The Hyde Park Visual Environment Committee held its biannual beautification awards ceremony last week, with the event attended by more than 50 guests who turned out to recognize the honorees who help keep Hyde Park as scenic as possible.
The mission of the environmental committee is twofold: to advocate for and help preserve the scenic and historic resources of Hyde Park and to improve the physical appearance of the town. Accomplishments of the comittee over the last year have included: maintenance of the Route 9 roadside at the southern end of town, rebuilding of stone walls, funding and implementation of the new banners in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, building of stone walls at Staatsburg Library, implementation of biodiversity mapping through a grant to Hudsonia and hanging flower baskets at Crossroads, among other projects.
The Beatification Awards allow the committee the opportunity to recognize businesses, institutions and members of the community who give their time, effort and resources toward the improvement of the town.
Special commendations this year were given to the Town Planning Board and to Bob Baxter for their efforts to preserve and improve the visual appeal of Hyde Park.
Businesses awarded at the ceremony include Twist Restaurant, Dunkin’ Donuts, Thai House and Pete’s Famous Restaurant. Residents who received awards were Bob and Jody Mulvihill, David Weiss, Lylla Paddyforte, Daniel Banyai, Daniel and Randi Speedling and David and Andrea Osterhoudt. Signage citations were given to the Young Chef’s Academy, Children’s Medical Group, Gus Serroukas, Ark Animal Hospital and the Landings at Hyde Park.
Institutions honored included Emergency One, Our Lady of the Rosary, Hyde Park Methodist Church and the Hyde Park Train Station. Landscaping awards were presented to Bob and Jody Mulvihill, Terry Borden, Denise Jalbert, Ron and Cathy Lane and James Nichol, and stone wall beautification honors were given to Daniel Banyai, Robert T. Phillips, Bill Ring, Jose Perez-Colon, Ted Luty and Bruce and Rebecca Bent II. Resident Bill Reilly earned the committee’s “Going Green” award.