After Nine Years, Camarda Park Opens to the Public

Paul Camarda gives a thumbs-up as he rejoices once the park officially opens. Photo by Eric Gross

Paul Camarda beamed like a proud father!

Last Saturday, after nine years of discussion, some contentious debate, and finally construction, a 37-acre parcel of land off Seminary Hill Road donated by the Putnam entrepreneur to the Town of Carmel for the municipality's first town-owned park in the hamlet of Carmel was officially opened.

The rainy weather didn't matter to the exuberant crowd of more than 250 who were on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Camarda admitted "things were difficult at times over the years, with misinformation and innuendo spread by those who opposed the facility. There was not one stick of dynamite used to clear the land. There are no traffic tieups on Seminary Hill Road. Wetlands were not encroached on. The fear is over. The park is here. The dream has come true!"

Camarda praised the town administration and Putnam Legislator Mary Ellen O'Dell for their drive and determination that allowed the park to become reality. "Plan well and perseverance will prevail," said Camarda, who wept when remembering his long-time friend and former Councilman James McDonough, who lost a valiant battle to cancer three years ago. "Jimmy wanted recreational facilities for our kids. I promised him on his deathbed that the park would become reality. Jimmy, this is for you," he said looking to the heavens.

Camarda said he donated the land to the town because "a great need existed. Mary Ellen came to me and said: 'Paul—we know you have a lot of land! What can you do? Where can we put fields?' In addition to donating the land, my company has constructed an 800-foot road entering the park, which was completed in June 2000. That road has been waiting a long time for vehicles to use it. Now people are playing on these fields."

Supervisor Kenneth Schmitt commended Camarda for his drive and determination. "The man really has this town and county at heart. Without his effort and generosity, there wouldn't have been a new park in our town—the first for the hamlet of Carmel," he said.

O'Dell lauded Camarda for his community spirit. "When I first met with Paul when serving on with Carmel Sports Association, I told him, 'We have the kids. We have the families, the needs and dreams. All we need is a parcel of land!' Paul told me that he'd get back to me, and he was back in no time. That was 13 years ago. The negatives are over with. This town can't thank Paul Camarda enough for his fields of dreams!"

A number of dignitaries spoke at the ribbon cutting, including County Executive Robert Bondi, Sheriff Don Smith, Supervisor Schmitt, former Carmel Supervisor and Deputy County Executive Frank DelCampo, and Carmel Councilman Robert Ravallo.

Camarda's family was with him for the ribbon-cutting, including his wife, Marilyn, son, Paul Jr., daughter, Jessica and his dad, Paul Camarda Sr., for whom the park is named.