April 27, 2007

COUNTY BOARD CHAIR RYAN AND LEGISLATOR SWANSON DEDICATE THE LATEST LEGACY BALLFIELD IN VALHALLA

Valhalla Little Leaguers have a new place to play thanks to a Westchester County program that has been providing much-needed ballfields for the past five years.

 

On April 21, County Board Chairman William Ryan (D/White Plains) and Legislator Suzanne Swanson (R/Mount Pleasant) joined county and local officials to celebrate the opening of the ballfield at the Bronx River Parkway Reservation.

 

The field came about through the county's “Legacy” program, a multi-year initiative created in 2001 to alleviate the lack of recreational areas, particularly playing fields, in Westchester.  Under the terms of program, the county will build a ball field but the municipality where the field is located must agree to operate it on the county's behalf.

The Town of Mount Pleasant will operate and maintain the new Valhalla field.

 

“This Bronx River project was initiated by Legislator Swanson a number of years ago,” Ryan said.  “Sue had asked me to support the project. We wanted it fast-tracked so it would be used by the kids this season.”

 

The Legacy program fills an important need in the county, Ryan said. “There’s a tremendous shortage of fields in Westchester County,” he said. "Thanks to the Legacy program, new fields have opened in several areas in Westchester, including Rye Brook, White Plains, Yonkers and Peekskill and now, Valhalla."