Our 2012 “Best Friends” Awards Reception was held April 11 at Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle. Our major annual fund-raising event boasted record attendance with nearly 400 environmentalists, business owners, political leaders and park advocates from throughout the County and region. This year’s event raised nearly $150,000, upping the total raised to more than a million dollars over the eight years the event has been held.

Five Westchester County Executives who served over the past 50 years – current Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino (2010-present) and former Westchester County Executives Andrew J. Spano (1998-2009), Alfred B. DelBello (1974-1982), Andrew P. O’Rourke (1983-1997), and Edwin G. Michaelian (1958-1973) (deceased) – were recognized for the important role each has played in shaping the history of the County’s parks system.

Also honored were the nine parks commissioners who have served over the past 50 years: Charles E. Pound (1962-1974), Joseph W. Halper (1974), Joseph Caverly (1975-1989), Stephen L. Elkins (1990-1992), Barry C. Samuel (1992-1994), Salvatore A. DeSantis (1994-2000), Stanley G. Motleys (2001-2002), Joseph A. Stout (2002-2009), and  Kathleen M. O’Connor (2010-present). Stout is now Executive Director of Friends of Westchester County Parks. Pound, Caverly, DeSantis, O’Connor and Stout were all on hand for the celebration.

Ossining resident David Swope, a former Friends of Westchester County Parks board member was presented with the 2012 “Best Friend” award for his outstanding commitment and generosity to land preservation, conservation and Westchester open space.

The “Best Friends” Awards Reception co-chairs were Friends of Westchester County Parks board members Christopher L. Cawley, of Buyers Edge Realty, and Hudson Valley Bank V.P. Branch Relationship Manager Linda J. Carrington.

The event committee consisted of Cawley and Carrington, as well as Joanne Fernandez, Seth Mandelbaum, Michelle McNally, Carolyn Moriarty, Glenn Pacchiana, Betsy Stern, Joseph A. Stout, Peter Tartaglia, Andy Tung and Sally Veltidi.

Friends of Westchester County Parks recently announced the results of a seven-month study of the economic benefits of Westchester County’s parks system. The $75,000 study, conducted by a nationally renowned parks consulting firm, showed that our parks provide far more than a beautiful backdrop for our recreational and leisure activities. The findings showed that the annual positive economic impact of our County’s parks is $183 million.

In challenging economic times, tough choices are required. Decision makers must weigh the benefits of competing budget items, and sometimes unwanted cuts must be made. That’s where the results of the economic and fiscal impact analysis can be helpful. The report makes a compelling case that Westchester’s parks are an economic boon to the county. In other words, the parks department is an “earn department”, not a “spend department”. Cuts to programs and facilities will, in fact, cost our economy more than they’ll save.

The non-economic benefits of our parks already more than justify the annual costs. In Westchester, that cost is only $37 per resident per year or 10 cents a day per person. The parks budget funds Westchester’s system of 50 parks, comprising more than 18,000 acres of parkland , six nature centers, six golf courses, four pools, four campgrounds, more than 200 miles of trails, the Westchester County Center, Muscoot farm, Playland amusement park and many other recreational amenities and programs.

 The study found that Westchester’s parks:

• Generate more than 1,000 full-time job equivalents in the private sector.
• Generate an additional $4.95 of spending in the county for every $1 spent on parks.
• Increased the values of property nearer to County parks and trail heads.
• Create an environment that is attractive for young people to grow their careers and personal lives, as well as deter “young professional flight” through the creation of amenities and events that are free or attractively priced.

When the County parks system was originally conceived, economic development was one of the desired outcomes. In 2012, as we prepare to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Westchester Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department, we are able to see just how valuable this investment has become.

Westchester’s parks attract visitors from throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond, and they make our county a more attractive place to do business. Westchester residents and visitors from throughout the region enjoy highly popular ethnic festivals, concert performances and other events in County parks each year. Local businesses benefit from increased spending near our parks and trails. Thousands of county residents have jobs either directly or indirectly related to our parks. More than 75% of County residents use the parks facilities or programs at least once per year.

Westchester’s elected officials have been made aware of these findings — in fact, both County Executive Robert Astorino and Westchester County Board of Legislators Chairman Ken Jenkins were on hand for the news conference at the County-owned Maple Moor Golf Course at which the findings were announced. Both acknowledged the importance and value of our parks.

