The Newburgh City Council is considering turning Crystal Lake into a park with open recreation space. The proposal received overwhelming support from city residents who turned out at a council meeting earlier this week.
Crystal Lake is located in a wooded area off Little Britain Road between Cerone Place and Wisner Avenue.
The Council voted to pay $120,000 to Control Point Associates, Inc. to conduct professional land surveying services of parcels surrounding Crystal Lake. A resolution approved by the Council states, “The City of Newburgh intends to undertake a review of the area around Crystal Lake to plan for the potential for future use of an open space for public use and recreation.”
Prior to the Council giving the nod to move forward with the research, residents spoke fondly of the idea during the public comments section of the meeting.
“I’m here to support the Council in moving towards designating Crystal Lake as a park,” said City of Newburgh resident Grace Lodge. “I think it would do really wonders for our community.”
Anusha Mehar, a City of Newburgh resident, said she stewards a small parcel of Crystal Lake. “I can attest from my research that Crystal Lake used to be a place where folks fished, gathered, swam, enjoyed recreationally, and we’ve seen an increase in the recreational use of that space.” She thanked the Council in taking the first step in designating Crystal Lake as a park.
Mark Sanchez-Potter, a member of the Citizens Advisory Council, spoke as a private City of Newburgh resident to support the move. “I hope it is the will of this Council to create that park for all people,” he noted. “Public parks are a public good and they belong to everyone, and they’re for the betterment of our society.”
A New Windsor resident who called himself Shem explained that he is the co-founder of a health and wellness center in the City of Newburgh. He said he represents many children who are in shelters or foster homes. “The number one thing that came out of our dialogue is parks don’t cost money to be in.” He said turning Crystal Lake into a park is “a no-brainer.”
City of Newburgh resident Kippy Boyle added, “I’m very pleased to hear from the audience that the purpose of the survey is to create a park. It would’ve been so nice for the public to see this on the agenda.” She called it “a wonderful idea.”
Jason Angel, the co-director of the Ecological Citizens Project, said, “It is one of the largest urban green spaces in the Hudson Valley and I think it’s a great step.” He pointed out that Councilman Anthony Grice has been out many times on community volunteer days helping to clean the area.
A 12 year-old resident named Santiago spoke in support of the park and explained that his mother has performed a lot of work at Crystal Lake. “I’ve seen so many people come together there,” he observed. “It brings the community together.” His speech received a roaring round of applause from the audience.
Mayor Torrance Harvey initiated a standing ovation for Santiago while exclaiming, “Wow!” Harvey handed a business card to the young seventh grader and invited the youngster to his office. “This is a future mayor right here!”
A woman who identified herself only as Johanna said she is the mother of two children and they need to leave the city of they want to go into nature. “Please turn Crystal Lake into a city park,” she said. “It is very important for our community – not only our mental health, our physical health, and of course the value of our community will go up.”
Marianne Marichal, a City of Newburgh resident, explained that the Quassaick Creek runs into Crystal Lake and beyond and Scenic Hudson repeatedly performs clean-ups at the site. “Everyone should know about this place,” she said. “Everyone should absolutely have access to this place.”
Betty Bastidas, a mother and city resident, said she is thankful that Crystal Lake may become a park. “We’re a nature deprived city,” she said. “That’s where we go with our kids.”
During the Council comments portion of the meeting, Grice stated, “Us allocating that money … didn’t just happen all of a sudden.” He said he has put in a “tremendous amount of work” for the past several years. He noted some of the organizations that helped and that a Winterfest was previously held at the lakeside.
Grice added, “I have shared my vision with several people. It has always been my intent that that will be a park and that it will be a city-owned park and I plan on fully pushing that through as much as possible.”
Councilwoman Giselle Martinez explained that one of the key issues she hears from her constituents is to expand green space within the city. “I think expanding our green resources is one way for us to not only preserve land as a public good, but also a place where people can just go and enjoy their space.”
Councilman Robert Sklarz called Crystal Lake a “treasure” and noted it was a “happening place” in the 1940s through the 1960s. “It can be that again.”
Control Point Associates, Inc. submitted a proposed contract to the Newburgh City Council stating that upon receipt of a retainer, they can begin work. Their office anticipates completion approximately 12-14 weeks thereafter.
