KAPLOWITZ TO PUSH PROPOSAL FOR 125-ACRE PARCEL OF HILLTOP HANOVER TO BE DEDICATED AS PARKLAND
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 30, 2007
Contact: Michael B. Kaplowitz, Tel: (914) 995-2848
Westchester County Legislator Michael B. Kaplowitz (D-I-WF, Somers), chairman of the County Board’s Budget & Appropriations Committee, will be reviewing a proposal at his next committee meeting that, if passed by the full Board of Legislators, would dedicate 125 acres of the 180-acre Hilltop Hanover Farm in Yorktown as parkland.
According to Kaplowitz, the 125 acres of land includes most of the wooded area of the property on the eastern side of Hanover Street.
“I want to thank the County Executive for his continued support of Hilltop Hanover and for joining me in our common commitment to preserving open space in northern Westchester, “ said Kaplowitz, who spearheaded the 2003 acquisition of the 180-acre farm located in the watershed of the Croton Reservoir.
“This proposal, if passed, will be a great enhancement for Yorktown and all of Westchester County,” said Kaplowitz. “I plan to do everything possible to shepherd this measure through as quickly as possible.”
In March of this year, Kaplowitz appropriated $2.5 million to fund renovations at the Hilltop Hanover site, which included the partial reconstruction of the Hilltop Hanover Conversation and Natural Resource Center - including construction and renovations to buildings - infrastructure improvements, purchase of farm related equipment and related site work.
“As I’ve said many times, Hilltop Hanover is one of Westchester’s greatest assets. It’s not
only a farm, it’s an environmental resource center. In addition to protecting the drinking water in the Croton Watershed, it’s a place where people come to hike and explore, and a place where children can come and learn about everything from farming to beekeeping,” Kaplowitz stated.
Kaplowitz, a current member and immediate past chair of the Legislature’s Environment & Energy Committee, thanked his legislative colleagues and the County Executive for their continued support of the Yorktown farm. He also acknowledged the work of Hilltop Hanover’s new Farm Manager Lucille Munz, as well as the Watershed Agricultural Council and Cornell Cooperative Extension, who offers many programs and workshops at the farm.
