POUGHKEEPSIE – The benches that only lasted a few days on Main Street last summer before being removed by order of then-Mayor Marc Nelson have been pulled from storage and are being used by the city. Poughkeepsie Parks and Recreation Director Brian Laffin, following a conversation with Councilman Evan Menist, has placed the benches at Hulme Park at the corner of Church and Market Streets.
“Hulme Park has several basketball events each season that draw a tremendous number of people to the park and we had limited seating there,” Laffin told Mid Hudson News. Menist had used his ward’s allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to have several new benches installed on Main Street between Market and Academy Streets. The benches immediately became beds for the homeless population. Following a substantial number of complaints, including some from the police department, Mayor Nelson had DPW remove the benches and put them in storage.
“In my conversation with Councilman Menist, I asked if we could use his “Second Ward Benches” at Hulme Park and he agreed to let us put them to good use. They have been well received by the people who attend the basketball tournaments at the park,” Laffin said.
At least seven benches have been moved to Hulme Park.
