by Noam Bramson | Mar 23, 2012
Since its founding in 2009, the Ward Acres Community Garden has transformed a previously underutilized portion of the park into a lively and beautiful showcase for local agriculture. The Community Garden’s success is a real tribute to the sweat equity and dedication of local volunteer gardeners.
Last year, garden organizers announced a plan to add an ambitious public art installation to the grounds, taking advantage of New Rochelle’s growing arts community. Called “The Meeting Place,” the project consists of a series of benches, fountains, and stools, all designed to complement a natural setting. It is scheduled to be unveiled this fall and is sponsored by the New Rochelle Council on the Arts and the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle.
To support this wonderful community project, please consider attending a breakfast fundraiser and art exhibition on March 31 at AJ’s Burgers on North Avenue. Tickets are $20 per person. More information is available here and at at the Ward Acres Community Garden website.
by Noam Bramson | Jul 20, 2011
The Remington Unit of the Boys and Girls Club is a well-used community center located just south of Lincoln Park. Every week, countless youngsters visit Remington for sports, play, and enriching activities of many kinds. Remington also serves as a venue for occasional civic events and volunteer projects. Although owned by the City, it is managed and operated by the Boys and Girls Club of New Rochelle, a private not-for-profit organization.
This week the leadership of the Boys and Girls Club presented to the Council an ambitious plan to renovate the Remington Unit and greatly increase its value to the community.
Among other things, the plan envisions: the creation of a Kids’ Cafe, which will provide nutritious food and instruction in culinary arts; renovation of the entry from the Prince Street parking area, which is technically the “back-door” but functionally serves as the front; comprehensive energy improvements to promote efficiency; and a general upgrade of the interior spaces.
The project will be phased, so that most of the building will remain usable during construction of any single portion. If construction bids exceed expectations, later phases can be indefinitely deferred until funding becomes available.
Speaking of funding, the project will be paid for by reserves set aside when the Boys and Girls Club sold their South Side unit to the YMCA, supplemented by private fund-raising and donated materials. No tax dollars are expected to be utilized.
For the kids who use the Remington Unit today, for their parents, and for all those who have fond memories of their own childhood, this project is a welcome step forward.
by Noam Bramson | Apr 13, 2011
The Remington Flyers Track Team of the New Rochelle Boys’ and Girls’ Club is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a long relay run “from the White House to Our House.” Starting this Friday, the team, made up of 35 youngsters ages seven to twelve, will run the 243 miles from Washington, D.C. in 2- to 3-mile shifts up Route 1 to New Rochelle. They expect to finish the run at 1:30 pm on April 18 at City Hall, and I hope to meet them there … I’ll be the one looking very well rested.
The Remington chapter of the Boys’ and Girls’ Club is a valuable community resource and City partner. And the Flyers have been a big part of that contribution to New Rochelle, helping to raise money every year for important community services. This year’s long relay is in support of the Sound Shore Medical Center.
Online donations are accepted at the Boys’ and Girls’ Club website. Be sure to note “Remington Flyers” if you choose to make a donation.
