Government.The land could be used for parking and the building re-used for cultural, recreational, tourism functions, and fora possible Teen Center. Town of Wappinger Comprehensive Plan84 Recreation and Community Facilities Recommendation 1.The Town should define a method for evaluating these opportunities and engage the public in the decision-making process. 2.The Town should create a fund for potential landacquisitions for recreational uses. B.Maximize community use of existing facilities. The Town Administration and the Recreation Commission have been engaged in developing the following properties for greater public use: x Carnwath Farm. Continue to develop the Greystone/Carnwath Farm property for recreational uses.A sports museum will be a tenant for one part of the property. x Robinson Lane Park. The Recreation Commission has proposed a one-mile trail around the perimeter of the park, and recommends developing a rollerblade and skateboard facility in the park. A second vehicular access is needed to resolve congestion and safety problems during larger events. x Rymer Park. Currently undevelopedwith approximately30 acres,the park includes large areas of slopes and wetlands with little level land. A conceptual plan had been preparedto improve the park for public use, including a small building, bathrooms, and a play/picnic area suitable for summer camp use. This property could be linked to the Wappinger Creek Greenway Trail via the nearby Town sewer line easement and proposed multi-family development between Old Hopewell and Route 9D (behind the cell tower, Emergency Services and Town Hall buildings). Specific recreational amenities were requested consistently in the write-in questions of the 2004 Survey. The Town will need to prioritize these requests, and identify whether existing properties can meet these needs, or whether new properties would be necessary. The most requested amenities were: x Ice skating rink, and more winter activities x Shaded picnic areas or pavilions at recreation sites, more benches x More restrooms Town of Wappinger Comprehensive Plan85 Recreation and Community Facilities x Lighting on athletic fields for nighttime use x Teen center x New larger senior center The Recreation Committee is also working on developing the following high priority amenities: x Swimming pool x Additional athletic fields x Additional tennis courts x Gymnasium Recommendation Identify a methodology to use in comparing various alternatives, andinvolve public in decision-making process. C. Develop Greenways along the Hudson River, Wappinger Creek and Sprout Creek for public recreation. TheHudson River has ecological, scenic and historical value, as well as being a great recreational resource. Recommendations Hudson River 1.Develop the Hudson River Greenway trail from Castle Point Park to Wappinger Creek.Sixty-nine percent of residents participating in the 2004 Survey were in favor of this measure, versus 11percent opposed. 2.Improve access to the Hudson River, including acquisition of the Chelsea Marina and improved trailer parking and boat storage; pedestrian access at Castle Point Park and Carnwath Farm.(Fifty-fourpercent of residents participating in the 2004 Survey were in favor of purchasing theChelsea Marina and waterfront lands, with Town of Wappinger Comprehensive Plan86 Recreation and Community Facilities only18percent opposed.)Thelumber yard to the north of Chelsea hamlet may be apossiblefuture location for parking or other facilities. 3.Integrate and improve facilities to support the Hudson River Greenway Water Trail for canoers and kayakers. Provide access at Reese Park for hand launch of small boats andcamping by permit at Reese and Castle Point parks. Wappinger Creek 4.Develop a cooperative partnership with the Village to make the best recreational use of Wappingers Lake, including possible dredging of the lake. 5.Continue to develop and expand the Wappinger Greenway Trail as a joint Village and Town project. 6.Improve access to Wappinger Creek (Fifty-nine percent of residents participating in the 2004 Survey were in favor of improving access, with only 15percent opposed.) General Recommendations for Greenways 7.Develop a Waterfront Revitalization Plan.The Townshould, either independently or in cooperation with the Town of Poughkeepsie and the Village of Wappingers Falls, prepare a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program(LWRP). LWRPs have beentouted as among the most efficient and effective programs ever created for waterfront revitalization. An LWRP provides clear priorities and action steps that implement Federal, State and local coastal zone management. D.Develop additional trails throughout the Town to meet public demand for nature and walking trails. Recommendations 1.Develop more jogging andwalking paths and trails on existing Town-owned lands.The 2004 Survey showed significant demand for nature preserves and trails, with over 80 percent of residents interested in having these facilities in their own neighborhoods. 