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Parks and Recreation Announces Accessible Trail Project and Summer Program Updates

The Town of Putnam Valley Parks and Recreation Department continues to expand recreational opportunities, improve accessibility, and prepare for a busy summer season. Current efforts include pursuing grant funding for a new accessible trail system, advancing a forestry management initiative, and finalizing summer programs, camps, and community events.

Accessible Trail System Project

The department has formally submitted its first grant application to support the development of a new trail system at Town Park, with a decision expected in May.

The focus of the project is to create a trail designed using ADA and Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) accessibility recommendations. While fully ADA compliant trails are rare due to natural terrain, the goal is to create a wheelchair accessible experience that allows more residents to enjoy the park’s natural features.

Plans include:

  • A new handicap accessible parking area at the end of South Street, behind the Union Field facility

  • A crushed stone trail extending approximately 100 yards to Oscawana Brook

  • An additional 75 yard stretch along the water’s edge

  • Scenic overlooks and rest areas along the route

  • Installation of appropriate safety barriers

The project will also include upgrades to existing trails throughout Town Park.

Forestry Management Project

The department is also working on a forestry management project for both Town Park and the Camp facility, with implementation anticipated to begin this fall.

This project is being developed in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and will provide several benefits, including:

  • Sustainable production and harvest of forest products, generating potential revenue for the Town

  • Improved recreational and educational opportunities

  • Maintenance and enhancement of existing trails

  • Long term protection and preservation of forestland

Summer Programs and Events

Planning is currently underway for the Town’s summer concert series, which will begin July 2 and continue every Thursday through the end of August, weather permitting. Most concerts will begin at 7 PM, with special events scheduled separately.

Sports and specialty camps have also been announced. This year’s offerings include:

  • Soccer

  • Volleyball

  • Musical Theatre

  • Tennis

  • Boys Basketball

  • Girls Basketball

  • Cheer

  • Baseball

  • Football

  • Taekwondo

Additional programs are updated regularly at www.pvpr.com.

Summer Day Camp Registration

Early bird registration for Summer Day Camp opens March 23 at 8 AM.

Due to health department and state capacity limits, enrollment typically fills very quickly, often within 24 to 48 hours. Once capacity is reached, a waiting list will be established.

Residents are encouraged to register early and visit the website for full details.

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A Blizzard Warning has been issued for Putnam and Orange Counties effective today at 1:00 p.m. until Monday, February 23 at 6:00 p.m.

Winter Weather Update
Due to the severity of the storm and hazardous road conditions, the State of Emergency remains in effect.

Putnam Valley Town Hall and all non-essential Town offices and facilities will remain closed on Monday, February 23, 2026. Any updates will be provided as conditions improve.

The Putnam Valley Highway Department has been actively plowing and treating roads and will continue operations throughout the day.

This storm has produced heavy snow and challenging conditions. With the added impact of wind and ongoing cleanup efforts, residents are asked to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary to allow crews and emergency services to operate safely and efficiently.

Stay well and warm!

 

*** URGENT WEATHER UPDATE ***

A Blizzard Warning has been issued for Putnam and Orange Counties effective today at 1:00 p.m. until Monday, February 23 at 6:00 p.m. Which means you could expect strong winds accompanied by falling and/or blowing snow, resulting in reduced visibility for three or more hours.

Snowfall will begin in Orange and Putnam Counties on today, February 22 at 1:00 p.m., but the strongest winds and blizzard conditions are expected Sunday night into Monday. Between 14 – 22 inches of snow is expected with snowfall rates up to 2 inches per hour at times. Visibility will be low and travel will become dangerous. Temperatures will feel as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit. Wind gusts of up to 45 mph are expected. Strong winds and the weight of snow may bring down trees and power lines.

All unnecessary travel is prohibited.

STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARATION 02-22-2026 – NOON

Notice of Public Hearing Local Law No. 4 of the year 2026 entitled “Local Law Waiving the Residency Requirement for the Town Assessor”

TAKE NOTICE that the Town Board of the Town of Putnam Valley will hold a public hearing at the Town Hall located at 265 Oscawana Lake Road, Putnam Valley, New York on March 4th 2026, at 6 o’clock p.m., Prevailing Time on the following proposed local law with the text of such Local Law to be in the form attached hereto and made a part hereof as Exhibit A:

Local Law No. 4 of the year 2026 entitled “Local Law Waiving the Residency Requirement for the Town Assessor”

 

TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that copies of the aforesaid proposed local law will be available for examination at the Town of Putnam Valley Town Hall, 265 Oscawana Lake Road, Putnam Valley, New York, and on the following webpage of the Town of Putnam Valley website: www.putnamvalley.gov

TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that all persons interested and citizens shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.

DATED:         Putnam Valley, New York

2/19/2026

MICHELLE STEPHENS, TOWN CLERK

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Town Announces 2026 Plan to Reduce Harmful Algal Blooms at Lake Peekskill by EverBlue Lakes

Situation Review

Clearly, 2024 and 2025 were both challenging and disappointing seasons for water quality and recreational quality of Lake Peekskill. Harmful blue-green algae blooms persisted through both seasons despite our collective attempts at an integrated and comprehensive approach within the limits of what is permitted in the State of New York for lake management.

These efforts included:

  • The ongoing operation and management of the aeration system to prevent internal release of phosphorus from the sediments and deliver oxygen to the lake bottom to continue to naturally process organic “muck” at the bottom.
  • Significant watershed and stormwater improvements implemented by the Town of Putnam Valley.
  • An aggressive treatment program for reducing algae using hydrogen peroxide-based algaecides designed specifically for reducing harmful blue-green algae.

