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Public Spaces Initiative March Board Update

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Attached document2024-03-11
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Public Spaces Initiative March Board Update

Mission To develop and facilitate the creation of public park, art, and community spaces throughout the Village of Red Hook

Public Meetings are held the 4th Saturday of each month at 10 am, in person at the Village Hall unless otherwise noted (email the PSI chair Ash Bradley‐Rickard for the meeting location). The second meeting of the year was held at 10am on Saturday March 2[nd] at the Red Hook Community Center.

2024 Planning

The primary focus of the meeting was continuing the planning for the upcoming year. All agreed 2024 should build on existing successful activities while broadening the reach of the PSI work. At the next meeting a preliminary budget will be reviewed. Having a PSI table banner was identified as a short‐term priority item. Discussion centered around the following ideas:

  • Look for ways to become more involved in local events and spread the word about PSI including by having a presence at local events such as the April 6th Repair Café at RHCC, AppleBlossom Day

  • June 15th Hello Spring Event (PSI) in partnership with RHCC. Members suggested perhaps having future year events at other possible venues (e.g., Elmendorf, Village Hall, Library or possibly in Village parks)

  • Other events:

    • HardScrabble Day

    • Oct 19[th] – Pumpkins in the Park Event (PSI)

    • Other possible events with Elmendorf, Composting Event at Recycling Center.

  • Pollinator Garden Initiative

    • KDA has reached out asking for assistance in planning a pollinator garden at their location in Red Hook, looking for PSI to provide guidance on plants and planting. Ash is working to schedule a meeting to discuss details. It was discussed that public funds could not be used for a private business.

    • Village Hall Pollinator Garden. Location to be determined but focus could be in the front space of Village Hall to complement any other possible projects in that area.

    • Community Center Pollinator Garden: Plan on maintenance of current garden with the possibility of expansion to other areas in the front of the building. RHCC has a new gardener, and the team would like to meet with her to discuss the plans and maintenance of the garden. As a garden upgrade, small metal signs may be used to label plants so that visitors can identify what plants are usable in the area.

  • Pollinator Pathway: Linda working to finalize the Pollinator Pathway website submission. PSI will share information at events on how people can self‐certify their gardens for the website.

  • Other Collaborations: Ash has reached out to Julia West, the art teacher involved in last year’ Abraham’s Park Art project. Bard is meeting first part of 2024 to plan the year and will then provide information for opportunities of collaboration. The possibility of utilizing Bard students as volunteers for events in June and Oct will be explored through Bard’s Center for Civic Engagement and the Village.

  • Library: Now has a resident Naturalist for 3 months, Susan Rogers. Alex, the director, is proposing a new Field Station next to the pond for nature engagement and viewing wildlife. PSI members will continue Library outreach and communications.

  • Red Hook Central School District: PSI will Reach out to school garden educators looking for possible collaboration opportunities

  • Discussed having speakers at PSI meetings to share information. (e.g., Deputy Town Supervisor Bill Hamel, to share information about a recent pollinator workshop he attended. Other speakers could include Bard College subject matter experts and PSI members and master gardeners Linda and Victoria.