2.Consider the use of utility line easements for possible trails and connections to areas of public open space. There are 24 miles of utility right-of-waysin the Town, which could be used as trails through Town agreement with utility companies.(Sixty-one percent of residents participating in the 2004 Survey were Town of Wappinger Comprehensive Plan87 Recreation and Community Facilities in favor of the Town using these right of ways for recreational purposes, with only 11 percent opposed.) 3.Developbike paths where appropriate as opportunities arise. (Forty-three percent of residents participating in the 2004 Survey said that at least one member of the family would use bike paths and bike lanes if they existed throughout the Town.) 4.Explore the feasibility of developing a connecting trailfromStony Kill north along wetland boundaries to the elementary and middle schools, finally connecting withReese Park. Emergencyand Protection Services The Town of Wappinger’s police coverage is provided by the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Department, which provides regular patrols to all areas of the Town in marked patrol vehicles 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, with particular attention to areas with more activity. The Sheriff is also responsible for responding to 911 emergency calls in the Town. The Sheriff’s office provides additional services to the Town’s schools. Deputies are assigned to schools in order to teach safety lessons, maintain order, and provide a general sense of security. The Town Wappinger fire services consist of four different fire companies: Hughsonville, Wappingers, New Hackensack and Chelsea. These companies supply comprehensive fire coverage for the Town. For more information, please refer to the companion volume to this Plan, Inventory and Analysis. Solid Waste The existing and proposed County programs and private carriers generallyhandle solid waste and recycling issues in the Town. The Town has a recycling center and a bulk pick-up site.There is particular concern with the proper disposal of hazardous wastes such as used motor oil, anti-freeze, used paint, fertilizers, pesticides, and other household chemicals. The key is to make proper disposal of these wastes easier and more user- friendly. Goal Maintain and enhance the Town-wide comprehensive recycling program. Town of Wappinger Comprehensive Plan88 Recreation and Community Facilities Objectives A.Encourageincreased rates of recycling. Recommendation: Increase quality and quantity of public education and announcements locally. Use the Town website for information, announcements and reminders. B.Encourage proper disposal of hazardous wastes. Recommendation:Provide local drop-off and pick-up of hazardous wastes.Provide collectionservicesat the Town recycling center as extension of theCounty program. C.Monitorrecycling rates, solid waste disposal rates, and hazardous waste disposal rates through objective measurements. Town Government Facilities The Town Hall on Middlebush Road provides 16,000 square feet of space for offices and meeting rooms. All Town offices, except for the Recreation Office at Schlathaus Park and the Town Highway facilities by Old Route 9, are located in the Town Hall. The Town Hall also includes facilities for Town Court, which are no longer large enough to accommodate the needs of the Court. The Town Highway site includes a garage, offices, equipment storage buildings, a salt storage bin and a Sheriff substation. Education The Town of Wappinger is located within three school districts. The majority of the Town falls within the Wappingers Central School District. A small area in the southwest corner of the Town falls within the Beacon City School District and an even smaller area in the Northeast corner falls within the Arlington Central School District. th The Wappingers Central School District covers 120 square miles, and is the 9 largest central school district in New York State, with over 11,000 students. It has 10 elementary schools, two of which are located within the Town. The district has two junior high school and two high schools; one of each are located in the Town. The district is considering plans to build another school facility, administrative offices, bus depot, and athletic fields on a property within the District.The location of existing school facilities and school districts in the Town are shown in the companion volume to this Plan, Inventory and Analysis. Town of Wappinger Comprehensive Plan89 Recreation and Community Facilities Library The Grinnell Library serves the needs of the residents of the Town of Wappinger and the Village. The Library is located in an historic building on East Main Street in the Village. The building has approximately 4,000 square feet of space and in excess of 27,000 volumes. The building was constructed in 1887; an addition was completed in the early 1980s.Grinnell Library is a member of the Mid-Hudson Libraries; this affiliation provides residents with additional services and a larger resource base. J:\DOCS2\500\Wappinger\Comprehensive Plan\Revised Chapters\Recreation and Community Facilities 12-8-06.doc Town of Wappinger Comprehensive Plan90