A primary goal of all county services is the enhancement of the quality of life for all county residents, and the Parks Division accomplishes this by operating five active facilities: Bowdoin Park, a 301 acre park in the southwestern part of the county; Wilcox Park, which contains 615 acres in the north central part of the county; our now open and developing 27 acre Quiet Cove Riverfront Park in the Town of Poughkeepsie; the Harlem Valley Rail Trail, currently an 10 mile paved trail in the northeastern part of the county; Dutchess Stadium built in 1994, the home of the Hudson Valley Renegades as well as many other community events. Our sixth and newest park, Dutchess Rail Trail, has two sections of the trail now open; the first section, located from Bridge Street (Route 376) to Lake Walton Road in East Fishkill opened in 2007 and the second section, from Morgan Lake in the City of Poughkeepsie to Overocker Road in the Town of Poughkeepsie, opened on July 9, 2009. A wide variety of activities are conducted at these facilities: swimming, boating, picnicking, hiking, camping, miniature golf, pavilion, playgrounds, and ball fields. Additional programs/activities include the operation of an educational nature center and nature trails, and special seasonal programs.

Significant capital improvements in the parks have been made to enhance the enjoyability and accessibility of the facilities provided, while recently expanding the park facilities.

The first section of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail was opened in 1996 when the 4.5-mile trail segment from Amenia to Coleman Station Road was constructed and opened to the general public. The second 3.5-mile section, from Coleman Station Road to Millerton, was opened in 2000. The third 2.5-mile section of the trail, from Amenia to the Wassaic Train station, was opened in 2005. A $2 million dollar federal grant was obtained to facilitate construction of the trail from Millerton north to Columbia County.

Additionally, the county has an agreement with New York State to transition state-owned property at the former Hudson River Psychiatric Center into a riverfront county/state park located in the Town of Poughkeepsie just north of Marist College. The plans for Quiet Cove Riverfront Park include picnic and fishing areas, public restrooms, upland parking and a community meeting room. The improvements will be implemented in the spring of 2010. Quiet Cove opened to the public in October of 2005. Future plans include a revamped boat ramp and deep-water bulkhead.

Bowdoin Park saw the construction of a band shell in the summer of 2005, with an inaugural concert taking place on September 1, a concert which combined the talents of the band "America" with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic. In 2006, the Bandshell at Bowdoin also hosted the United States Military Academy Band as well as world renowned rocker Peter Frampton with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic. In 2007, Kenny Loggins played with his band and delighted the huge crowd. In 2008 and 2009, Bowdoin Park hosted free concerts featuring local bands, followed by spectacular fireworks displays. This venue will provide a spectacular outdoor setting for concerts and performances for many years to come. A fifth Pavilion is currently under construction on the top of the hill overlooking the majestic Hudson River. The completion of this pavilion is planned to be completed before the end of 2010.

Lastly, Wilcox Park has a large pavilion built in 2006 on a hill overlooking the 2 lakes below... It is currently the largest pavilion within Dutchess County Parks, complete with kitchen facilities and restrooms.