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Wallkill Valley Times, Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Concerned residents form Friends of Benedict Park
By LAURA FITZGERALD
[email protected]
Montgomery residents recently formed
the Friends of Benedict Park Committee,
which will promote the historical and
recreational elements of Montgomery’s
town parks.
Created by town residents Susan
Cockburn, Bill Leahy, Jeanne Cook and
Sam Phelps IV, the 501c3 non-profit will
take donations and secure funding from
various state and local government funds
for historical and recreational projects.
Cockburn said potential projects
on the committee’s docket include the
restoration of the Benedict Farm House,
the restoration of community events
such as the farmer’s outing, and the
construction of a bridge connecting
Veteran’s Memorial Park in the Village of
Montgomery and Benedict Farm Park in
the Town of Montgomery.
Cockburn, who is also a member of
the Historic Preservation Commission,
said the commission is currently working
to put the Benedict Farm House on the
local and state historic registers, which
would allow the committee to apply
for government grants for restoration
projects.
The house has undergone an interior
demolition in recent months after being
vacant for more than a decade. Cockburn
said the house could be a museum or
educational area featuring Montgomery
artifacts, such as Ice Age-era artifacts
found in the park, information regarding
the mastodon found in Montgomery, or
local farming artifacts.
While an educational area is a
possibility, Cockburn said, there are
other possibilities for the house based on
the community’s desires.
Another goal of the committee is to
facilitate a dialogue with residents on
what programs and features they would
like to see in the parks.
“We’re going to start a dialogue with
the community on what people want to
see,” Cockburn said.
Bruce Shafer, who has family ties to
the Benedict house, said he is happy to
see members of the community coming
together to preserve their history. The
Benedict Farm House is an important
artifact and resource for the community,
he said.
The committee is also working to build
a bridge across the Wallkill River, which
would connect Benedict Farm Park and
the parking lot at Veteran’s Memorial
Park. Ross Winglovitz, Managing
Pictured left to right: Town Supervisor Rodney Winchell, Friends of Benedict Park members Sam Phelps IV, Bill Leahy and Susan Cockburn. The
Friends of Benedict Park will promote the historical and recreational value of Montgomery’s town parks.
Principal with Engineering and Surveying
Properties, P.C, said the bridge would also
include the creation of a trail connecting
the bridge with Benedict Farm Park.
Winglovitz said a future project is to
create a trail along Route 17K to connect
Benedict Farm Park with Orange County
Winding Hill’s Park, creating a cohesive
park system.
Winglovitz said the bridge across
the Wallkill would cost approximately
$1 million. The project could be funded
through various contributors and funds,
Cockburn said.
The committee also plans to bring
back events, such as the farmer’s outing.
Held years ago, the outing featured local
growers, artists, artisans and musicians,
and was held in Benedict Farm Park.
Because
the
committee
acts
independently of town government,
Cockburn said it will provide continuity
between administrations for park projects.
If one supervisor or administration leaves
or enters office, it won’t affect the projects
the committee is working on.
Leahy said the parks hold potential for
many different programs, resources and
features.
“[Benedict Farm Park] has a lot of
potential for what it could be,” Leahy
said.
is seeking Town or Village residents
interested in serving on the following
boards
Board of Assessment Review
Zoning Board of Appeals
Submit letters of interest
by May 15, 2019
Please send letters of interest to
[email protected] or
Town of Montgomery Clerk
110 Bracken Road, Montgomery, NY 12549
(845) 457-2660
www.townofmontgomery.com