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SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON PARKS,
3:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Chair: V. Pinto. Members: B. Spreckman; B. Ryan.
STAFF: Barbara Dodds; Peter Neglia; Charlotte Ryer
ALSO PRESENT: Bill Randolph (CE’s ofc.); W. Chip Matthews (WC/PRC); Irene Saltzburg; Lawrence Croen; Harold Romanoff.
The meeting was called to order at 3:20 p.m., by Chair Pinto. Today’s meeting focused on agenda item #24, regarding the request for a Soccer Field on the Bronx River Parkway Reservation, in the area adjacent to the parking lot near the County Center. Chair noted that he, Program Specialists Peter Neglia and Barbara Dodds, along with the Assistant Commissioner of Recreation for Nassau County, toured the Nassau/Hempstead facility. The area contained two (2) facilities on approximately 30-acres of open space (pictures on file), and Chair Pinto stated that he is looking for a similar area in Westchester County to develop as a multi-purpose field for County recreational use. The two facilities in Nassau County are maintained through a grant project and fund endowments through corporations. He added, there are several areas in the County for consideration, and if any parkland should be used for purposes other than recreation or passive recreation, it would have to be de-dedicated. A copy of the “Municipal Recreation Survey 1997” was distributed to the Committee, which was provided by the Department of Planning (copy on file.)
Legislator Ryan questioned the effect on the parking accommodations at the County Center if a temporary soccer playing field was constructed on the field near the County Center parking lot. His concern was whether this proposal had been considered and fully reviewed.
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Chip Matthews responded, that one of the main concerns of the Parks Departments was the parking lot, and that it takes in the overflow parking from the County Center events. However, as Legislator Ryan pointed out, the Department is fully informed of the Center’s schedule of events, and could prepare the field and make it available when not needed for parking. Another serious issue is when the weather is very wet, cars parked in the lot would cause the ground to give way and create an unsafe surface for the soccer participants. Mr. Matthews also expressed that he did not think the area (near the County Center) would accommodate two soccer fields. He questioned whether the Board of Education or the City of White Plains would control the facility. Legislator Ryan responded, that due to the growing demand for soccer fields in White Plains and many other communities – it would help to create a temporary field that could be utilized by the various communities, from season to season, without interfering with the County Center functions and parking needs. Legislator Ryan asked for the Parks Department to get back to the Committee on this issue.
Chair Pinto thanked Mr. Matthews, and continued the meeting. Irene Saltzburg spoke on the need for curators to be appointed to the wildlife sanctuaries, which has been in Committee discussions for several years. She expressed that if open space for passive recreation is valued, it needs to be protected, staffed and budgeted for. Ms. Saltzburg requested that they pursue with obtaining a budget for curators to be appointed.
Lawrence Croen addressed the Committee next, and stated that he and Harold Romanoff will meet with County Executive Spano and Larry Schwartz, next week to discuss the issues regarding the County golf courses (5). He proceeded to read a letter, which was then given to the Committee (in PRC file). The letter expressed the difficulty in obtaining
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information from the Parks Commissioner and noted that the (golfers) Board appointed Legislator Vito Pinto to act as their liaison to the County Parks Board. Chair Pinto verified that Mr. Schwartz would be meeting with Mr. Croen and Mr. Romanoff (next week) to discuss the issues and proposed resolution. Mr. Pinto also expressed that he felt the BOL could not, effectively, act on the resolution (as presented) without the consideration of the Executive Board and County Parks Recreation Board. Mr. Croen mentioned he spoke with Mr. Latimer (before the meeting began), and Mr. Latimer noted that, the results of next weeks meetings would determine how he (personally) felt about presenting the resolution. Chair Pinto noted that the Resolution was signed by the Special Committee on Parks (voted out) pending the confirmation from the County Attorney that the matter will be discussed and voted on when, if any, there is a legal impact – if not, the resolution will be presented in the same way as any other. Mr. Romanoff further discussed the process of making reservations for tee-off time, and emphasized how the reservations become full within the first few minutes after opening.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 4:10 p.m. on the motion of Legislator Ryan, seconded by Legislator Spreckman.