Parks & Recreation
RecreationThe Village and Town of Greene collaborate on managing the recreation programs and facilities of the area through the Joint Recreation Committee (JRC). In 1994, the Joint Recreation Commission worked with the Greene Central School District and outside consultants to produce the Greene Recreation Study and Master Plan, which reviewed recreational facilities and opportunities in the Town and Village of Greene and laid out an implementation strategy for long-term improvement. This effort led to a successful campaign to raise funds and build a town pool and athletic fields in cooperation with the Greene Central School District.
The following public recreational facilities are available to Town residents:
Baseball fields
Basketball courts
Football fields
Indoor swimming pool
Soccer fields
Softball fields
Tennis courts
Other recreational opportunities available in the Town:
Archery
Bicycling
Boating / canoeing / kayaking
Bowling
Cross country skiing
Fishing
Fitness centers
Golf
Hiking / horse trails
Hunting
Snowmobiling
Other recreational opportunities nearby:
Downhill skiing
Also available in the Town are aerobics classes, a dance studio and martial arts classes, ceramics, theater productions, art gallery, art classes, museum, and library programs. Winter brings snowmobiling, cross country and downhill ski areas are an easy commute. The Chenango River Theater is purchasing the old Page Print building, in which they plan to develop into a professional theater featuring Actor’s Equity members.
Issues:
The Joint Recreation Committee currently works well as a means of managing and promoting recreational opportunities in the Town of Greene.
Opportunities:
If the railroad should be abandoned, the right-of-way could become a recreation trail for hiking, bicycles, snowmobiles with a direct connection to the Chenango Valley State Park to the south, and Norwich’s proposed greenbelt system to the north. The Joint Recreation Committee might develop a plan for when it becomes available, and pursue Rails to Trails funds for its development.
Parks:
The Ball Flats, next to the Chenango River, are owned and maintained by the Greene Central School District, although are underway to transfer ownership of the Ball Flats to the Village of Greene. The Ball Flats offer playground equipment as well as ball fields, and are open for public use. The Ball Flats are used by the Joint Recreation Committee for their summer activity programs, and by the public, for family reunions and community events. Grant monies for further improvements are being pursued.
Lion’s Park, just off Washington Street, is an ongoing service project of the Lion’s Club of Greene. The 41 acre park offers two baseball diamonds, a low-impact running track with space for soccer or field hockey, a horse shoe pit and open space. The fields are used by Little League and the Joint Recreation Soccer Program. A covered and lighted pavilion (capacity 500), kitchen facilities, rest rooms are available for rent for weddings and other events.
Public access sites for canoeing and fishing include the pond at Cook’s Park, 3 miles east of the Village of Greene on the south side of Rt. 206; Long Pond located in the Town of Smithville off Rt. 41; and Round Pond, 1 mile west of Smithville Flats. (Information courtesy of GreeneNYS.com)
At this time, there are no parks or playgrounds under the jurisdiction of the Town of Greene.
Issues:
A transfer of ownership from the Greene Central School District to an intermunicipal authority consisting of the Town and Village of Greene is being worked out for the Ball Flats, in order to make it possible for municipal grant monies awarded to the Town for recreation improvements to be used to make needed renovations to the fields and restrooms.
Opportunities:
The new inter-municipal Parks authority, once established, will become the appropriate body to manage existing parks, and perhaps pursue the development of a Town park.