The Recreation Advisory Committee approved a donated bench for Black Rock Dog Park and reviewed fee changes including a $20 increase for senior kayak/canoe winter storage. New playground equipment arrived at Dobbs Park, with installation set to begin the last week of January.
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●Resolutions Passed: Approved acceptance of a donated bench from Capriccio's Pizzeria & Restaurant for placement inside Black Rock Dog Park.
●Resolutions Failed: None.
●Applications Reviewed: None.
●Public Comments: None.
●Reports:
●*Village Board & RAC Work Session (Karen Pecora, John Sasso)*: Village exploring extending weekend dog park hours from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; sufficient budget funds identified to purchase an AED for Black Rock Park; discussed allowing limited school district (non-village) resident access to the dog park.
●*Parks Update (John Bouchard)*: Dobbs Park playground equipment arrived on January 12, 2026, with installation scheduled for the last week of January; Duck Pond hosted two evenings of ice skating last week; discussed placement of a Sue Mandel memorial bench at Duck Pond, Senasqua Park, or along the Senasqua walkway.
●*Gouveia Park Update (Nora Nicholson)*: Architect produced revised sketches for the Gouveia house; sewer line installation is complete; DPW to proceed with driveway/loop, lighting, and fencing work.
●*Master Fee Schedule Review*: Day Camp and Tiny Tots Camp fees mostly unchanged, except for a slight increase in the non-resident full season camp fee; Senior Kayak/Canoe winter storage fees to increase by $20; all other fees to remain unchanged.
●*Miscellaneous*: Nora Nicholson proposed creating an informational packet for the Spanish-speaking community; Mark Duncan noted the recreation brochure is already available in Spanish on the Village website.
Croton’s Black Rock Dog Park is getting a new bench, courtesy of a local restaurant, and could see extended weekend hours as the village explores ways to improve the popular off-leash area.
At its January 12 meeting, the Recreation Advisory Committee accepted an offer from Capriccio’s Pizzeria & Restaurant owner Mike Macchia to donate a bench inside the dog park. Committee member John Bouchard will coordinate with Macchia on costs and logistics, while chair Debi Braddick will notify the village of the committee’s approval.
The bench discussion came alongside an update from Karen Pecora and John Sasso, who recently attended a Village Board work session focused on Black Rock Park. Among the items discussed: extending weekend dog park hours from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., installing an automated external defibrillator (AED) using existing budget funds, and possibly allowing a limited number of non-village school district residents to use the dog park.
On the playground front, families waiting for the Dobbs Park replacement will be glad to hear that new equipment arrived on January 12. Bouchard said installation is scheduled to begin during the last week of January.
At Gouveia Park, the sewer line installation is complete, and the Department of Public Works is moving ahead with work on the driveway loop, lighting, and fencing. An architect has also delivered revised sketches for the Gouveia house, according to Nora Nicholson.
The committee reviewed the Recreation Department’s master fee schedule, making modest changes. Most camp fees will stay flat, though non-resident full season Day Camp and Tiny Tots Camp fees will increase slightly. Senior kayak and canoe winter storage fees will go up by $20. All other fees were left unchanged.
In other business, Nicholson raised the idea of assembling informational packets for Croton’s Spanish-speaking community. Mark Duncan noted that the recreation brochure is already available in Spanish on the village website and can be printed for distribution.
The committee’s next meeting is Monday, February 2 at 7:00 p.m.
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Coverage of the Recreation Advisory Committee meeting on 2026-01-12,
Village of Croton-on-Hudson, NY.
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●DPW Update (Debi Braddick & John Bouchard): Weekend Dog Park hours will remain the same for now. Dobbs Park playground work is delayed due to weather with no updated start date from the contractor. Sue Mandel requested a donated bench be placed at Croton Point Park rather than a Village Park. John Bouchard is coordinating with two other individuals who are also donating benches to the Village.
●Recreation Update (Mark Duncan): Department operations are running smoothly and planning has begun for the spring/summer brochure. Croton schools will be available to host summer camps this year.
●Gouveia Park Update (Debi Braddick): Shared a memo from Village Manager Bryan Healy stating that weather permitting, work will begin soon on driveway, drainage, lighting, and fence upgrades. A public meeting is scheduled for March 2nd to provide a property update.
●Recreation Budget (Mark Duncan): The 2026-2027 budget will increase by approximately $25,000. The increase is primarily to hire additional staff for the Day Camp, which can now increase enrollment since it is moving from Holy Name of Mary to the Croton schools.
