Middletown parks superintendent reviews 2025 revenues, programs and 2026 projects

Superintendent Berthof presented a 2025 year‑end report to the Middletown Recreation and Parks Committee, outlining revenue results, recent capital projects and plans for 2026.

Berthof told the committee that pool revenue exceeded the department’s expectations and that overall pool receipts exceeded 2024 by about $4,000. "We exceeded what we expected to bring in," she said, citing higher attendance at city pools.

The presentation detailed staffing and program leads, thanking full‑time and part‑time staff and volunteers who support year‑round and seasonal offerings. Berthof named her core full‑time team (Nicole Sarakis, Salinas Rodriguez and Kelly Ocasio) and several program leads and maintenance staff, and noted parks maintenance is overseen by Deputy Commissioner of Parks John Bianchi and working supervisor Matt Bridal.

On funding, Berthof summarized revenue accounts (projections versus receipts to date, noting November and December financials were not yet included). She reported donated funds — Little League $3,500 and Lions Club $250 — and said the department awarded $2,180 in camp scholarships this year and maintains $11,795 in the scholarship account. Concerning county support, Berthof said the department received allocations to offset program costs (playground summer program $10,000; boxing staffing $12,510; a $5,000 cap was noted for a newly funded toddler program) and that a $48,115 Orange County Youth Bureau grant will largely be realized once remaining quarterly claims are submitted and recorded in 2026.

Berthof provided a program revenue breakdown showing boxing as the largest single program line ($16,257 to date), Little Wreckers toddler program ($13,000), and smaller amounts across crafts, clinics and classes. She noted some programs ended when volunteer or contract instructors left (martial arts and crochet), and that certain offerings are vulnerable to low enrollment.

The superintendent reviewed completed 2025 capital and program projects: a new press box at Slayer Field; expanded mountain bike trails at the reservoir; new picnic tables at Lion Shelter purchased with capital money; a renovated boxing facility with city‑owned equipment; and completion of the Amtra bathroom project, replacing porta‑potties with permanent restrooms.

Looking to 2026, Berthof previewed a Fitness Court studio expected in spring with an adjacent open studio area for classes. She said a planned handball court has capital funding but construction is paused because the proposed site is near the planned splash pad; the department hopes to break ground on the train‑themed splash pad in 2026. "We're really excited about the Fitness Court studio," Berthof said.

Aldermen offered praise and a few operational clarifications during a short question period. On transportation, Berthof said families are responsible for getting children to camps and that the department only provides transportation to pool sites, adding, "That's $260 a day to take the kids from Monhagen to Davidge to swim." On program access, she said non‑residents may join most programs for an additional membership and registration fee, but "everyone is welcome."

The meeting closed with a motion to adjourn; the transcript records a mover and a second but does not record the vote outcome.

The department’s next procedural step is continued outreach to boost camp enrollment, further grant reimbursement submissions to finalize 2025 accounting, and planning for 2026 capital work including the fitness court and splash pad.