Recreation committee reviews Dobbs Park bids and Silver Lake access concerns
The September 8, 2025 Recreation Advisory Committee meeting covered pending Dobbs Park bids, safety concerns about vehicle access at Silver Lake, and summer recreation participation.
●Reviewed pending bids for Dobbs Park improvements.
●Raised safety concerns about driving down Silver Lake’s steep access road.
●Heard that Silver Lake recorded more than 4,500 patron visits over the summer.
Plans for Dobbs Park improvements and a question about vehicle access at Silver Lake were among the issues before Croton’s Recreation Advisory Committee on September 8, 2025. Bids for two Dobbs Park projects were due September 11, with work then expected to begin in the fall and finish for the spring season.
This article is written solely from the meeting's official minutes; croton.news had no reporter present.
One bid concerned playground equipment and the basketball court; the other covered replacement of the infield sod. Replacement of the field’s fencing and backstop was also planned alongside those projects. The committee’s update described pending bids and a projected schedule, not a contract award or completed work.
The committee reviewed an IDEA Committee letter proposing a sign telling residents they could drive to the bottom of Silver Lake’s hill to reach the park. Recreation members raised safety concerns about allowing cars down the steep driveway. The minutes record their concern, without describing a new village access rule.
Other discussion concerned possible after-school trips for middle-school students to special events at Cortlandt’s community center. Coordination with Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle School was still underway; a transportation service had not been announced. The Gouveia Park update described a proposed architectural assessment and two submitted grant applications, rather than grant awards.
John Sasso reported that two benches had been added beside the bocce courts and 48 participants had signed up for introductory classes. John Bouchard reported a picnic table, benches and a garbage bin at Duck Pond Park, along with vegetation clearing on the walkway between Half Moon Bay and Senasqua Park.
The summer recreation report recorded more than 4,500 patron visits to Silver Lake, seven concerts and six family entertainment nights. Those figures count visits and events, not unique residents. Camps had operated at several locations, with a return to school sites expected the following summer.
The committee also discussed reviewing the 2002 Recreation Master Plan. It approved the June minutes and scheduled its next meeting for October 6 at 7 p.m.
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Coverage of the Recreation Advisory Committee meeting on 2025-09-08,
Village of Croton-on-Hudson, NY.
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●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.
Committee Seeks More Research On Rifle Jack Monument
●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.
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.
●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.
$25K Budget Boost Expands Croton Day Camp Capacity
●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.
Old playground comes down at Dobbs Park as Knights of Columbus donates new bleachers
●Accepted the Holy Name of Mary Knights of Columbus donation of spectator bleachers at Dobbs Park for Little League and community use, with signage acknowledging the gift
●Demolition of the old Dobbs Park playground equipment, basketball court and nets completed March 9; site work expected to begin within days
●Recreation budget submitted to the village manager; public presentation scheduled for Wednesday, April 15 at 7:00 p.m.
●Dog park hours kept as they are after Board of Trustees discussion; John Sasso to ask extended-hours supporters to email Village Manager Bryan Healy
●Emily Boglioli and Pete Sedlmair reappointed to the committee; a memorial bench was proposed at the Duck Pond
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