Middletown Recreation and Parks department reviews 2024 programs, funding and next-year projects

The Middletown Recreation and Parks Department presented its 2024 annual update to the Recreation and Parks Committee on Dec. 8, with Superintendent Raylan Berthoff and staff reviewing staffing, program revenues, completed capital work and planned projects for 2025.

Berthoff identified department leadership and named program and parks staff, thanking the council for ongoing support. "We are a strong woman team of 4 over there, and we hold it down," he said, introducing the superintendent's office team and the parks crew led by Deputy Commissioner John Bianchi and working supervisor Matt Leibold.

The department reported mixed revenue performance in 2024: pavilion and facility fees were higher than expected after accounting for refunds, while pool charges and day camp fees fell short of projections. Berthoff cited specific program revenues — Little People Playtime about $21,000 and the sports camp about $97,000 — and noted donations including $3,500 from Middletown Little League and $600 from the Kiwanis Club. He said the department received $37,510 from the Orange County Youth Bureau this year against an expected $58,000 and had collected roughly $19,000 of that amount so far with two quarters remaining to claim funds.

The presentation outlined which programs are revenue-positive and which are sustained as community amenities. On the ice rink and some classes, Berthoff said, "it will never pay for what it costs to actually run it and have that amenity for the city residents, but we do charge a fee," emphasizing the department's decision to maintain certain offerings for community benefit rather than profit.

Completed 2024 capital and maintenance work included new lights, a pavilion, expanded parking, new bleachers and soccer goals at Wolfslayer Field; bike trails at the reservoir; cleanup and sight‑line work at Thoreau Park; and a new roof and painting at Maple Hill pool. The department also purchased a turf‑line robot to reduce manpower and paint costs.

Looking ahead to 2025, Berthoff listed projects in staging and sequencing: a splash pad and associated site work, a storage shed and score booth at Will Slater Field, Hampshire Park bathroom work and a planned grand opening for newly built mountain bike trails. He said a proposed handball court has been held until splash pad construction is complete to avoid equipment and vehicle conflicts during heavy construction.

Assistant Superintendent Nicole Sarakis and Program Coordinator Salinas Rodriguez reviewed events and partnerships that supported programming: collaborations with the Middletown Lions Club, Middletown Police Department, the BID, the school district and local businesses. Sarakis highlighted recurring and seasonal events — city pride cleanup, summer movie nights (one sponsored by First Federal Savings Bank), story time at Davidge Park, a back‑to‑school barbecue, pumpkin and Halloween park events, and a Dec. 22 showing with the Paramount Theater — and outlined holiday activities including a tree lighting, letters to Santa (mailbox at John F. Degnan Square) and a Santa workshop.

The department also described program expansion beyond athletics: new and growing offerings included baby sign‑language classes, music classes for young children, five‑ and six‑week craft sessions, crochet clinics open to youth and adults, life‑skills classes and increased adult programming such as pickleball. On youth programming, Sarakis said the Youth Boxing 'Young Warriors' program received $15,600 in youth‑bureau funding this year after requesting $12,510 due to higher-than-expected attendance, and a separate open‑gym program received $25,000 from the Orange County Youth Bureau.

Berthoff closed by thanking council members for support and provided departmental contact details for residents: the office phone number is 845-346-4180 and the department maintains Facebook, Instagram and TikTok accounts for program updates.

After a short round of praise from council members and committee members, the chair sought and received a motion to adjourn; the committee voted in favor and ended the meeting.

What happens next: the department will proceed with splash pad site work and other 2025 projects as planned; the council did not take further formal action during this session.