Urban Green Space Projects Underway Countywide

NEW CITY – Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Legislature Chairman Jay Hood Jr. announced 24 Urban Green Space projects underway countywide including parks, gardens, and playgrounds.

County Executive Ed Day said, “It is crucial to also invest in the mental and physical health of our residents by developing more urban green spaces which is why I am proud to let residents know thanks to our Urban Green Spaces Grant, we can look forward to a variety of new parks and playgrounds across the County at no cost to local taxpayers.”

The projects are all being funded through the County’s Rockland Resilient Recreation Grant Program, utilizing $10 million of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to award municipalities and non-profits between up to $200,000 for public urban green space investments.

County Legislature Chairman Jay Hood Jr. said, “The pandemic took an incredible toll on Rockland communities, and we promise to utilize every single dollar of American Rescue Plan Act funds to help this County fully recover. We applaud all the eligible entities which applied and are eager to start delivering grants for green spaces that support the wellbeing of our residents.”

The County is proud to share the first finished projects including Nyack’s Memorial Park which will now offer a newly paved ADA compliant walkway, a new entry gate for exclusive pedestrian accessibility, new playground equipment, and restoration of the great lawn.

Good Samaritan Hospital received funds to expand its Garden of Hope, adding more garden beds and benches, allowing more food to grow, and more space for patients, families, and residents to find solace within the garden.

Lastly, Haverstraw Bay Park, one of the County’s most widely used parks, received new surfacing around the playground for a safer experience for all.

“Green spaces are vital to our communities in Rockland. They provide mental and physical health, promote new educational and environmental opportunities, improve quality of life, and create a greater social connectivity for our residents,” said ARPA Director Jenna Nazario. “The various green spaces spanned throughout all of our Towns and Villages will bring together more families and residents, building back a better and stronger County.”

The following list of parks, gardens, and playgrounds were also awarded funding for much-needed improvements and expansions:
Airmont: Besen Park, Lorna Park
Clarkstown: Nyack Community Center Garden (new)
Haverstraw: Community Center Basketball Court, Jefferson Park International Garden
Kaser: Maple Ave Park (new)
Montebello: Village Hall Grounds
Monsey: Lake Suzanne
New Square: Roosevelt Ave Pocket Park (new)
Orangetown: Elizabeth Place Park, Franklin Street
Piermont: Piermont Community Center, Half Moon Park
Pomona: Burgess Merideth, Secor Park
Spring Valley: Spring Valley Memorial Park
Stony Point: Pickleball Courts (Town Park) (new)
West Haverstraw: Peck’s Pond, Viohl Park
Ramapo: Children’s Park, Sandy Brook

The County anticipates many of these projects will be complete and ready to enjoy by late Spring.