We are encouraged to have support from decision makers on both sides of the aisle, but history has shown that even highly valued programs sometimes feel the squeeze when times are tough. It is for this reason that Friends of Westchester County Parks is working hard to build support for the parks from Westchester’s business and residential community.

Friends has a history of helping to bridge gaps in the parks budget by helping to fund important programs that would otherwise not continue. In December, for example, Con Edison teamed up with Friends to save the popular Bicycle Sundays program with a combined $40,000 donation. Friends also funds popular programs such as the annual Music Fest and Fireworks at the Kensico Dam Plaza and Screening Under the Stars, and has helped fund the Great Hunger Memorial, the 9/11 Memorial and other projects. Camp Morty, a summer camp for disadvantaged children, is also supported by Friends.

Our County parks provide benefits to every Westchester resident. Compared with other County services, they require a relatively small amount of money to maintain. As the study findings indicate, cutting funding to our parks facilities and programs will have have an adverse effect on the County’s economic well-being.

We have seen the numbers, we know the facts. Now it’s time to take action. Friends of Westchester County Parks is encouraging all Westchester County residents to get involved with our parks. It’s easy to become a Friend by going online to friendsofwestchesterparks.com. A contribution of as little as $25 goes a long way. And in times like these, our parks can use as many Friends as they can get.

At Friends of Westchester County Parks, we’ve been working hard all winter to fulfill our mission of helping to bridge the budget gap, raising money to buy equipment, fund children’s programs, provide amenities and support the Westchester County Parks System.

With budgets tight, our work is more important than ever, so we’re counting on support from our friends more than ever. Support comes in many forms, and we appreciate all we can get. We’ve identified a few key areas where your support can make a very real difference to the health of Westchester’s parks and related programs:

• Become a Friend — Financial contributions are always welcome, and our goal is to make donating to Friends of Westchester County Parks as easy and rewarding as possible. You can donate by visiting the Friends of Westchester County Parks website, calling us at (914)864-7048, or by mail at Friends of Westchester County Parks, 25 Moore Avenue, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. You  can become a ‘Friend’ with a donation of just $25, and we have a series of ‘Friendship’ levels ranging up to $5000 and more.
• Attend Our Awards Reception – Our annual “Best Friends” Awards Reception is slated for April 11, 2012. We’re hoping you’ll by a couple of tickets, or an entire table, and help us have a record turnout at this year’s event to be held at Glenn Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle. This event serves as Friends of Westchester County Parks’ only major fund-raising event and attracts more than 300 environmentalists, business owners, political leaders and park advocates from throughout the region. The ticket cost is $250 per person, and sponsorship packages are available. For ticket or sponsorship information, contact Linda Fleischer at (914) 864-7048 or Lafleischer14(AT)gmail.com.
• Go Paperless — When Westchester customers of Con Edison sign up to use e*bill, Con Edison will donate $1 to Friends of Westchester County Parks. Make your life easy and green – sign up for e*bill, the easy, fast, secure, and totally paperless way to pay your bill. You will help save trees and protect the environment, and Con Edison’s donation will help Friends fund important programs. Sign up today and tell your friends. With approximately one million residents in Westchester, think of the possibilities.
• Connect on Facebook — Friends of Westchester County Parks is using social media to build our community and spread the word about the work we do. You can help us spread the word by ‘liking’ us on Facebook and following us on Twitter. We post the latest news about our programs and events, and make updates that are interest to anyone who values our parks and related programs. We value your support and look forward to engaging with you on these fast-evolving social media platforms.

We’re looking forward to a great 2012 season, and we’re thrilled to have such a great community of supporters. Your help will enable us to keep Westchester’s parks clean, green and growing — and it will allow us to bring valuable parks programs to even greater numbers of residents.

Enjoy the rest of the winter, and I’ll see you in the parks!

Friends of Westchester County Parks paid tribute to Kay Carsky this past Sunday with a bench dedication in her memory. Front row, left to right: John Kirk Patrick, FWPC Executive Board Member and Secretary ; Kathy O’Connor, Commissioner of Westchester County Parks; Elizabeth Bracken-Thompson, Friends of Westchester County Parks Chairman of Board of Trustees; Kevin Plunkett, Deputy Westchester County Executive; Judy Matson, FWCP Executive Committee member; MaryJane Shimsky, Westchester County Legislator (D-Hastings-on-Hudson); Second row: Joseph Stout, FWCP Executive Director ; Shirley Phillips, FWCP Executive Committee member ; Larry Wilson, Vice Chair, Westchester County Parks, Recreation and Conservation board.

