Crawford Park In Rye Brook Receives $325K In Upgrades: NYS Legislature

PORT CHESTER, NY — State Sen. Shelley B. Mayer and Assemblyman Steve Otis announced Tuesday $325,000 in state funds was awarded to improve the trailway and ball field at Crawford Park in Rye Brook.

The other upgrades at the park, which is located between North Ridge Street and Lincoln Avenue include enhancements to the Mansion, the gardens, accessibility improvements for disabled individuals, all electric maintenance equipment and the outdoor event areas, which was provided by previous funding, according to a spokeswoman for Otis' Office.

“Step by step, project by project – the Town of Rye has burnished and enhanced Crawford Park to a place never before matched,” Otis said in a statement.

Otis also thanked Rye Town Supervisor Gary Zuckerman for having the vision to make the greenspace an exceptional destination.

Zuckerman said that the reconstruction of the one-mile path that circles the park and the rehabilitation of the soccer, football and baseball fields mark another step in the rejuvenation of Crawford.

“Previously, we totally renovated Crawford Mansion into a true community center, constructed a fully accessible universal playground and added an accessible gender-neutral family bathroom and a kitchenette to the pavilion,” Zuckerman said in a prepared statement. “We are extremely grateful … in the financing of these necessary improvements which will benefit the residents of the Town of Rye and all visitors.”

Mayer said outdoor recreation has fantastic benefits on both people’s mental and physical health and thanked Zuckerman for making the park a hub for community members.

“I was pleased to secure state funding to improve the ball field where children will develop a love for sports and learn the value of teamwork for many years to come,” Mayer added in a statement.

Mayer secured $200,000 through the State and Municipal Facilities Program for the ball field, which also included space for sports like softball and volleyball, according to the state Legislature. Funds also went toward the ADA compliant bleachers, sport benches, a chain link backstop, and a water bottle filling station to the field.

Otis secured $125,000 in SAM funds for the trailway that circumnavigates the park, which has been severely deteriorating for years, the state Legislature said.

Tony Paterno, president of the Rye Brook Youth Soccer Club, said the village’s soccer program at the park accommodates 450 kids from kindergarten through high school.

“Rye Brook Youth Soccer has enjoyed a relationship with Crawford Park for about 20 years,” Paterno said via a statement. He hopes the project lays the groundwork for the park’s next 20 years.

Laura Klein, president of Friends of Crawford Park, was enthusiastic about the project.

“The Friends of Crawford Park are very happy with the town’s decision to renovate the 20 year old walking path. It’s a wonderful feature of the park. The community loves it and it is worth maintaining, Klein added in a statement.