KAPLOWITZ HITS HOMERUN FOR NORTHERN WESTCHESTER RESIDENTS WITH $6 MILLION FOR BALLFIELD PROJECT
Funds unanimously approved at Board of Legislators’ meeting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 18, 2007

Contact: Michael B. Kaplowitz
(914) 995-2848 or (914) 924-3404 cell

Westchester County Legislator Michael B. Kaplowitz (D-I-WF, Somers), chairman of the County Board’s Budget & Appropriations Committee, tonight led the County Board in a bi-partisan, unanimous vote that will provide $6 million in funding to construct two new ballfields adjacent to Route 132 in Yorktown.

“Area residents have spoken loud and clear about their need for more ballfields. As their representative in County government, it is my job to try and make that happen,” said Kaplowitz. “I’m thrilled to be able to deliver these much needed athletic fields to the residents of Northern Westchester. I look forward to the first pitch, which, if all goes well, should be next year.”

Kaplowitz noted that the funding will also facilitate a parking area, access road, lighting, comfort station and other related landscaping and infrastructure improvements.

“Between 1990 and 2000 the under-18 population in our county has increased by over 40,000. I know this new complex will help ease the growing need for athletic fields not only for children, but the adult population as well,” Kaplowitz stated. This is the second largest legacy program in the County to date (outside of Yonkers) and represents a partnership with Yorktown, who will share some of the significant construction work.

According to Kaplowitz, the construction of “Woodlands Field” is scheduled to begin this fall. Because the funds are coming from Westchester’s popular “Legacy Program”, all county residents will have access to the new fields.

Kaplowitz, who has worked tirelessly over the past two years to make this project a reality, made a point to thank the County’s Departments of Planning and Parks, Recreation & Conservation for their outstanding efforts, particularly Assistant Parks Commissioner Peter Neglia, who oversees the Legacy Program. He also thanks his colleague George Oros, who represents the Northern part of Yorktown, Supervisor Linda Cooper, the entire Yorktown Town Board and Highway Supervisor Eric DiBartolo, who made an invaluable contribution to the project.