MINUTES
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON PARKS,
3:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Chair: V. Pinto. Members: B. Spreckman; W. Ryan;
BOL & STAFF: B. Dodds, C. Ryer-Secretary.
ALSO PRESENT: Hon. Paul Feiner, Supv. (G’burg); Gerard Byrne, Comm. (G’burg Parks); Bill Randolph (CE’s ofc.).
DISCUSSION:
Chair Pinto called the meeting to order at 3:18 p.m., with a quorum. The minutes of March 12th were approved on the motion of Legislator Spreckman, seconded by Chair Pinto with a vote of 2-0 (Legislator Ryan was out for the vote.) New agenda items were also reviewed item #7 will be forwarded to Commissioner Stan Motley and Legislator George Oros, along with a letter of support that concurs with Oros to the Parks and CE’s office to lend assistance. The support letter is in regards to the upcoming New Croton Dam’s Centennial in 2006, to produce a documentary film focusing on the engineering and construction history.
With regard to agenda item #8 (Lenoir Preserve), a letter of thanks will be sent to Mr. John D’Agnillo, for the information he supplied, which will be forwarded to the County Parks Board. An e-mail correspondence was received regarding golf fees, which will be forwarded to Deputy Commissioner, Joe Stout for follow-up. The County Attorney has been requested to look into whether there is a policy for advertising on the County golf courses and properties, and to respond back to the Committee with any information. Chair Pinto noted, that earlier in the year, a Committee meeting was held, in which every recreation superintendent throughout the County was invited, for a fact-finding session to update the reports of several years ago with regard to obtaining recreational facilities for all communities in the County to utilize.
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Next, Paul Feiner and Jerry Byrne expressed the need for a pedestrian bridge to link the west side of Ardsley to the east side, at Macy Park. Mr. Feiner added that a pedestrian bridge would make the area more useable and convenient, as well as, enhance Macy Park. He also noted that a pedestrian bridge would aid cyclists (especially non-experienced), who use the routes along 9 and 9A, due to the heavy volume and dangers of traffic. Chair Pinto stated that he would forward the request to the County Parks Commissioner, to be placed on their Board agenda for the next Parks Board meeting. Several suggestions to be considered were made:
• request that the County Executive allow a specific line item, in future Budget, for acquisition or development of new ball fields;
•add lights to existing fields;
• funding through grants for new and existing fields; and
• partnerships with communities.
The discussion continued focusing, on looking at future Capital Projects for acquiring parkland for multi-use purpose ball fields. Chair Pinto expressed that every community should be working together on this effort. Mr. Byrne expressed that when looking to acquire parkland, although land preservation is a good thing, there is a need for a balance for recreational use of parks.
Legislator Ryan expressed the need for additional soccer fields to meet the needs of White Plains soccer leagues, and is looking into the possibility of establishing temporary fields in the Saxon Woods Park (pool area parking lot.) Chair Pinto suggested a draft letter to the Department of Parks to expedite this project at Saxon Woods. He also mentioned that a call was received from the Lincoln Park Association (Yonkers), with regard to establishing a bike trail in the Lincoln Park area.
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Chair Pinto had an update announcement that Barbara Dodds (Program Specialist) has a book with the schedule of all upcoming Parks Board meetings, with progress details and updates.
With no further business to discuss, on the motion of Legislator Latimer, seconded by Legislator Ryan, the meeting adjourned at 4:06 p.m.