Three Turf Fields At Mamk Schools Will Preserve Kemper Park

Richard Cantor Still Pursuing Legal Restraints to Future Park Changes

by Joan R. Simon

(November 16, 2006) With caveats regarding feasibility, state approval and cost, the Mamaroneck School District rolled out a bold new plan for solving their field problem by installing artificial turf and lighting at existing fields. (See: More & Better Fields Urged at Mamk School & Village Boards.) “We’ve been taking a very hard look at the field situation,” said Board President Cecilia Absher at the November 14th School Board meeting, “one that would allow us to preserve the Kemper Park.”

After years of litigation, the district won the legal right to move the park to make way for a soccer field, but their new plan leaves the park in place. (See: Court of Appeals Backs School Board on Kemper Park.) Nevertheless, Richard Cantor, who for six years has opposed any changes to Kemper Park, is continuing to seek ways to insure the property can never be used for anything other than a World War II memorial.

On another Kemper-related topic, Superintendent Paul Fried apologized to the Kemper Preservation Fund for a miscommunication that led to cancellation of a Veterans’ Day Ceremony at the park.

Silver Bullets: Turf & Lighting

The answer to the seemingly intractable field problem boils down to two silver bullets: artificial turf and lighting. “We will be utilizing some technology that was perhaps not nearly as effective several years ago as it is today,” explained Superintendent Paul Fried, referring to artificial turf, which not long ago was deemed harmful to young athletes because of its lack of resilience. “It is now considered very safe, it is well-tested and it is durable, and it can provide us with extended possibilities to use the fields.”

Director of Athletics Bari Suman outlined the district’s proposal to turf three fields: Memorial (football), Manchester (baseball) and one at Central School. Lights would be added to the two high school fields. In addition to creating a “showcase field” in the football area, the visitors’ bleachers would be removed, opening up an extra practice section. There would then be room to run three simultaneous practices.

Placing the "home" and "guest" bleachers on the same side of Memoria football field (at right) could make room for an additional practice field. Moving the track from the baseball to the football field, might allow for 2 varsity-sized turf fields to fit into Manchester Field (at left).

The baseball field would be converted to a multi-purpose turf field appropriate for most field sports in addition to the baseball program. A removable pitcher’s mound is a possibility. At Central School, the current grass field surrounded by a fence would become a multipurpose turf field. While not varsity-sized, it could accommodate modified field sports and youth teams.

Adding artificial turf at Central School's field would allow many more games and practices to take place, regardless of weather conditions.

A more ambitious alternative calls for creating two varsity-sized multi-use fields in the baseball area by moving the track oval to the football field, where it would be upgraded to allow sectional-level competition. It is yet to be determined if there is adequate room to fit in two fields.

Ms. Suman explained that the district has 30 field teams, but only 10 of them regularly play and practice on school fields. All others have scheduled practices and games on community-owned fields. “We anticipate that placing turf and lights on our existing fields will gain unconditional and greater use of our facilities for both district athletes as well as the community leagues and programs,” she said. The newly refurbished fields could be used in all weather conditions, including rain. By adding lights, the games and practices could be “stacked” throughout the afternoon and evening, extending the usage many times over.

The new turf fields would also enable the district teams to reduce their use of municipal playing fields, thus freeing them for community teams to play on. Dr. Fried emphasized that the refurbished school fields would continue to be available to local teams when not in use by the school athletes, and he thanked the municipalities and community groups who worked with the schools to develop the plans.

The proposals will now be subject to a feasibility study and cost analysis. Dr. Fried cautioned that the district would need New York State Education Department (SED) approval, as well as an environmental impact review. The SED is “a hoop that we must go through that sometimes takes time,” he said.

Andy Greenberg, commissioner for Larchmont Girls Soccer, was one of several representatives of community sports programs to thank the board for their efforts. “I’m encouraged by the progress and I hope you will continue to press forward with the goal of having at least two turf fields in place by spring 2008,” he said. “Every single town we play in has a turf field and many have multiple ones,” he added, citing New Rochelle, White Plains, Scarsdale, Harrison, Ossining and Chappaqua.

Andy Greenberg, commissioner for Larchmont Girls Soccer, and his three children described problems they have had with the fields and thanked the board for its proposals.

Members of the Kemper family and others who oppose changes to the Kemper Memorial Park also thanked the school district for finding a solution that would keep the park intact. However, Richard Cantor, whose grandparents donated the park to the district, was not ready to lay down his sword. He is continuing to press the board for legal documentation that would forever prohibit changes to the park.

“Whether the divisiveness and litigation is ended is entirely up to you,” he said to the school board members. “The moment the legal protection intended in the deed is reestablished is the moment the battle comes to a close, not one minute before,” he stressed.

Mamaroneck Village Lawsuit over Kemper Park?

Pursing this end, Mr. Cantor had appeared before the Village of Mamaroneck Board the previous night to ask whether they were ready to proceed with retaining the law firm Reed, Smith on a pro bono basis to represent their interest with respect to the Kemper Memorial Park.

Although the board had voted 5 – 0 on September 11 to retain the law firm, pending in-house legal review, all the trustees except Bill Paonessa were reluctant to move ahead on Monday night. (See: Mamk Village Prepares to Sue School Board Over Kemper Park.) Trustee Tom Murphy expressed concern about possible financial risks to Mamaroneck Village, since Reed, Smith was unwilling to pick up any monetary penalties that might result from an adverse decision of a potential suit.

Trustee Joe Angilletta suggested waiting for the School Board’s field proposals that were about to be announced before making a decision. “It’s only 24 hours away,” he said. “We have a responsibility to look at what” they’re planning. “I’d like to have the opportunity to take them at their word,” he added.

Mr. Cantor argued that it was necessary to move forward immediately, regardless of the school’s plan, in order “to get the School Board to agree to settle this matter … in a legally enforceable way that will honor this deed.” He warned that “the Kemper Park will forever remain vulnerable to encroachment and destruction if you do not take action.”

Mayor Phil Trifiletti expressed frustration with the subject, saying, “This whole issue of the Kemper Park has taken up so much time … It’s really a lot.”

At the end of the discussion, Trustee Tony Vozza announced, “I have reconsidered my vote,” referring to the September decision. “At this point I would not be in favor of any further litigation.” Mr. Murphy responded, “I agree with Tony. I have always been in favor of keeping the Kemper Memorial where it is.  And I have a lot of faith that that will be the ultimate end result.” 

Veterans Day Cancellation

Also at the School Board meeting, Dr. Fried apologized to the Kemper Memorial Park Preservation Fund for miscommunication over use of the Kemper Park on Veterans’ Day. The group had intended to hold a ceremony at the Kemper Park, but problems concerning liability insurance forced them to cancel it.

Dr. Fried explained that usage of any school facility requires general liability insurance coverage of $1 million per event and $2 million in the aggregate, a standard amount for school districts in New York. There was confusion over the insurance amount required; the school forms mistakenly list the amount needed per event as $2 million, rather than $1 million.

“There have not been any changes in that policy,” Dr. Fried said, noting that the clerical error would be corrected immediately. “It was never our intent to stop the group from using the property,” he said, and stressed that the school was more than willing to provide chairs, loud speakers and bathroom access to any groups requesting use of the Park. He noted that the May 2006 Memorial Day event at Kemper Park was hosted by the American Legion, who provided the district with the required insurance coverage.

Jan Northrup, president of the Preservation Fund, said that while she regretted having to cancel the Veterans’ Day event this year, she was hopeful that “next year we can work together with the school district and conduct a ceremony during the regular school day.”

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