October 11, 2005

 

ALVARADO GETS THREE NEW BALL FIELDS FOR YONKERS
Night-lighted Addition To Tibbetts Brook Park Due To Open In 2006

Thanks to County Legislator José I. Alvarado (D-I-WF, Yonkers), it will soon be a lot easier to find a place to play ball in Yonkers. As a result of Alvarado’s efforts, three new all-purpose athletic fields will be added to Tibbetts Brook Park in Yonkers. At the official ground breaking of the fields recently, Alvarado said he was elated to finally cut the ribbon on this project. "I've been working to get this project underway ever since my first term in the legislature,” Alvarado said. “We expect these fields to be completed in the summer of 2006 and they will be a dream come true.”

The shortage of athletic fields was first identified in 2001 but enough undeveloped space had to be found to accommodate at least three fields. The County was able to lease three acres of state-owned land next to the park, a site large enough to include the three playing fields, 125 parking spaces and a facilities building with public restrooms.

The artificial-turf fields will be lighted for evening use by special lamps that limit glare to the area outside the park. “We were sensitive to the concerns of the neighborhood in designing this project,” said Alvarado, who chairs the Board’s Committee on Parks & Recreation. “The lighting, the parking lots and the other facilities respect the residents and, at the same time, give teams and families a convenient, comfortable and safe place to enjoy active recreation.”

Alvarado further noted that the $7 million project had solid bi-partisan support from the administration and the legislature. “My colleagues from both sides of the aisle supported the project from the start,” Alvarado said. “It was truly a successful team effort!”