Croton's spring building season at Dobbs Park began the same day the Recreation Advisory Committee met: the park's old playground equipment, basketball court and nets came down March 9, with site work to follow within days. John Bouchard, the Department of Public Works representative on the committee, reported the demolition at the committee's March 9 meeting. Site work at the park is expected to begin in the next few days, and depending on the weather, the DPW plans to remove the tarps from the fields as soon as possible so organizations can put them back into use, according to the minutes. New spectator seating is coming to the park as well. The Holy Name of Mary Knights of Columbus is donating bleachers at Dobbs Park for use by the Little League and the community, and the bleachers will include signage acknowledging the donation. The committee accepted the donation at the meeting. The committee also heard about the design process at Gouveia Park. Nora Nicholson described a March 2 Zoom meeting on the project that drew approximately 35 participants, emphasized the importance of sharing information about the project with the community, and noted that the architect did a very good job with the presentation, according to the minutes. Residents will get a fuller picture of recreation spending next month. Mark Duncan, the Recreation Department's representative, told the committee that the recreation budget has been submitted to Village Manager Bryan Healy and that some final adjustments are still taking place. The budget presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15, at 7:00 p.m. The village's dog park hours will stay as they currently are. Healy told the committee that the topic was discussed at both a Board meeting and a work session, and the decision was made to keep the hours the same — though the hours could be revisited in the future if needed. John Sasso will be asking those in favor of extended hours to email Healy, according to the minutes. In other business:
  • Emily Boglioli and Pete Sedlmair were reappointed to the Recreation Advisory Committee.
  • Duncan mentioned a donation application from Kathleen Casey, who is requesting a bench at the Duck Pond in memory of her husband, Rick. The committee agreed it was a good idea, and Bouchard will reach out to Casey.
  • Chair Debi Braddick asked committee members to visit specific parks before the next meeting.
  • Healy noted that a grant may be available to replace the Harrison Street Playground.
The committee's next regular meeting is Monday, April 13, at 7:00 p.m. — two days before the budget presentation. By then, Dobbs Park should be several days into its site work, the most visible sign of a busy season ahead for the village's parks.