by Noam Bramson | Jul 14, 2022
New Rochelle is launching a comprehensive initiative to promote environmentally-friendly (and quiet) landscaping practices. Partnering with Sustainable Westchester, the American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA), and Quiet Communities Inc. (QCi), and utilizing a $210,000 State grant, the City will begin transitioning to electric equipment for parks maintenance, while encouraging a similar transition among commercial landscapers through education, training, certification, and equipment rebates. This multi-layered strategy is more likely to be successful than a purely regulatory approach, which would face serious enforcement challenges. I am proud that New Rochelle is leading by example. More in this press release.
by Noam Bramson | Jul 13, 2022
Ward Acres is New Rochelle’s largest park and among the most beautiful settings in our community. To help preserve and enhance Ward Acres’ ecological health and ensure that it can be enjoyed by residents for many years to come, the City has produced a detailed master plan, analyzing the park’s needs and establishing priorities for multi-year investments. See this week’s presentation of the plan to the City Council here. And thank you to the many stakeholders who contributed to this important document.
by Noam Bramson | Jun 30, 2022
Very pleased to celebrate the reopening of the Pinebrook Tennis Center, following a significant and much-needed restoration. A great example of New Rochelle’s commitment to investing in our future and ensuring that residents have access to high-quality recreational facilities for decades to come. More in this press release.
by Noam Bramson | May 17, 2022
This week, we celebrated a groundbreaking for the adaptive reuse of Wildcliff, the historic waterfront property that was nearly destroyed by fire in 2018, and for the construction of a new community greenhouse at Hudson Park This press release contains all the details.
Wildcliff’s adaptive reuse will salvage the structure’s iconic stone gables, add modern amenities, and create a new open-air event pavilion. Joining Wildcliff on the site will be the Hudson Park Children’s Greenhouse, with activities and programming for the entire New Rochelle community.
I am grateful to the Wildcliff Advisory Committee, chaired by Council Member Albert Tarantino, and to the Hudson Park Children’s Greenhouse Committee, spearheaded by Millie Radonjic-Ilich, who brought together under her dynamic leadership a remarkable cross-section of community activists and volunteers in support of this great initiative.
by Noam Bramson | May 11, 2022
Last night, the City Council received a significant update on the LINC project, which aims to transform much of Memorial Highway into a linear park. Following months of study, our planners and traffic analysts now recommend an improved design, which provides for two-way traffic through most of the project area, the grounding of the overpass at North Avenue, and a better connection to Exit 16 of the New England Thruway. The updated plans also integrates green space adjacent to Memorial Highway into the overall park configuration, a big expansion. There’s more detail in this presentation.
Public input will remain paramount as we progress to final design and programming, and as the last slide of the deck illustrates, there is still much work ahead, with construction not expected to commence until 2025. But, make no mistake, this project will happen. New Rochelle has already won highly-competitive federal and state grants totaling about $20 million to implement the LINC, and I could not be more excited about this transformative vision for enhancing our community and improving the lives of tens of thousands of residents.
by Noam Bramson | May 3, 2022
Big thanks to the 250 volunteers who turned out for our parks clean-up on April 23 and 24, and thanks also to the New Rochelle Parks & Rec Department and our partners at Volunteer New York for coordinating activities throughout the weekend. This flyer summarizes how much was accomplished. There are lots of other ways to make a difference in our community — learn more at volunteernewyork.com/newrochelle or call 914-948-4452.
