Orange County legislator Jeffrey Berkman of Middletown is urging County Executive Edward Diana and Middletown Mayor Joseph DeStefano to move ahead with plans for the county to lease the city eight acres of land to be incorporated into the Maple Hill Park.

Berkman said the county, the city and the Town of Wallkill have verbally committed to entering into an inter-municipal agreement. He said the proposal has been on the drawing boards for several months and he would like to see a renewed effort to get a contract completed. “I'm confident all the parties involved… all share the commitment to turning over this surplus county property of eight acres and have than incorporated into a fine park, Maple Hill Park.

Berkman said he would like to see the contract signed by next month so that “modest park improvements” could be accomplished by this spring.