NEWBURGH, N.Y. --- "If you haven't been out here to experience what it feels like to just have all this open space and these spectacular views you're missing a great opportunity," said City of Newburgh Conservation Advisory Council member Kippy Boyle.

Officials from Newburgh's planning department invited residents Saturday to visit a 7-acre site on the city's waterfront. The city is looking for its residents to relay ideas and suggestions on what the land could be used for.

"We really think the public needs a role in designing what space is down here, what remains as public open space, what may become a park and what kind of other uses are possible," said City of Newburgh City Planner Ali Church.

Newburgh's city planner says ideas have already come rolling in for the old scrap yard.

"Event rental space with a big band stand where we could have big festivals that kind of pay for the park throughout the season or there maybe 20 percent or 10 percent that needs to be set aside for some sort of for profit use to supplement the rest of the site," Church said.

Community activist and Newburgh jazz series organizer Aquanetta Wright says the space could be used as an area to immerse the residents in music and culture.

"The thing about having the Newburgh Jazz series on the waterfront for a lot of years is we were there for many years we brought people far and near," Wright said.

The development is also set to give an economic boost to the area which officials and residents say will help the entire area grow.

"We absolutely can use this for just that you now quality of life issue absolutely important," Wright said.

"Parks have also proven to greatly increase economic development. People want to come to parks, they want to visit parks and they want to live near a park," Church said.

Local business owners say the development will increase buzz around town.

"I'd like to see them start the jazz festival or jazz concerts back down here again. I'm involved with that I basically take care of all the technology need that they have,"  Newburgh Local Business Owner Anthony Bruce.

City officials say they hope to have the finalized product of the park finished in a few years.