The Village is blessed with extraordinary parks, in essence a park system. This has been developed over time and is a valuable asset as part of our “green” infrastructure. How we use parks has changed over time and use of parks has steadily increased, as well as the type of recreational offerings both active and passive. During the pandemic, they were a valuable way we could be in a safe public setting – they were places that helped break the personal isolation that was felt over the past two years.

Our parks include Veteran’s Memorial Park, dedicated to the Veterans of the Great War, WW1. This park includes important Memorials: Veteran’s, Fireman Veterans Memorial and the 9/11 Memorial. It’s home to our major playing fields for organized sports, baseball, softball, football, kickball, rugby, cheer as well as our skate park. This also where the annual Firemen’s Carnival and Fireworks takes place. It also has a large pavilion and the beginning of a trail system – the McFarland Path. Our plans this year include revisiting the Master Plan and help define the parks future layout and design, continuing the trails and installation of bocce ball courts.

Stanley-Deming Park is deeply loved and well used. It is visually striking with large willow trees and the Mistucky Creek that runs through it. With the installation of modern amenities and opening up the park visually, it has become a safer and more beautiful recreational space. With the installation of a community-built ADA compliant playground, it has become a top spot for young families. This park is also home to our Summer Park Program Day Camp as well as basketball and volleyball courts. The passive aspects of this park include the Roger Metzger Arboretum and the 9/11 Sculpture Garden. This year’s plan includes the continuation of brick walkways and the perimeter park path.

Lewis Woodlands is a 14-acre natural environment that was a part of Belair, the former estate of the Fowler family. The house and grounds are long gone but the woodlands and remnants of the formal garden were protected by Elizabeth and Madison Lewis and eventually given to the Village by the Orange and Dutchess Garden Club. The Village received two grants from The Preservation League of New York State for historic resource studies as well as restoration plans for the garden. Did you know F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda were frequent guests at Belair? The studies are on our website, villageofwarwick.org. This is a park to enjoy nature. Its path system is original and has been enhanced and made accessible through clearing by Eagle Scout initiatives and local Boy Scouts. There is minimal street parking so if you visit, please be conscious of the neighbors’ driveways. Plans this year include extensive tree work and revealing the flagstone path in the formal garden.

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