Playing Fields, Pavilion, Trails, Skating, ADA Parking and More Coming to Harriet Space Park
Deerpark. Multiple new amenities and infrastructure upgrades are planned for Harriet Space Park beginning in 2024 with $1 million approved by Orange County Legislature on Dec. 21.
By David Ofshinsky
Harriet Space Park will receive dynamic upgrades in 2024 with an infusion of $1 million approved by the Orange County Legislature on December 21. In a recent interview, Deerpark Town Supervisor Gary Spears explained the project.
While the park is owned by Orange County, it has long been a community undertaking. In the past, the Little League and youth football leagues provided for the press boxes. The Town donated a second football field, and a playground was built with funds from Millenium Pipeline. Deerpark has been designated as lead agency for the project, and John Fuller has donated architectural and engineering drawings.
Spears said the project will take about two to three years, with a total cost of roughly $2 to $3 million. With the first $1 million secured, work for the first phase is covered. Work will go out to bid soon and should start in the spring.
The first phase will bring a new football field, 193 additional parking spaces, additional ADA compliant parking, a large new pavilion for community events and ice skating in the winter, and new ADA compliant restrooms. Among outdoor improvements will be a walking trail and access to the Neversink River for fishing and a kayak launch. Environmental upgrades will include new septic and leach field systems for the new restrooms.
The next phase, depending on available funding, would bring two new baseball fields, one for girls and one that can be used by boys and girls, pickleball courts, a new playground, renovation of existing restrooms, and enlargement of the existing leach field.
Spears credits Deerpark Recreation Committee for initiating the project. Members of the committee include Spears, Town Clerk Flo Santini, Councilman Art Trovei, John Fuller, Charlote Van Horn, Orange County Legislator Tom Faggione and Ray Cirelli.
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