Public Spaces Initiative Meeting Notes

8/18/2025

P U B L I C S P A C E S I N I T I A T I V E

O U R M I S S I O N

Notes

1. Welcome and Opening Remarks

   • Attendees – Ash Bradley-Rickard, Linda Digasper, Babara Westermann, David Sokol, Mayor Smythe, Victoria Rolfe

   • Absent – Betsy Brauer

   • Committee Advisory role

   • Mission Statement

     1. Ash to send out revamped Mission/Vision statement with notes from Spring/Summer for review. Discuss at next meeting

2. RHCC Seed Exchange

Discussion Points:

• Does it fit into the role of committee?

  1. Village can donate the item to the community center and transfer ownership of maintaining to RHCC

• Red Hook Library collaboration

  1. RHCC is Seed Exchange, Library’s is a Seed Library (hand out seeds)

  2. The two entities reach different parts of the community, seems beneficial to have both. Work to set up collaboration separately.

3. Pumpkins in the Park

Discussion Points:

• RHCC would like to participate but not own the event

• Reach out to Library and Historic Society

8/18/2025

1. Ash to reach out to other non profits on transferring ownership of event to keep it going. (Add Rotary)

2. PS can still volunteer and participate in event

3. If cost is brought down, Village could still maintain event. Bring your own pumpkins, paper pumpkins etc.

4. 2026 focus

Discussion Points:

• Meadow requirements and guidelines

  1. Research other municipalities for code around meadow gardens

  2. How to inspire and encourage meadow gardens and keep aesthetic to code

• Native planting and pollinators

  1. Municipal lot /Chamber info booth revamp

  2. Advisement on layout, design and native plants when project starts (TBD)

• Art exhibits and processes

  1. Review Art Expo information from 2015

5. Abraham’s task force

   • Time Frame for development

     1. Village has engineering proposal for parking lot, waiting to confirm funds

     2. After parking lot is finalized, then can move on to master plan for the park

   • Grant Opportunities for pollinator gardens

     1. Research options available but may need plan for final submissions. Do not want to plant before having master plan finalized.

     2. Pocket forests or native plant info gardens, areas designed to teach and inform people while being in the park

   • Bard collaborative

8/18/2025

1. Can work with Bard curatorial program and 3 Sister Garden to bring information or events to Park

• April as Native Plant Month