March was the wettest month on record in various parts of the northeast.
Larchmont residents bailing out basements or watching the parks turn into lakes on Tuesday, March 30 had their own historical references.
“We’ve lived across from the park [on Vanderburgh Avenue] for 20+ years. The first 10 or so it never flooded; each year since then it has gotten worse,” reported Emily Grotta. “Today is the worst we’ve ever seen it.” She sent along a photograph as evidence.
Turtle Park at Vanderburg Avenue in Larchmont was swamped by heavy rain on March 30. Photograph by Emily Grotta
Have your own rain photographs? Send them along to publisher@larchmontgazette.com
I saw your link from the ata forum. your site looks great.
Where is Turtle Park and are there any real turtles living there? I know an estate in Northern Westchester called “La Tortuga” (turtle en Francaise)but that’s a private residence. I am not familiar with a place called Turtle Park in Larchmont. Is it a new place here?
Turtle Park, AKA as Vanderburgh Park, is between Palmer Avenue and Vanderburgh Avenue in Larchmont.
Its name derives from the large turtle sculpture in the playground, which generations of children have used as a climbing toy.
Oh….is that big green turtle still there? I thought it was a park that was home to real turtles….
Now I know which park you are referring to but never knew it was called that name. Funny thing, when I was growing up there we’d go to Myrtle Park on Myrtle Avenue next to the train station.
Today’s residents have no idea what I am referring to and always say “do you mean Memorial Park”. Well, yes, that was also the name back then too, in my generation, but we never called it anything but Myrtle Park. I think it has a some sort of connection to WW II Vets hence the name Memorial Park. I seem to recall some type of war memorial and parades there on veterans day.
But I will always call it Myrtle park because I don’t believe in wars or war memorials for that matter.
Hey – I wonder if Myrtle and Turtle Park were designated their names at the same time? Sounds like a cute little nursery rhyme could be established from this…..any poets or writers in our midst???
Here’s a pay as you go idea:
I saw a turtle at the Myrtle park one day….but shouldn’t the turtle jump the hurdle and return to its own park or pay??!!
Teee – Heee…and they call it Mumbo Jumbo