Dutchess County to Host 4th Annual Special Needs Picnic
August 16th at Freedom Park
Poughkeepsie… Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro invites children with special needs, their families and support agencies to Dutchess County’s fourth annual Special Needs Picnic on Tuesday, August 16th at Freedom Park, 212 Skidmore Road, in LaGrange from noon to 1:30 p.m.The picnic is a free event, and reservations are required.
“We are thrilled to again offer this special event, which draws the community together for a common goal: to give children with special needs and their families a great afternoon of fun,” County Executive Molinaro said. “Our annual picnic is just one way we in Dutchess County ‘Think DIFFERENTLY’ about residents with special needs, helping connect their families with agencies and organizations which can greatly impact children’s lives. We are proud to host events like this, which demonstrate Dutchess County’s commitment to our neighbors of all abilities.”
This year’s picnic is being put on with the assistance of the Dutchess County Department of Community & Family Services (DCFS), Department of Public Works, the Department of Behavioral & Community Health, the Office for the Aging and the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office. The picnic menu will include some time-tested kid favorites, such as hot dogs, hamburgers, macaroni and cheese, and more!
In addition to the picnic’s live music, dancing, recreational activities, and face painting, children can spend time with a four-legged K-9 officer from the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office as well as a therapy dog, and they can get up close to touch a Department of Public Works truck and a LaGrange Fire District firetruck. The Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum will bring its popular Imagination Playground, which teaches math, spatial reasoning, social skills and problem solving, on which children can play and learn. Local agencies, such as Abilities First, Taconic Resources and MidHudson Regional Hospital, will be on hand to assist families in search of services for their children with special needs.
The Special Needs Picnic is made possible with donations. Local businesses interested in being an event sponsor can call (845) 475-3578 for more information about how to support this popular event. Sponsorships include prominent recognition on all future promotional materials for the picnic.
To make reservations for the picnic, please RSVP at dutchessny.gov/rsvp as soon as possible as space is limited.