Committee recommends extending Dog Park weekend hours
●Resolutions Passed: None (all items were discussions or recommendations forwarded to the Village Board).
●Resolutions Failed: None.
●Applications Reviewed:
●Memorial bench application for Asher Fried, submitted by Susan Mandel. Accepted by the committee with a recommendation to place the bench at Duck Pond Park.
●Public Comments: None (no public comment period noted in the minutes).
●Reports:
●Dog Park Usage: Committee recommended allowing 12 additional households outside the village to use the Dog Park for a fee, and extending weekend/holiday hours to 6:00 p.m. A memo will be sent to the Village Board for approval.
●Black Rock AED & CPR: Discussed adding an AED to Black Rock Park and a CPR class to the Spring/Summer brochure. Mark Duncan will research CPR classes; Debi Braddick will send a memo to the Village Board advocating for the AED.
●Softball Inquiry: Mark Duncan noted significant resource hurdles for starting a softball program, including field availability, scheduling, umpires ($65 per game), equipment, and 1–2 hours of DPW field preparation per game. Neighboring programs in Cortlandt and Ossining were suggested as alternatives.
●Parks Update (John Bouchard): Dobbs Park baseball field and fencing completed; old playground demolition begins in February. Peace pole installed at Croton Landing. Handrails installed at Black Rock Bocce courts. Fields closed for winter with tarps applied.
●Recreation Update: Tree lighting on Dec. 4 drew 200–250 attendees. Winter Brochure released Dec. 2 with registration going well.
●Gouveia Park Update (Nora Nicholson): A timeline presentation on Gouveia Park progress is expected soon, along with plans for small park improvements.
●Public Comments: None (No public comment period noted in minutes).
●Reports:
●Mayor's Referral: Discussed a resident inquiry regarding a "Pop-Up Pizza Farm." The committee recommended the individual contact the Croton Business Council.
●Monument Proposal: The Village Board sought input on placing a monument for Revolutionary War soldier John "Rifle Jack" Peterson at 119 Radnor Avenue. The committee deferred a decision, requesting additional research, suggesting the Village explore placement at the local Cemetery, and noting member John Bouchard will reach out to the American Legion.
●Parks Update (John Bouchard):
●Dobbs Park Improvements Project has started; infield fence replaced. Infield grass replacement and outfield fence repair/replacement underway. Playground and basketball court replacements tentatively scheduled for February–April 2026.
●New Belgium Blocks installed at the Duck Pond.
●Peace Pole installation at Croton Landing expected by the end of the week of November 10.
●Turf blankets to be placed on all fields after November 23.
●Water shut off at Croton Landing, Silver Lake, and Senasqua.
●Miscellaneous Updates:
●Goblin Walk (Oct. 25): Over 250 attendees received treat bags.
●4th Annual Halloween Dog Parade (Oct. 25): 60 dogs participated.
●Tree Lighting: Scheduled for December 4 at 5 p.m. (lighting at 6 p.m.), rain date December 5.
●Winter Brochure: Available December 2.
New Dobbs Park Playground Slated For April Completion
●Croton Landing: Pete Sedlemair reported the field and walkway are in good shape.
●Sunset and Harrison St. Parks: Kyle Raum reported both parks looked good; Emily Boglioli noted worn benches at Sunset Park.
●Vassallo Park: Debi Braddick reported a worn-down area in the middle of the park; Mark Duncan clarified this is where organizations utilize the space.
●Dobbs Park: Committee announced upcoming playground work, new sod for the baseball infield, and fencing installation, expected to be completed in early spring (April).
●Black Rock Park: John Sasso reported minor maintenance issues at the dog park, including branches needing removal, an old picnic table needing replacement, and a possible bench installation. The committee noted these should be directed to the DPW.
●Duck Pond Park: Debi Braddick reported the park looks good but noted worn benches across from the diner.
●Miscellaneous: Mark Duncan announced the Fall Family Fun Event on October 18 and the Goblin Walk on October 25.
Recreation Advisory Committee Reviews Dobbs Park Work, Asks for More Park Ranger Visits
●Fencing at Dobbs Park is being removed; painting is delayed while the new blacktop cures, and a dedication date is still to be determined
●The committee requested more regular Park Ranger visits to Silver Lake and Black Rock Park to ensure rules are enforced
●The village is exploring electric blower options to address noise concerns; battery-operated units are already in use and the budget supports further purchases
●The Bocce program's continued popularity led to requests for a safety barrier and an additional waste receptacle
●The June 13 AED/CPR training is full; a second session is planned for the fall
●All summer hires have been finalized; DPW summer hours were scheduled to begin May 23
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