The Newburgh City Council, on May 23, approved an ordinance to re-open Masterson Lake Park at 660 Little Britain Road, allowing use the facility for recreation and fishing.

Masterson Lake Park, also known as Frank Masterson Memorial Recreation Area, was closed for infrastructure repair and maintenance by the city water department but now with the work complete, it is in the process of being prepared for the public.

City of Newburgh Water Superintendent Wayne Vradenburgh announced to the city council that 5,000 fish of varying species were released into Masterson Lake for recreational fishing and with the approval of an ordinance, surrounding municipality residents can fish as well.

Additionally, the Department of Environmental Conservation [DEC] had offered to partner with the city to host a fishing derby for residents with additional fishing programming.

With the park reopening, Michelle Kelson of Corporation Counsel emphasized that the fishing at Masterson Lake is catch and release only.

Masterson Lake sits adjacent to Lake Washington, contaminated by PFAS, also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. These chemicals are used in the creation of heat, oil, stain, grease and water resistant products and fluoropolymer coatings.

The contamination of Washington Lake was a result of firefighting foam used at Stewart Air National Guard Base that was identified as the source according to the New York State Department of Health [NYSDH]. The City of Newburgh uses the water supply now from the Catskill Aqueduct instead of Lake Washington.
Vradenburgh said proper signage will be posted for fishers to be aware of the catch and release requirements.

According to Vradenburgh, the park will be open seven days a week and will be opened and closed by city staff each day.