Town Hears from County on Legacy Support for Local Fields

by Harriet Kline

(November 16, 2006) Westchester County Legislator Judy Myers, a trustee in the Town of Mamaroneck from 1999 to 2005, appeared before her former colleagues on Wednesday, November 15 to discuss the County Legacy Program and its potential application to the community’s search for more sports fields.

Legacy Program

According to Legislator Myers, the Legacy program was begun by County Executive Andy Spano in 2001 to preserve existing open space and to help create sports facilities where needed. The new Rye skateboard park and the “Miracle” baseball field for handicapped children in Hartsdale are just two examples of this effort.

Ms Myers indicated that to prevent competition from adversely impacting applications from the three local municipalities, the parties had agreed to allow the Village of Larchmont to apply first for a legacy grant. A proposal from the Village of Mamaroneck for a field at Harbor Island will follow. The Village of Larchmont has already hired a consultant to prepare detailed cost estimates to develop an artificial turf field in Flint Park. (See: VOL Studies New Field in Flint Park, Announces $683K Grant.)

Ms Myers also explained that County funding for the fields usually involves a quid pro quo. The deals usually involve the localities accepting responsibility for roads or for developing affordable housing. If County roads are to be transferred, the County will grant $250,000 for every mile absorbed by the municipalities. How this will play out in the Village of Larchmont is still under negotiation.

Peter Neglia, administrator of the Legacy program, joined Ms Myers at the podium. He called the Flint Park field proposal a “perfect fit” for the program. He said that in evaluating grant proposals, the Legacy Committee will be looking for inter-municipal cooperation, the existence of County roadways that might be transferred to the municipality and opportunities for affordable housing.

In discussing the turf field, Mr. Neglia estimated that the turf carpet would cost approximately $700K to $800K. However, this figure does not include the cost of required drainage, fencing, bleachers and other aspects of developing the Flint Park field. Cost estimates being prepared by the Village of Larchmont consultant will tell the complete tale.

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