MINUTES
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON PARKS,
w/COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
3:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Chair: V. Pinto. Members: B. Spreckman; B. Ryan;
G. Latimer.
LEGISLATORS: L. Bronz; K. Carsky.
STAFF: Tara Bernard; Barbara Dodds; Peter Neglia; Charlotte Ryer
ALSO PRESENT: Sal DeSantis-Comm., Joe Stout (WC/PR&C); Bill Randolph (CE’s ofc.); Lawrence Croen; Harold Romanoff; Louis Brunelli.
Chair Pinto called the meeting to order at 3:12 p.m. He noted that Board Chairman Latimer received communication from a local leaders in his district (and elsewhere) identifying the scarcity of soccer fields needed to accommodate the young children – and also expressing that the County should get involved and assist the municipalities in ascertaining where and how more soccer fields can be obtained and put into use. Chair Pinto expressed that he and Legislator Carksy will seek some direction from Chairman Latimer before proceeding with the options. They will look to see if the County presently has any suitable pro-active recreational facilities available for this purpose. Chair Pinto added, that Commissioner DeSantis stated, if there are suitable County recreational facilities that need improvements, there will be no problem with expansion or development.
Chairman Latimer added, that he has heard that community recreation fields are at a premium for both baseball and soccer, but the communities of Rye, Larchmont and Mamaroneck were having difficulties providing enough time for children in recreational programs to play their sports.
He stated that Larry Bell of Scarsdale and Barry Saltzer of New Rochelle, indicated that examples of consolidated soccer complexes in Rockland County and Long Island were, with the assistance of County government, created in order to have a central location for County traveling teams, and allow appropriate local teams the use of the facility as well. Chairman Latimer offered two suggestions; (1) having a joint committee meeting to invite and listen to, residents from the various communities who can discuss specifics, and evaluate where the degree of problems exist; and (2) to look at the operations in Rockland and Long Island, get viable information and determine whether to pursue with the efforts. Chair Pinto added, that other areas such Long Island, have utilized their schools and other facilities with large properties and playing fields and that this idea should be looked into as a possibility in our area. He also suggested raising these issues with the Subcommittee on Land Use and Open Space.
Commissioner DeSantis commented that the County Executive has asked that a meeting be scheduled in the near future with soccer league officials to determine the actual problem. He mentioned that the 1996-97 County-wide Recreation Survey did not show the concern for soccer playing fields, and also noted that 5 new soccer facilities are being planned for the County’s parks system – and also the discussion of the potential establishment of a sports/athletic complex (possibly at Memorial Field, Mt. V.), and the consideration of expanding some of the fields at Westchester Community College for soccer use. He added that the Planning Department has a survey of existing soccer fields. He emphasized that the use of these fields for seasonal games compounds with the fact that there are so few fields available for all the types of sports being played. Chair Pinto informed Commissioner DeSantis that within the next month, or so, he will communicate with Rockland and Suffolk Counties to gather information on how to regulate playing fields, sports complexes, etc. He also mentioned that he would invite soccer
groups to night meetings, and visit other communities who have soccer teams to gather more information. CA-Chair Carsky inquired where the County stands in the process of allocating the five (5) new fields, and whether or not they are County-owned properties. Commissioner DeSantis responded, that the County has 3 existing facilities that need improvement to become dual usage.
Next, Chair Pinto addressed the problem with availability in parking and the use of the facilities at the County Center, and that twice per year there is a College Fair for WCC, which serves about 5,000 parents and students who depend on the facility for parking. On May 3rd, there was a serious problem with the parking situation, due to the fact that over 65% of the space was co-opted by subcontracts to Bell Atlantic, causing participants to walk from long distances. Mr. Louis Brunelli stated that the parking area is no longer privatized and the County Center has taken over the parking lots at the facility.
Chair Pinto briefly reviewed the issues related to the funding and independent survey for the area golf courses. He noted that the Park’s Board and Park’s Commissioner established the rates and the fees for the golf courses. He added that though the issues had been brought to the Board during the budget process, no responses or comments were made regarding changing of the Friday rates. Chair Carsky adjourned Community Affairs at 4:05 p.m, and the Parks Committee continued.
The minutes of May 8th were reviewed and accepted on the motion of Legislator Spreckman, seconded by Legislator Ryan, and carried with a vote of 4-0.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 4:16 p.m. on the motion of Legislator Spreckman, seconded by Legislator Ryan, with all in favor.