Maple Weekend at Dutchess County’s Bowdoin Park - March 26-29

Maple Weekend at Dutchess County’s
Bowdoin Park - March 26-29

Poughkeepsie … The Dutchess County Parks Division will host a “Sap Happy Maple Weekend” with tasty, educational, and fun events for all ages, in collaboration with the Office for the Aging, Poughkeepsie Public Library, and Farmers and Chefs restaurant, from Friday, March 26 through Monday, March 29 at Bowdoin Park, located at 85 Sheafe Road in the Town of Poughkeepsie.

“Dutchess County Parks have so much to offer and ‘Sap Happy Maple Weekend’ is another great example of how our departments collaborate on dynamic events that still consider residents’ health and safety without compromising quality or fun. Adults and children will have the chance to explore our beautiful Bowdoin Park, learn about the art and history of maple syrup production, take a fun Story Walk, and even taste syrup made at the park,” said County Executive Marc Molinaro.

Throughout the weekend, Bowdoin Park Maple Syrup will also be available for purchase at the park for $10 per bottle, while supplies last.

Sap Happy Maple Weekend Schedule:

• Pancakes in the Park Drive-Through for Senior Citizens: March 26th 11:30am-2pm. FREE, pre-registration required by calling 845-486-2555.
• Story Walk with If You Give a Pig a Pancake by Laura Numeroff: Saturday and Sunday, March 27-28, noon-5pm near the Sugar Shed. FREE, no registration required.
• Hands-On Public Maple Education Classes: Sunday and Monday, March 28-29, sessions at 10am, 12:30pm, and 3pm. $5 per person, limit 12 per session. DutchessNY.gov/Parks to register.
• Bowdoin Park Maple Syrup Menu at Farmers and Chefs Restaurant: Friday, March 26 – Sunday, March 28.

Pancakes in the Park

Pancakes in the Park will be a drive-through opportunity, in collaboration with the County’s Office for the Aging (OFA), for Dutchess County seniors to receive a free pancake breakfast, including a sample of Bowdoin Park’s own maple syrup. Seniors can pre-register by calling OFA at 845-486-2555 for a designated time to pick up their meal. Reservations are required and are limited.

“We look forward to working with Dutchess County Parks again to offer a fun, safe and socially distant opportunity for our seniors, and we are excited to help launch this year’s maple weekend at the park. It is collaborative programming such as Pancakes in the Park that make our seniors continue to feel a part of the community by providing a chance to get out and socialize during these unprecedented times,” said Office of the Aging Director Todd Tancredi.

Story Walk with If You Give a Pig a Pancake by Laura Numeroff

On Saturday and Sunday, residents of all ages can take a self-guided Story Walk to read the children’s book, If You Give A Pig A Pancake, by Laura Numeroff, in larger-than-life format. The Story Walk, in partnership with the Poughkeepsie Public Library District, will be located on the path near Bowdoin Park’s Sugar Shed on both Saturday, March 27 and Sunday, March 28 from noon to 5pm.

Hands-On Public Maple Education Classes

On Sunday and Monday, Parks staff will provide hands-on learning opportunities for all ages about the art and history of making maple syrup. Participants will get to watch the different steps of the maple syrup making process, from the tapping of trees at the park, to sap collection, and boiling it down to make syrup. Native American methods for creating maple sugar will also be explored.

Three sessions will be offered on both Sunday, March 28 and Monday, March 29, at 10am, 12:30pm, and 3pm. Classes are $5 per person and pre-registration is required. Sessions are limited to 12 participants. Visit DutchessNY.gov/Parks to register.

Bowdoin Park Maple Syrup Menu at Farmers and Chefs Restaurant

For those who can’t get enough maple syrup, thanks to a partnership with Poughkeepsie-based restaurant, Farmers and Chefs, Bowdoin Park’s Maple Syrup will be featured over several delectable dishes over the course of the weekend. Diners can visit the restaurant, located at 40 Albany Street, Poughkeepsie, to try menu items such as buttermilk fried chicken and lemon ricotta waffles, bourbon pecan pie, black walnut ice cream, and infused coconut pudding and chocolate ganache.

“We are thrilled to have such great partnerships to celebrate ‘Sap Happy Maple Weekend’ at Bowdoin. By working together, we demonstrate that successful programs can continue by teaming up, thinking creatively, and making modifications where needed. We look forward to celebrating with everyone and having our amazing parks system continue to be a source of solace, happiness, and support to all in the coming year,” said Parks Director Sandy Washburn.

To learn more about these events or other programs offered at Bowdoin Park, call the Dutchess County Parks Division at (845) 298-4600 or visit DutchessNY.gov.