Village of Millerton Eddie Collins Memorial Park

Re-energizing a Small Community’s Primary Recreation Space

Located in the heart of this small Dutchess County, NY community, Eddie Collins Memorial Park is the Village of Millerton’s primary recreational facility. The park had seen a decline in daily use and infrastructure was aging. The Village sought to transform the park into an inviting and cherished public space for recreation, anchored by a new outdoor pool, soccer field, and little league field.

LaBella worked hand-in-hand with the Village to create a recreation master plan and feasibility study to reimagine and reprogram the facility. We conducted an inventory of facilities at the park, met with various stakeholders to analyze the desired programming, and prepared numerous concept alternatives for the park. The final master plan was used to foster public support for the project as well as a successful Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) for $600,000 from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) to design and implement Phase 1 of the project.

The Village selected LaBella as the prime consultant to advance and complete Phase 1 improvements, which included a revisioning of their primary playground. Enhancements included accessible and creative surfacing, dynamic pathways, existing equipment rehabilitation, installation of new equipment, shade trees, rain gardens, green infrastructure, and various site furnishings. Phase 1 also included a natural soccer field, basketball courts, a little league field with accessible bleacher seating, a parking area, and an entryway. Phase 1 improvements were completed in October 2022.

LaBella is currently assisting the Village with schematic design for Phase 2 improvements, including a public swimming pool, pool house, and community space.