At their March 4 meeting, the Coalition of a Forward-Facing Ellenville (COFFE) outlined a few initiatives for spring.

COFFE is pressing forward with the Ellenville Youth Center Project. To that end a public meeting is scheduled now for March 22, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Village Hall, 2 Elting Court. This was originally planned for March 29, but has been moved up.

There is an online survey about community needs for the youth center that can be found at https://forms.gle/zPsb64CjS7PEP9Bz9.

Upcoming Events

There will be a Job Fair at the Ellenville Library on March 18, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Six or seven businesses have already booked tables.

A screening of the documentary 40 Below, produced by COFFE’s own Melody Gilbert, will take place at 9 Market Street on Friday, March 14. Gilbert will be there to introduce the film and take questions.

The Ulster County Nature Bus is back, offering free rides to and from Sams Point Preserve and Minnewaska State Park from the bus stop on Ellenville’s Canal Street.

Spring Cleaning

This year’s Earth Day clean-up event will be on May 3 (Rain Date May 10). Meet up at Liberty Square to collect your bags. The clean-up will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. across the village. The annual clean-up is having a visible effect. The first year, COFFE members collected 52 big bags of trash. Last year, that was down to 22. Volunteers can sign up at the COFFEE website.

The Dog Park Initiative

Elena Santogade reported that a conditional approval for a dog park, ideally located at Berme Road Park (where the new youth center is planned, too) has been granted by the village board of trustees. Now a project plan and budget are being produced.

Expert advice is sought from landscape architects. Emails to ellenvilledogpark@gmail.com.

Farmer’s Market

COFFE is looking for volunteers to help with farmer’s market set-up and breakdown. The market will begin in June and be open for business on Wednesdays through to October. Contact Josh Cohen at (917) 514-6337 if interested.