Why the Disappointing Results?

Despite thoughtful and diligent effort we were unable to maintain the lake is usable condition for the bulk of 2025. Unfortunately, there appear to be multiple factors at work making it difficult to control the blue-green algae blooms:

  • Early season hot weather leading to very elevated water temperatures tipped the balance in favor of blue-green algae early in the season.
  • Watershed loading – potentially including a septic input that has not been discovered and is in the process of remediation.
  • Less than expected sustainable impact from the peroxide algaecide treatments
  •  Continued restriction of the use of Biological Treatment in the lake by the NYDEC.

Game Plan for 2026

Early Season Peroxide Treatment

Studies have shown promising results for the use of peroxide-based algaecides earlier in the season to neutralize the precursor cells of blue-green algae that are dormant on the lake-bottom in the Spring. These precursors are called Akinetes which you can think of as blue green algae “eggs” or spores waiting for the right conditions to hatch.

We have worked hard to get the permits applications submitted as early as possible to provide the NYDEC with as much time as possible to process and approve the permit for the 2026 season.

Ultrasonic Algae Technology Plan for Lake Peekskill 2026

EverBlue Lakes has worked with Hydro BioSciences, developer of the technology, to formulate a plan for Lake Peekskill to optimize results in 2026 lake-wide and particularly at all three beach sites around the lake.

Lake Peekskill Ultrasonic Layout Recommendation 2026

The proposed layout is designed to deliver overlapping treatment zones from the three proposed units while also concentrating treatment around the three swimming beaches on the lake.

In addition, we are recommending a very innovative configuration for the unit deployed in the deepest part of the lake.  This unit will have 2 transducers powered by one solar raft.  One placed within 3 feet of the surface and a second transducer placed approximately 8 feet down.  This will double the treatment for this unit and penetrate the ultrasonic treatment deeper into the water column to better suppress the “deep water” algae factory in the lake.

Finally, inclusion of a grid powered unit in the North Beach area will deliver the same treatment benefit of the Solar Units at a substantially lower cost.  This is possible because of the close proximity of the power located in the Aeration Shed building in the North Beach area.

This unit is DC powered with very low energy  and is very safe for application and deployment in the lake. 

Under this plan, Lake Peekskill will get the benefit of four Ultrasonic Solar Units for the less than the lease cost of three Solar Utrasonic Units.

Ongoing Watershed Management Assessment and Implementation

EverBlue will work with the Town to complete an early season watershed assessment to identify additional opportunities to reduce nutrient runoff to the lake.

Biological Treatment Permitting

EverBlue has continued the effort to work with the NYDEC to establish a permit process that will enable the use of Biological Treatment Products in Lake Peekskill as soon as possible. 

Realistically, we expect that it will take most of 2026 to get this process completed with the hope of starting Biological Treatment in 2027 at the latest.

John Tucci
President
EverBlue Lakes
www.everbluelakes.com

Achieving more together – NYSEG Community Connecting Event

The NYSEG Team will be holding a Community Connection event to connect directly with customers.
This open-house style event is a great opportunity to learn more about HEAP and other energy assistance programs,
smart meters, energy efficiency programs, local project information and face-to-face help with any billing concerns.

Location: Carmel Town Hall
60 McAlpin Ave
Mahopac NY 10541
Tuesday February 17th
4 PM to 7 PM

 

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Progress Update on Town Infrastructure and FEMA Projects

The Town of Putnam Valley continues to advance multiple infrastructure and recovery projects overseen by J. Robert Folchetti & Associates (JRFA). These efforts focus on strengthening roads, culverts, bridges, and public facilities throughout the community while improving safety and long term resiliency.

FEMA Funded Projects

Several FEMA related improvements have already been completed:

  • Wiccopee Road Culvert – Construction complete

  • Bell Hollow Road Culvert – Construction complete

  • Town Hall Parking Lot Retaining Wall – Construction complete

  • Town Park beaches at Lake Peekskill and Oscawana Lake – Construction complete

Additional projects are currently in progress or moving through design and bidding phases:

Brook Falls Road Culvert
Construction is ongoing and expected to continue through June 2026. A temporary bridge is in use. Footings were delayed due to freezing conditions. Arched concrete culvert sections are scheduled for delivery the week of March 9, 2026. The new arched structure is anticipated to be installed by April 30, followed by paving, site restoration, and guiderail installation.

New Hill Road Culvert
Design is approximately 80 percent complete. The team is working through NYSDEC and ACOE approvals. Plans include a temporary bridge installation during construction.

Cimarron Road Culvert
Bids were received on January 12, 2026. Bid review and recommendation are underway, with an award estimated on February 18, 2026. Construction is expected to begin approximately 45 days after the award.

Horton Hollow Road Bridge
Design is approximately 20 percent complete. Current work includes the engineering report, property acquisition documentation, subsurface soil borings, tree removal, and NYSDEC and ACOE approvals.

The goal is to have all FEMA projects completed by December 31, 2026.

Additional Town Project

Oregon Corners Substation Demolition
Bids were received in December 2025. The bid award is estimated for February 18, 2026, with demolition scheduled to occur within 45 days of contract signing.

These projects represent continued investment in the Town’s infrastructure and long term reliability of critical public assets. Additional updates will be shared as work progresses.