STATEMENT: 9/15/27 — Dog Park, Art Gardens, and Expanding Access to Greenspace

The city has begun the work of clearing overgrown greenspace in preparation for the dog park and art garden. On July 19, 2017, Mayor Thomas held a Town Hall forum at Our Lady of Victory where he presented the concept of a dog park, art gardens, and partnering with the school district on capital planning. Please click here to see the video.

For decades, Mount Vernon has suffered from lack of transparency, community engagement and Mayor Thomas is reversing that course by involving the public in all government matters.

In May and November 2016, Mayor Thomas delivered a “Cable Contract” to the City Council and Comptroller which would make access to public meetings possible on mobile phones, television, and the internet; however, the contract is dying a slow death on the Council and Comptroller’s desk. Meanwhile our residents suffer higher cable prices and confusion over city business. It would have been beneficial to the public if the Cable Contract were ratified last year because it would permit stronger communication capabilities with Mount Vernon’s residents as well as compliance with Open Meetings Laws.

Absent a Cable Contract and public access television, the Mayor will continue to hold town hall meetings and rely on social and traditional media to get the word out. Further, the city sends out surveys in the mail and electronically in order to actively solicit public opinion. For example, we heard from our residents that they objected to Mount Vernon’s Scout Field becoming a soccer field for Eastchester without our consent or knowledge. They also expressed concern that Westchester County and Eastchester continues to ignore Mount Vernon’s ownership of Scout Field. As such the City is prepared to take legal action to defend our land and ensure equitable treatment by our respective neighboring municipalities.

The city did not receive negative feedback related to the idea of a dog park previously; however, the administration will continue to receive and evaluate comments and calls into our office. The City has heard from the School District indicating concern over dogs on school grounds and asked the City to assist in finding proper facilities for dogs. The City has also heard from residents that they are concerned about off leash dogs in Hunts Woods impacting joggers, toddlers, and other homes adjacent to the woods.

In taking these concerns into account, the City surveyed multiple neighborhoods and concluded that the two locations adjacent to Hunts Woods could be appropriate for a dog park and an art garden with free public WIFI. The bottom line is the Mayor is open to all ideas to improve quality of life plans. For now, dedicated dog parks and art gardens with free public WIFI are preliminary answers to concerns of the School District and residents.

In terms of Council approval, The Bureau of Parks falls under the executive branch of government and, as such, the improvement and management of existing city greenspace is a Mayoral function (http://ecode360.com/13909554?highlight=parking,parks#13909554). We hope the City Council joins us in supporting the creation of a dog park and art gardens which is an amenity joined by numerous other communities in Westchester County, including Bronxville, Larchmont, Osssining, New Rochelle, White Plains, Pleansantville, and Peekskill.

Click here for an example of recent park-related survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSej8WwpA7ShU-Ue_Eb8I5oGPJJW5JbkcSs3IW7WqxXNg6NzSQ/viewform

The exact budget has yet to be finalized although it is not anticipated to be a major expenditure on the city’s part as the majority of the materials, fences, mulch, water fountains).