The Town of Marlborough is one of 16 municipalities with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding via Ulster County’s Municipal Parks and Recreation Grant (MPRG) program to support the development, improvements and renovations of various parks and recreation areas throughout the County.

“With an emphasis on public health and living a healthy lifestyle, it makes me proud that we are able to give back to the municipalities by providing funding for parks and recreation projects,” said Ulster County Legislator Thomas Corcoran. “Recreational exercise, balanced nutrition and adequate rest all contribute to good health. I’m glad we can encourage and support incremental steps toward healthy living.”

The MPRG is intended to enhance public spaces, building on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic about the importance of having accessible, safe and healthy outdoor opportunities for residents across Ulster County. Eligible projects include such enhancements as Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) amenity upgrades, sensory/inclusivity equipment, surfacing upgrades, green spaces, park maintenance and upkeep, neighborhood cleanup, pedestrian features, recreational facilities, streetlights and other improvements that revitalize or expand public spaces.

Locally, the funds will be used for improvements and the installation of energy-efficient lights at three parks in the town. The Town of Marlborough will receive $100,000 towards the full project cost of $231,000, according to Evan R. Menist, Assistant Deputy County Executive.

Corcoran said new lighting is planned for Cluett Schantz Memorial Park in Milton, Youngs Park and a new park on Sands Avenue. Matching funds for the project will come out of the town’s recreation fund, which is financed by developers who are assessed $2,000 per recreational unit when they present their projects for approval by the town planning board.

“Our parks and outdoor spaces proved to be among our most valuable assets during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling safe and healthy recreation and social activity that was simply not possible indoors,” said Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger. “We saw clearly during that difficult time how important it is that we preserve and enhance these community spaces for our collective health and well-being, as well as ensure that they are accessible to people of all abilities in our communities. This investment of ARPA funds will pay dividends in public benefits for many years to come.”

“I was extremely pleased that the Ulster County Legislature voted to approve my resolution requesting that $2,000,000 in the County’s share of American Rescue Plan Act funds go to funding municipal park projects. During the pandemic, open spaces such as municipal parks and our excellent trail network helped ease the burden of the lockdown by providing residents and their friends and families the opportunity to gather safely outdoors and spend time in nature. This resolution provided matching funds of up to $100,000 in ARPA funds to the towns to create much-needed projects all around Ulster County,” said Ulster County Legislator Eric Stewart. “Our municipal parks offer great recreational opportunities of all kinds, from youth sports to dog walking, jogging and pickleball—and these services are available to everyone. I view parks as a vital part of Ulster County’s green infrastructure, and I am honored—along with my co-sponsor, Legislator Chris Hewitt of the Town of Rochester—to play a role in helping our towns to provide these services.”

“Strong communities are built upon the foundation of parks. These green spaces bring people together, fostering connections and creating cherished memories,” said the Chair of the American Rescue Plan Act Special Committee and Vice Chair of the Ulster County Legislature, Peter Criswell. “By investing ARPA funds into parks, we’re cultivating unity, resilience and lasting joy, ensuring a thriving community for years to come.”

In May 2023, Ulster County municipalities were invited to submit applications for the MPRG program. After a thorough committee review process, 16 Town Supervisors received notification on July 6, 2023, that their proposals for municipal parks and recreation projects were approved and awarded. Project awards include:

• Town of Esopus for Cas Landi Park Playground Renovation

• Town of Gardiner for Majestic Park Pump Track and ADA Accessibility Improvements
• Town of Hurley for Additional Improvements to West Hurley Park
• Town of Lloyd for Lewis C. DiStasi Pavilion
• Town of Marbletown for Grady Park and High Falls
• Town of Marlborough for Park Field Improvement and Energy-Efficient Lights
• Town of New Paltz for Henry W. DuBois Drive Bicycle Pedestrian Project
• Town of Olive for Davis Park Fence Replacement
• Town of Plattekill for Replacement of Playground Equipment
• Town of Rochester for Town Park Bathroom and Revitalization
• Town of Rosendale for Rosendale Community Center Park Improvements
• Town of Saugerties for Adaptive/Wheelchair Pickleball Project
• Town of Shawangunk for Playground Additions for Town Parks
• Town of Ulster for Town of Ulster Community Forest
• Village of Ellenville and Town of Wawarsing for Berme Road Park
• Village of New Paltz for Athletic Court Rehabilitation.