KAPLOWITZ SCORES WITH NEW YORKTOWN BALLFIELDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 26, 2007

You could say it was a homerun, a touchdown or a goal. But no matter what you call it, County Legislator Mike Kaplowitz has scored big for the Yorktown portion of his district, getting the town a major and much-needed $5.6 million recreational complex. When completed, the Woodlands Legacy Ballfields will feature an all-weather, multi-purpose field with lights, accommodating soccer, football and lacrosse and a natural-grass, 60-foot field for softball and Little League baseball. The multi-purpose field’s scheduled to open in autumn 2008, the natural-grass field in spring 2009.

L to R: Chairman Ryan, Legislator Kaplowitz, Yorktown Town Supervisor Linda Cooper and County Executive Spano.

The project is part of Westchester Legacy, a program that the Board of Legislators funds each year to address the shortage of active-recreation areas in the county. The fields will be a cooperative effort by the county’s departments of Parks, of Planning and of Public Works, and will be maintained and operated by Yorktown.

	“Area residents have spoken loud and clear about their need for more ballfields,” Kaplowitz, who chairs the County Legislature’s Budget Committee, said. “I’m thrilled to be able to deliver these to the residents of Northern Westchester.”

Kaplowitz praised Board of Legislators’ Chair Bill Ryan, its’ Parks and Recreation Chair Ken Jenkins and Yorktown Town Supervisor Linda Cooper for their “hard work in making this possible.” And he expressed special thanks to County Executive Andy Spano for “his commitment to and support of this and the many other Legacy Projects that have so enhanced Westchester’s quality of life.”

Board Chair Ryan said “it was Mike Kaplowitz’ enthusiasm and determination that made these ballfields possible,” adding that “when he finished making his case, the only thing left for his colleagues to say was ‘let’s get these built.’”

Noting that Westchester’s under-18 population increased by over 40,000 between 1990 and 2000, Kaplowitz said “I know this new complex will tremendously benefit not only children, but the adult population as well” and added “I just might oil up my fielder’s glove in anticipation of the opening.”