John E Markel Memorial Park located at 531 North Main Street, Brewster, NY has 2 baseball fields, a basketball court and a large grassy playground. Open all year 9am to sunset. Located right next to the Brewster Fire Department you just might hear the siren go off and
watch the engines leave on an emergency but more likely you will hear (and catch a glimpse) of the Metro-North train zoom by.
Markel Park is in a perfect location for me if we want to get out of the house for an hour or stop at on our way home from errands. The playground equipment may not be the newer versions that I see at other parks but my kids love it anyway. The playground area is fenced in which is a plus for me. What I like most is the minimal amount of mulch and wood chips that is used. The park is mostly covered in grass, which is great for kicking a ball around or running races. The playground sets (slide & swing sets, climbing wall & more) are
spaced out so it keeps you and the kids moving. I often pack a snack to have at one of the several picnic tables available. Depending on the time of the day some of the picnic tables are shaded which has been good to get out of the sun this summer.
Don't be afraid of the tick warning sign posted at the gate entrance to the park. I asked a town maintenance person about it. He said that it is posted as a precaution notice to those who use the facility.
The sign warns that ticks found in the area could cause Lyme Disease and other tick-borne diseases. It recommends taking normal tick precautions before and after being outdoors. This park once had a small pool but it has since been removed. I am not sure why the pool information is still posted.
Markel Park is definitely a local favorite for my kids (girl 2, boy 3.5).
-Regina Schwartz
