November 8, 2004

Alvarado Announces New Athletic Fields For Yonkers

Westchester County Legislator José Alvarado (D, Yonkers) went to bat for Yonkers and, as a result, Yonkers will get three new all-purpose athletic fields for youth and adult team sports.

In a unanimous vote Monday night, the Board authorized the County to lease three acres of State land next to the northernmost part of Tibbets Brook Park and to issue bonds to finance the construction of the project at the County owned park. The vote was the culmination of a collaboration of the State, the County administration, the City of Yonkers and the efforts of Legislator Alvarado and his Yonkers colleagues on the Board of Legislators.

At the Board meeting on November 8, Alvarado expressed gratitude to all who had made this project a reality. “This project was first identified in 2001 as part of the Westchester Legacy Program Report pointing to the urgent need for more athletic fields in the County,” said Alvarado, a member of the Board’s Parks and Recreation Committee. “We are very happy that the land was available, that all the environmental elements were positive and that my colleagues gave bi-partisan support to create this project in the City of Yonkers where the need is especially great.”

In an agreement with the State, the County will lease three acres adjacent to the park for $1 a year for up to ten years. To construct the site, the County will issue over $7 million in bonds to finance the design, woodland clearance and construction of three all-weather artificial turf fields, with lighting for evening use, a parking area for 125 cars and a facility building with rest rooms and storage. The City of Yonkers will be responsible for the maintenance of the area.

“This is what the people of Yonkers need, and it won’t interfere with the historic character of the park or impact the neighborhood,” said Legislator Bernice Spreckman (R, Yonkers), also a member of the Parks Committee. Legislator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D, Yonkers) said “The collaboration between the State, the County and the City of Yonkers became a winning team for our young people. We look forward to more projects like this that help the people of Yonkers.”