Dobbs Park

The park today

Dobbs Park sits off Maple Street (Route 129) in the heart of the village. It has a Little League baseball field, a basketball court, and a playground — all newly rebuilt in 2026. A Village Resident/School District Recreation Photo ID is required to use the park, and the playground and basketball court are open 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

History

The ball field here was originally called the John F. Kennedy Field. In February 1986 the Village officially renamed it the Madeline G. Dobbs Field in memory of Madeline Dobbs, who volunteered for more than 30 years in service to youth baseball and the Croton Little League program; a dedication ceremony followed in June 1986. In February 1992 the park as a whole was renamed the Ernest and Madeline Dobbs Park to memorialize both Madeline and her husband Ernest "Ernie" Dobbs, a dedicated village volunteer who served on the Central Veterans Committee and chaired the Village's Recreation Advisory Committee.

The park last saw major renovation in 1999. On June 21, 2021, the Board of Trustees (Resolution 98-2021) authorized a $440,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application, through the Westchester County Urban County Consortium, to remove and replace the playground and basketball court. The village was awarded $200,000 in CDBG funds, and on May 21, 2025 (Resolution 120-2025) the Board authorized an intermunicipal agreement with Westchester County to receive them. On September 24, 2025 the Board awarded two construction bids: the playground and basketball court work to Peter J. Landy Inc. of Hawthorne, NY for $345,093.40 (Bid 12-2025, Resolution 234-2025), and renovation of the baseball field to Greenway Property Services of Stamford, CT for $58,000 (Bid 14-2025, Resolution 235-2025).

Construction began March 9, 2026. The renovated field reopened for Little League Opening Day on April 11, 2026, the new playground opened May 15, 2026, and the village held a ribbon-cutting on June 17, 2026. The projects replaced the playground equipment and basketball court, added new turf, fencing and safety updates to the field, and protected walkways against settling; Westchester County's Planning Department provided design work pro bono.

Who the Dobbses were

Madeline G. Dobbs was a longtime Croton volunteer who spent over 30 years supporting youth baseball and the Croton Little League program; the ball field was named for her in 1986, shortly after her death. Ernest "Ernie" Dobbs, her husband, volunteered on the village's Central Veterans Committee and chaired the Recreation Advisory Committee; the park took both their names in 1992.

Visiting

Hours

Playground and basketball court hours are 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM (per the village Recreation & Parks Department).

Getting there

Off Maple Street (Route 129) in the heart of the village, a short walk from the Upper Village business district.

Rules

A Village Resident/School District Recreation Photo ID is required. Dogs are prohibited in village parks unless otherwise noted. Athletic fields may not be used when a "Fields Closed" sign is posted; park facilities operate on the schedule posted at the facility (Village Code Chapter 168).

Accessibility

Links

• Village Parks, Trails & Open Space (Village of Croton-on-Hudson)
• Dobbs Park Playground & Basketball Court Renovation (village project page)
• Memorials & Monuments — Dobbs Park naming history (Village of Croton-on-Hudson)
• Croton-on-Hudson Celebrates Completion of Dobbs Park Capital Projects (River Journal, June 24, 2026)