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Turn your food scraps into chicken food with Cucumber Hill Farm!

Since Sunday…

We are officially collecting food scraps at Community Day on 5/17, 10-1. We agreed that this will serve as our May meeting, and everyone will cross promote future FSR at TCCC and otherwise. I’m also bringing the SP zero waste station for recycling and compost! Flier to promote summer FSR attached. PLEASE SHARE AT YOUR EVENTS

NYSP2I Letter of Support templates are attached! There is an adapted version for each org (scroll down), but they will need some edits. Feel free to modify to fit your needs and return to me asap THIS WEEK

If anyone else wants to carpool to the compost facility on Saturday, please let me know. We are meeting at the library at 7:30am! Otherwise, the address is 2 Bayview Rd

Cortlandt Manor, NY, 10567. My phone #is 631-988-0823.

RSVP for feeding the chickens at Justin’s.It’s very fun.

See you at Earth Week!

Putnam County Residents Coalition Farmers Market
at Tompkins Corners Cultural Center 

Every Summer Friday starting May 29th from 3 – 6:30PM

Turn your food scraps into chicken food with Cucumber Hill Farm!

This program allows people who are unable to compost at home to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills and incinerators.

What’s Allowed:

  • Fruit and Vegetable Scraps, cooked or raw (please remove stickers)
  • Bread and other grains
  • Eggs and eggshells (crush them first)
  • Cooked meat leftovers and bones
  • Dairy products

Please avoid:

  • Avocados
  • Yard waste (due to pests and herbicide)

Visit the Cucumber Hill Farm Table to drop off your scraps. Please store them in the fridge or freezer to avoid feeding chickens spoiled food.

Thank you for supporting local business while reducing organic waste!

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Summer in Putnam Valley: Camps, Concerts, and Park Improvements

Please visit the website PVPR.com for the most recent information on our current programs.

As expected, our day camp filled up extremely quick. Unfortunately, we are limited by state and local regulations, and can only take a maximum of 200 campers per day. We currently have approximately 70 children on the waiting list, but we are continuing to adjust and accommodate as much as we can.

Concerts will kick off on July 2nd with the Independence Day celebration and run every Thursday until the end of August

Our current list of Sports and Specialty summer Camps consists of Soccer, Volleyball, Musical Theatre, Tennis, Boys Basketball, Girls’ basketball, Cheer Camp, Baseball, Football and Taekwondo camps. These are 1 week mini camps that take place throughout the summer.

Parks:

We are continuing to work on a forestry Project for both the Town Park and the Camp facility –If everything goes right, the plan will start in the fall. As mentioned previously Everything is done in cooperation with the DEC and their recommendations and should serve as a benefit to the town in several different ways.
The grant award results for the trail system grant typically come out in May.
Our inhouse projects for the upcoming season include overhauling the bike pad in the park, as well as refurbishing the sand volleyball courts
We are also exploring options on a community garden. We are in the very early stages, but hope to have something started for this season.

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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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Parks and Recreation Projects, Programs, and 2026 Updates

The Putnam Valley Parks and Recreation Department is actively working on several improvement projects while preparing programs and facilities for the upcoming year.

Park Improvement Projects

Two major projects are currently underway.

The first is the development of a comprehensive forest management plan for both the Town Park and camp properties. This plan focuses on the sustainable production and harvest of forest resources, expanded recreational and educational opportunities, improved trail maintenance, and the long term protection of forestland. These efforts help preserve the many benefits our natural spaces provide, including clean air, clean water, and carbon storage.

The second project will enhance accessibility and the overall trail experience at the Town Park. Plans include making the existing trail system ADA accessible, creating more clearly defined pathways, and adding rest areas and scenic viewpoints along Peekskill Hollow Creek. The department is pursuing funding for this work through the Municipal Parks and Recreation Grant Program.

Parks and Facilities

In addition to regular maintenance during the offseason, the department is currently scheduling facility use and reservations for 2026.

Camps and Programs

Summer sports camps and seasonal programming are now in development, with details to be posted on the department website as plans are finalized.

Registration for Summer Day Camp will open during the last week of March.

The department’s largest program, youth basketball, is currently in progress, and additional programs are updated regularly online.

Employment Opportunities

Parks and Recreation is always seeking team members to support its programs and services. Current opportunities include child care staff, camp counselors, bus drivers, and lifeguards.

For program updates, registrations, and job opportunities, visit pvpr.com.

Frank DiMarco
Parks and Recreation Director
Town of Putnam Valley