Carmel, NY – Earlier this week, Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne welcomed members of the Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park Advisory Board to his office to celebrate the enactment of a resolution granting a 50% discount for seasonal park permits for County employees and first responders. The County Legislature passed the resolution during its full meeting on December 3^rd unanimously and with strong bipartisan support.

County Executive Byrne first presented the proposal during his 2025 Budget A ddress earlier this year in October. This was after Byrne requested that the recently reconfigured Veterans Memorial Park Advisory Board review and provide a recommendation on the concept. Upon the Board’s review and expressed support, County Executive Byrne then formally requested the Legislature consider the proposal for its implementation.

“This benefit to our first responders and employees serves as a small but important recognition for the contributions they make every day to our community; we appreciate what you do. This is one more way to show that your hard work does not go unnoticed,” said Byrne. “Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park is one of the County’s treasures. This Administration is always seeking new ways to further promote the park and let our residents learn more about what it has to offer. Just this year, we saw new and exciting events like the four-day long Feast of San Gennaro Festival, while we continue to make updates and even plan to build a new Veterans Museum with the assistance of a grant from Assemblyman Matt Slater.”

Putnam County Parks Director Chris Ruthven and Veterans Service Agency Director Karl Rohde, who also serve on the Advisory Board, joined Byrne during the resolution signing.

“I see firsthand everyday residents enjoy our amazing Veterans Park. This resolution will serve to further increase park attendance while showing our workers and first responders how we value them,” said Ruthven.

“The Veteran community takes pride in our county park. Any idea to have more families visit and enjoy the park while learning about the history of Veterans is welcomed,” added Rohde.

The Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park Advisory Board is a nine-member board established in the Putnam County Code. Members of the board are either Veterans of the Armed Forces or have experience in park operations. Among its duties, the board provides advice and counsel for the use, maintenance and daily operation of the Veterans Park. Members of the board are appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the Legislature to three-years terms. Board members had not been reappointed since 2015, leading the Bryne Administration to actively recruit and interview Putnam County residents to fill the board positions earlier this year.