Bowdoin Park and County Executive Molinaro Receive “Best of Hudson Valley” Honors

Poughkeepsie… Readers of Hudson Valley Magazine have again honored Dutchess County in the “Best of Hudson Valley” survey: Bowdoin Park has been selected as the area’s Favorite Park and readers selected County Executive Marc Molinaro as the area’s Favorite Politician for 2017. The annual “Best of Hudson Valley” issue features the area’s top choices for dining, shopping, recreation, services, and more.

“For more than a decade, readers of Hudson Valley Magazine have voted one of our own great recreational and scenic assets as the Hudson Valley Region’s Favorite Park. Bowdoin Park, and all of Dutchess County’s parks including Wilcox Park, Dutchess Stadium, Quiet Cove Riverfront Park, the Dutchess Rail Trail and the Harlem Valley Rail Trail, provide residents and visitors a variety of activities to enjoy all while relishing in the attributes that makes us distinctly Dutchess. We are thrilled and grateful to once again receive this recognition which showcases the unique qualities that make the Dutchess County parks system notable in our region and throughout New York State,” said Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro.

For the last 11 years, Bowdoin Park has held the distinction of Favorite Park by Hudson Valley Magazine readers. A 301-acre park located on Sheafe Road in the Town of Poughkeepsie along the banks of the Hudson River, Bowdoin Park offers visitors numerous amenities for every season including two softball fields, three soccer fields, a community center, nature & history center, over three miles of nature trails, an ice skating rink, and sledding hill. It is also home to one of the top rated Cross-Country courses in the region.  Educational programs, including archery, maple sugaring and adult survival, are held throughout the year to familiarize people with the natural history and cultural heritage the park has to offer.  Bowdoin Park has open areas for picnicking as well as playgrounds for children, including the water spray play area which operates during summer months. The park is a popular destination for events and gatherings including family reunions, weddings and more at the many facilities available for rental including Mapleknoll Lodge, Ellessdie Chapel and the Community Center auditorium. Bowdoin Park is also home to the popular Kevin McCurdy’s Haunted Mansion attraction.

Voted among the “Best of Hudson Valley” for a fifth consecutive year, County Executive Molinaro was first elected to public office at the age of 18 in 1994, serving on the Village of Tivoli Board of Trustees.  In 1995, he became the youngest mayor in the United States. During his 22 years of public service, he has served as Dutchess County Legislator and New York State Assemblyman. He is currently serving in his second four-year term as County Executive. Many of his initiatives have focused on making county government more accessible and open to engage residents in a collective dialogue, whether it is at meetings, public forums, community events, interviews or social media. In 2015, County Executive Molinaro launched the “ThinkDIFFERENTLY” initiative which seeks to change the way individuals, businesses, organizations and communities relate to our neighbors with special needs.

The 2017 “Best of Hudson Valley” Party, which showcases this year’s winners, will be held on Thursday, October 12th at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel starting at 6:00 p.m. Abilities First is the charity beneficiary of this year’s “Best of Hudson Valley” Party. For more information, visit http://www.hvmag.com.