Public Spaces Initiative February 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 first meeting of the year was held at 10am on Saturday January 27[th] at Village Hall.
2024 Planning
The primary focus of the meeting was planning for the upcoming year. All agreed 2024 should build on existing successful activities while broadening the reach of the PSI work. To achieve this, the committee discussed consideration of the following ideas:
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Maintain pollinators and pollinator gardens, the initial PSI focus, as one of its core activities. o Maintain existing gardens at the Elmendorph Inn and the Red Hook Community Center o Establish a Village Hall area garden
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Consider serving at subject matter experts and advisors for Village businesses and/or property owners interested in establishing new pollinator gardens
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Continue efforts to create a Village presence on the Pollinator Pathway of New York website
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Plan for two major PSI hosted events, building on the successful first year “Hello Spring” and fall Pumpkins in the Park gatherings
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Establish a greater presence at Village events to extend awareness of the PSI and its efforts. Among the steps to accomplish this would be expanding social media presence, tabling at community events including Apple Blossom Day, Hardscrabble Day, and Repair Cafe. Acquire table hangers or banners to improve visibility
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Collaborate with existing and new community partners such as the Red Hook Central School District, the Red Hook Public Library, and Historic Red Hook.
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Continue participation in Abrahams Park planning and look for ways to use the Park as a resource for events like the Pumpkins in the Park and the Bard public art installation
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Develop a budget and plans at upcoming meetings to prepare for a successful roll‐out of the planned activities
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Planning Update
On Friday January 26[th] Mayor Smythe and Trustee Appenzeller had a Zoom meeting with Bonnie Franson with Nelson Pope and Voorhis (NPV), the firm working with the Village to support the planning for the Village Gateway (Cookingham East) project. The meeting was a productive working session to discuss frameworks for potential planning and land use approaches for the property. NPV will prepare a progress report that can be used as a tool for stakeholder discussions as the process unfolds.