Opportunities Abound for Others to Help Improve the Future of Our Parks

Westchester County’s Parks are beautiful throughout the year — and autumn is certainly no exception. Vibrant colors and cooler weather make this time of year perfect for enjoying the outdoors. There are still plenty of golfers out enjoying our golf courses, and there are many others putting our hiking and bike trails to good use. Photographers are out taking pictures of the beautiful fall foliage, and families are picnicking in our parks.

There are so many ways our extensive parks system improves the quality of life for our residents, and makes the county a more attractive place for businesses, but we sometimes take these things for granted. This past weekend, we paused to reflect on the importance of our parks as we paid tribute to Kay Carsky — a “friend” both to us and the parks she held so dear.

Friends of Westchester County Parks paid tribute to Carsky on Sunday afternoon (October 23, 2011) with a bench dedication in her memory at Malcolm Wilson Park at the southern tip of the Bronx River Reservation in Yonkers. Carsky passed away at the age of 74 last February, but her legacy lives on, in our parks and elsewhere throughout the county.

Members of the FWCP board were joined Sunday by local elected officials and dignitaries, and friends and family. They remembered all Carsky did to improve the quality of our parks, as a board member of FWCP and as a founder of the Bronx River Conservancy, a group dedicated to preserving the 12.5 miles along the river and parkway from the Bronx border to the Kensico Dam.

Carsky served as a Westchester County Legislator for 18 years, and she held other elective and appointive positions. She also served on the boards of the Westchester Community College Foundation, the Westchester Land Trust and Arts Westchester, and was a member of County Executive Rob Astorino’s transition team.

She used her leadership talents to help improve our community in myriad ways, and she was particularly concerned about the health of our parks. It was under her leadership that the Bronx River Conservancy was able to plan and implement clean-ups and take on other advocacy projects, and she spearheaded the county’s acquisition of the property that is now the site of Malcolm Wilson Park.

As we remember all Kay Carsky did to improve the quality of our parks, we should all take a moment to think about whether we are building a legacy of our own. Are we helping to leave the world a better place than we found it?

Friends of Westchester County Parks is a better organization because of the contributions made by Kay Carsky. There are many ways you can help pick up where she left off, not the least of which is becoming a “Friend” by making a tax-free donation to FWCP. There is still work to be done — in fact, to maintain the quality of our parks and the benefits our parks provide, the work will never be finished.

But with your help, we can insure that our parks will be better off when we leave than they were when we got here.

Friends has been busy gearing up for a pair of great activities we’re sponsoring in July –the annual Music Fest and Fireworks to be held on Sunday, July 3, and Screening Under the Stars on July 7. We look forward to these events each year, because they give us the opportunity to provide fun and relaxation for thousands of our residents, and it creates even more reasons for people to use and enjoy our parks.

The Music Fest has long been a favorite way for Westchester County residents to celebrate the July 4 festivities in a family-friendly environment. The event will be held at the Kensico Dam Plaza, with the park opening at 5:00pm for picnicking and music beginning at 6:00pm. Fireworks will light up the sky starting at 9:00pm. Joining Friends as a sponsor is Come Home – TheDailyWestchester.net and 100.7 WHUD radio.

Our July 7 Screening Under the Stars event will feature a free movie screening of “Shrek Forever After”, a movie suitable for family members and friends of all ages. The activities will begin at 6:00pm with a DJ and fun activities for kids, and the movie will begin at dusk on the Parks Department’s spectacular 65-foot, high definition screen. Our co-sponsors for this event are Westchester Magazine, 100.7 WHUD radio and Fun Time Amusements.

We are also very enthusiastic about an announcement Friends made on Tuesday June 28, at Tibbetts Brook Park in Yonkers. We have commissioned an Economic Impact Study which will outline the economic benefits generated by our county’s parks. As part of our mission to secure adequate funding for our award-winning parks system, Friends has retained Indianapolis-based PROS Consulting to determine the economic and fiscal impacts generated our diverse offerings of the parks operated by Westchester County.

The Economic Impact Study will be completed by November 15, and will provide us with valuable data that will be utilized as future budgets for our county’s parks system are determined.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to invite you to ‘like’ our Facebook page and to ‘follow’ us on Twitter. Friends is enthusiastic about building an even bigger community of people who share our goal of supporting, advocating and improving Westchester County Parks for future generations. Facebook and Twitter give us new opportunities to connect and engage with people who share our vision.

Thank you for your continued support of Friends. See you in the parks!