Mayer, Otis Secure $325,000 for Crawford Park

(Rye Brook, NY) – New York State Senator Shelley B. Mayer and Assemblyman Steve Otis today announced $325,000 in state funding has been awarded to the Town of Rye to make improvements to the ball field and walking trail at Crawford Park, located between North Ridge Street and Lincoln Avenue in Rye Brook. 

Senator Shelley B. Mayer said: “Outdoor recreation has fantastic benefits on both our mental and physical health. 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. Thank you to Town Supervisor Gary Zuckerman and the Town of Rye for your continued commitment to making Crawford Park a hub for all residents and surrounding community members to enjoy.”

Assemblyman Steve Otis said: “Step by step, project by project – the Town of Rye has burnished and enhanced Crawford Park to a place never before matched. Today we celebrate two important recreational improvements, the trailway and the ball field. These projects reflect just some of the many ways Town of Rye residents have been drawn to Crawford Park. Add to the list: the Mansion, the gardens, accessibility improvements for disabled individuals, all electric maintenance equipment and the outdoor event areas. Congratulations to the Town of Rye, the Town Board, the Friends of Crawford Park and Supervisor Gary Zuckerman for having the vision to make the park the exceptional destination it has become. I am very pleased to help with state grants for these recreation projects, as well as past support for other Town of Rye grants.”  

Rye Town Supervisor Gary Zuckerman said: “The reconstruction of the one-mile walking/jogging path that circles Crawford Park and the rehabilitation of the soccer-football-baseball fields marks another step in the rejuvenation of our beloved Park. 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. We are extremely grateful to Senator Shelley Mayer and Assemblyman Steve Otis for their assistance in securing State SAM grants in the total amount of $325,000 to aid in the financing of these necessary improvements which will benefit the residents of the Town of Rye and all visitors.”

Senator Mayer secured $200,000 through the State and Municipal Facilities Program (SAM) for the ball field, which is used for football, baseball, softball, volleyball and soccer. This project includes adding ADA compliant bleachers, sport benches, a chain link backstop, and a water bottle filling station to the field. The goal of this project is to improve youth access to healthy outdoor recreation. 

Assemblyman Otis secured $125,000 through the State and Municipal Facilities Program (SAM) for the town’s efforts to reconstruct the one-mile trail that circumnavigates Crawford Park. The goal of this project is to increase accessibility to this feature of the park and to address safety concerns because of severe deterioration of the rail over the years.  

Rye Brook Youth Soccer Club President Tony Paterno said: “Rye Brook Youth Soccer has enjoyed a relationship with Crawford Park for about 20 years so that we can run the Village soccer program that accommodates 450 kids, grades K-12. It was a pleasure to be included by the Town of Rye in the NYU Urban Planning Capstone project this past Spring that gave us an opportunity to contribute to the community vision that is laying the groundwork for the next 20 years at Crawford Park.”

Friends of Crawford Park President Laura Klein said: “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.”