OUR MISSION

Chatham Area Recreation Project, (CARP) was created in 2017 as a 501c3 non-profit whose mission is to raise awareness and support for the recreation, health, vitality and sustainability of the citizens, their recreational areas and facilities in the Chatham area.

This geographic area comprises ten towns including Austerlitz, Canaan, Chatham, Chatham Center, East Chatham, North Chatham, Ghent, Old Chatham, Red Rock and Spencertown. In partnership with Chatham Area Business Alliance (CABA), the Township committees, and the Chatham school district, CARP provides fundraising, visionary leadership, and supportive action that creates healthy, diverse recreation and recreational areas; all essential reasons for people to live, raise families and conduct businesses in a community.

CARP’s goal is for Chatham to be a thriving recreational area that serves as a model other communities wish to emulate.

Our History

CARP (Chatham Area Recreation Project, a non-profit 501-C3) began with a plea from passionate residents who had created an amazing world class Disc Golf Course behind the Town of Chatham, NY’s Town Hall. The Disk Golf Course needed funds to cover new insurance requirements and changes in maintenance needs. However, the Town’s budget for supporting any recreational projects had been dwindling over the years, and providing the necessary funding for this and other projects wasn’t possible.

Community members who sat on the Town’s Parks and Recreation Committee realized that regulations prohibited the Town from fundraising for these projects. The only alternative was to create an independent, non-profit 501-C3 organization that would be able to fundraise, apply for grants, preserve projects and develop new ones. And so, CARP was founded in 2017 by committed community residents. CARP expanded their mission to include all the villages that make up the Chatham Central School District.

CARP successfully saved the Disc Golf Course from being eliminated and the land repurposed. To this day, avid local Disc golfers and those from around the country come to Chatham to enjoy this gem of recreation. It’s financed the Crellin Park Summer Camp tuition program, restored the Children’s Garden program, created an ice-skating area, financed parts of the Community Garden, helped finance renovations of the Town’s tennis courts, renovated the Town Skate Board Park and helped set-up a new Senior program.

CARP offers to all in our community, regardless of background or age, a way to connect with each other, develop our abilities, and enjoy a vibrant life. We invite you to be part of our future! If you have a passion for recreation, connecting with others, or any skills or talents you feel could be of support please email us. We welcome all new energy and ideas. Please send us an email at: Chathamarearecreationproject@gmail.com

thanks to all our volunteers! together we've created:

Senior Program at Morris Memorial in Chatham

Disc Golf course behind the Town Hall in Chatham

Crellin Park Summer Camp fee assistance

Kayak/Canoe dock at Smith Pond in Chatham Village

Support for the Chatham Community Garden

Children’s Garden at Crellin Park

Crellin Park Ice Skating Pond

Funding for supplies for the Crellin Park Tennis Courts and Youth Basketball Program

what's next?

thanks to all our volunteers! together we've created:

Creation of a new Fitness Trail in Crellin Park with walking/running trails that will include a handicap accessible fitness area

Community Fitness courses in each of the townships of Chatham

New community recreation center

Expanded skateboard/BMX park in Crellin Park

Community Apiary/beekeeping classes in Crellin Park

New lights at Crellin Park's tennis courts

OUR MISSION

Help Our Cause

Our History

thanks to all our volunteers! together we've created:

thanks to all our volunteers! together we've created:

thanks to all our volunteers! together we've created:

what's next?

thanks to all our volunteers! together we've created:

thanks to all our volunteers! together we've created:

have an idea, want to volunteer?

have an idea, want to volunteer?

have an idea, want to volunteer?

have an idea, want to volunteer?

have an idea, want to volunteer?