The Newburgh Parks Board voted to allow HNI to reserve the Lou Room and the park's two shelters for a May 31 strawberry festival, contingent on HNI's completion of the town's special-event packet and submission of an expected-attendance estimate. The motion, which specified the reservation was pending responses to the special-event packet and the number expected to attend, passed without recorded opposition.
The board discussed logistics raised by staff and members: potential overlap with the splash pad schedule, rules prohibiting food on the splash pad, parking constraints on busy summer weekends and possible use of the nearby Masonic Lodge for overflow, and whether food trucks or ice cream would be part of the event. Andrea Balboni, deputy town manager, and Chris Cook, town administrative manager, participated in the operational discussion about staffing, trash management and road-closure procedures in the special-event packet. Susan, who presented HNI's request to the board, said organizers plan to serve from the Lou Room shell and to use grassy areas for children's games.
Board members said the special-event packet will require details on road closures, trash, parking and transportation; staff will forward the packet to HNI and review the responses before the event. Tammy moved the reservation; the motion was seconded and approved. The board recorded no formal numeric roll-call in the transcript; the chair announced the motion carried.
Why it matters: The reservation holds town facilities for a seasonal community event but does not authorize road closures or other actions that require council review; those items will be resolved through the special-event packet process described by staff. The packet also triggers town review for parking, sanitation and safety measures that could affect neighboring residents.
Board direction and next steps: Staff will provide the special-event packet to HNI and collect required information on road closures, trash handling, parking and expected attendance; any proposed road closures or other items that exceed staff authority will be forwarded to Town Council for approval.