BOARD VOTES TO RENAME COUNTY PARK AFTER ACTOR OSSIE DAVIS
Legislators announce that Library Green Park in New Rochelle is now the Ossie Davis Park

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Contact Jim Maisano, Tel: 914.9952826, Maisano@westchesterlegislators.com

White Plains, NY - County Legislators Vito Pinto (D-Eastchester) and Jim Maisano (R-New Rochelle) are happy to announce that Library Green Park, a County-owned park in the downtown area of the City of New Rochelle, has a new name. Monday evening, the Board of Legislators voted unanimously to rename the park: "Ossie Davis Park," after the internationally famed actor Ossie Davis, a New Rochelle resident who recently passed away.

Located on Huguenot Street in the heart of the downtown, Library Green Park was opened in 2001 as a unique park located within an urban setting. The 1.25 acre piece of property had many commercial uses over the years, but was transformed after the City of New Rochelle joined the County of Westchester in an intermunicipal agreement and reconstructed the area into an urban park. While the City of New Rochelle maintains the park, the County owns 99% of the park.

Legislator Pinto said, "Library Green Park has been a place where the community comes together for festivals, seasonal gatherings and entertainment. In a similar manner, Ossie Davis was known for bringing people together through his passion for the arts, his ability as an actor and his talent as a writer. I can't think of a better way to preserve his influence or a better location to do it," said Pinto.

Ossie Davis was born in Georgia in 1917, but resided many years with his beautiful wife, Ruby Dee, in his beloved adopted city of New Rochelle. He was well known as a television, film and theater star, but was also a talented playwright, screenwriter and producer. Ossie believed that arts and politics worked hand in hand and that both fields taught lessons about how to live. While he was an avid follower of the arts, Ossie was also a civil rights advocate. His lifetime achievements have made people across Westchester extremely proud.

During the Board meeting, Legislator Maisano noted that this decision was made after careful consideration by a committee established by New Rochelle citizens and was presented to the County for approval. He said, "This is a wonderful way for the people of New Rochelle to remember this wonderful and important entertainer for decades to come. Ossie Davis will always be a giant in the history of New Rochelle. The people of New Rochelle loved having Ossie Davis as a neighbor and greatly respected his diverse talents, including his advocacy for civil rights and other issues to improve our society."

The new name will take effect immediately.