KAPLOWITZ PROPOSAL FOR NEW PARK IN YORKTOWN SKATES THROUGH LEGISLATURE
Yorktown to get $250,000 in Legacy Program funds for new skate park
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 24, 2007
Contact: Michael B. Kaplowitz at (914) 995-2848 or Kaplowitz@westchesterlegislators.com
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| Legislator Michael Kaplowitz (D/Somers), far left, joins Legislator George Oros (R/C-Cortlandt), far right, and members of The Concerned Citizens for Safe Skateboarding in Yorktown following the Board of Legislators August 20 approval of $250,000 to construct a modular skate park on vacant land adjacent to Yorktown Hall. |
After meeting with a group of Yorktown teens and their Moms who asked for his help in making their dream of a local skate park come true, Westchester County Legislator Michael B. Kaplowitz (D-I-WF, Somers), chairman of the County Board’s Budget & Appropriations Committee, not only listened, but delivered.
“It was really a pleasure to work with this group,” said Kaplowitz, who also recently delivered a record-setting $6 million to his Northern Westchester district for two brand new ball fields. “These kids, along with their Moms, really did their homework. This is a great example of how getting involved and working with your representatives in government can really make things happen.”
The vote to approve the funding for the skate park took place at a special meeting of the Board of Legislators on Monday. The measure was passed unanimously.
Linda Gironda, the leader of the group which has named themselves Concerned Citizens for Safe Skateboarding in Yorktown (CCSSY), said she could not “thank Legislator Mike Kaplowitz and the County enough for providing the Legacy funding for the teens. This is an opportunity to provide diversified recreational sports for not only these Yorktown kids, but for kids throughout Westchester County,” Gironda said.
Tommy Beyrer, a junior at Yorktown High School and an avid skate boarder said, “It’s been a great experience to work with my friends and the government. Especially Legislator Kaplowitz, because he worked hard and taught us a lot about the process. If it wasn’t for Mr. Kaplowitz, this never would have happened. He’s really a cool guy.”
Kaplowitz also credited the project’s success to fellow lawmaker George Oros (R,C – Cortlandt), who Kaplowitz said was very supportive from the beginning. “I want to thank Legislator Oros for his assistance. His support was key in making this skate park a reality.”
Oros, the Legislature’s Minority Leader, gave kudos to Kaplowitz as well. “I commend Legislator Kaplowitz, because he really did jump on this when these kids came forward with the proposal, and was able to move it along very quickly,” said Oros during the Board meeting on Monday.
The kids and their Moms thanked Legislator Oros as well for his support.
The $250K will come from the County’s popular Legacy Program – an initiative started in 2001 to address the shortage of active recreation areas in Westchester. Legacy money enables local municipalities to acquire land and/or construct new or enhance existing recreational facilities. In exchange, the local municipality agrees to be responsible for the operation, maintenance, scheduling and security of the new complex.
The new “Patriot Skate Park” will be located next to Yorktown Town Hall and will consist of a 65’ x 120’ modular skate park, requiring 7,800 square feet of blacktop and crushed stone.
Kaplowitz noted that since the park is being funded by the Legacy Program, it will be open to all Westchester residents.
Kaplowitz thanked Westchester County Executive Andy Spano and the County’s Planning and Parks Departments for their hard work and support, particularly Assistant Parks Commissioner Peter Neglia, who oversees the Legacy Program.
Kaplowitz also thanked Yorktown Town Councilmembers Matt Metz and Lou Campisi, along with Town Clerk Alice Roker and Yorktown Parks Department staff for their assistance.
