Monroe Parks and Recreation Department
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News: History of the Current Park Land

Date Published Author
3/1/2011 12:00:00 AM  Recreation Department 

1967–72 Over half of the current Park land was purchased and eastern portion developed utilizing federal, state and local funds.

1972–76 Great Hollow Lake constructed/excavated.

1973 – Park officially opened in August.

1976 – Senior Citizen’s picnic area developed with donation from Vitramon Corp.

1977 – Kiddie playground installed with Welcome Wagon donation.

1978 – Federal grant added Jr. soccer field A, diamond #4 and basketball court lighting.

1978 – Over 60 acres added by two purchases.

1982 – Concession stand constructed by Pop Warner football.

1987 – 92 acre donation by Charles J. Willinger, Jr., Trustee add land north of the lake.

1988 – Maintenance storage building completed with patio and bathroom adjacent to Senior Citizen’s picnic area.

1992 – Great Hollow Lake area completed in conjunction with State D.E.P. Grant and playground contributions from Junior Women’s Club and Juniorettes.

1992 – Kids Kreations playground built by the community with donated funds.

1995 – Iroquois Natural Gas Company donation add an east/west connecting trail and athletic fields north of lake.

1996 – Cutlers Farm Road reconstruction project adds/refurbishes stonewalls plus adds new plantings via a grant from CL&P.

1997 – Addition to Great Hollow playground installed with Jr. Women’s Club donation.

1998 – Donation from Iroquois Natural Gas Co. adds new trail.

1999 – Additional rest room building, access path and renovations added at pool bathhouse. Rails to Trails project (4.1 miles) connects park north to Monroe/Newtown border

2000 – Almost 70 acres added by two purchases brings park up to current size – 379 acres.

2002 – East playground renovation/upgrade.

2003 – Addition of basketball court lighting thanks to Panthers Basketball Camp, plus new water fountain compliments of Monroe Jaycees.

2004 – Addition/upgrade of Great Hollow playground via Youth Service Bureau grant.

2005 – Pavilion added to Concert picnic area compliments of Monroe Rotary Club with Twombly’s Nursery providing the landscaping.