What Do You Want to See at Rye Town Park This Year?

The Rye Town Park Commission (RTPC) is holding its fourth “community conversations” meeting on Saturday, April 27th at 10:30 a.m.  The meeting will be held at the Damiano Recreation Center/Recreation Park, 281 Midland Avenue, Rye, NY 10580.  The event is being co-sponsored by the Friends of Rye Town Park and Rye City’s Rye Town Park Advisory Committee. 

The previous  “conversations” meetings each attracted about 150 people, representing a wide variety of interests and points-of-view concerning Rye Town Park. 

The purpose of the April 27th meeting, according to RTPC chair Joseph Carvin “is to provide the public and all stakeholders in the park an opportunity to share with RTPC members and co-sponsors their thoughts on the 2012 operations of the park and what additional changes if any the public would like to see implemented going forward in 2013.”

 Carvin noted that over the previous seasons the Park has implemented significant changes in the parking procedures, fiscal management and fee structures, in response to community concerns regarding safety and the environment.  The Park’s Capital Committee has recently presented a “Request For Proposal and Qualifications for the development and operation of Rye Town Park.”

The higher fees for non-residents were designed to help bring the park’s finances to a “break even” level. The beach access fee for permit holders was eliminated. In 2012 close attention was paid to keeping personnel costs to the minimum required for efficient operation. The installation of automatic vehicle counters helped insure accurate income records and staff management.

 Cultural highlights in 2012 included a series of 7 free evening concerts,  an outdoor movie, “Tango By The Beach” dancing on Thursdays, and an outdoor production of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing.” 

Formed in 1991, the Friends of Rye Town Park was particularly active over the past year, advocating for, and financially supporting, the maintenance and improvement of the park’s trees, gardens, seasonal plantings, and pond. 

 Rye City Mayor Doug French and the City Council created the Rye Town Park Advisory Committee in 2010 to review and improve park operations and programs. 

The Commission intends to use feedback from the meeting in helping it design a more focused strategic plan for the park going forward.   For further information call Rye Town Hall at 914 939-3075 ext 101. 

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