Storm Damage at Crawford and Rye Town Parks Could Cost Town Of Rye $100,000

The havoc wreaked by the torrential rain and high gusts of wind from this weekend's storm is causing another headache for local officials in the Town of Rye, who may have to spend close to $100,000 to repair the damage at Crawford Park and Rye Town Park. 

Crawford sustained major damage to about 26 trees, which were between 25 to 60 feet tall. The trees were uprooted because of softened ground from excess rain and high winds, according to a report by Bishop Nowotnik, assistant to Rye Town supervisor Joseph Carvin, and Parks Foreman Frank DeLeo.

Many of the trees fell and blocked the park's walking paths and roadways. Some weren't completely uprooted, but will need to be removed because they are leaning on other trees.

The park's mansion also suffered damage. It lost power during the weekend storm and town officials say unless power is restored soon, this weekend's scheduled events at the mansion will be cancelled.

The mansion's basement also filled with water because there was no source of power for its normal pump. However, the facility's staff brought in a power generator to keep the pump operating until power is restored.

Trees also fell on the park's garage area, destroying its protective fencing. Crawford Park will remain closed until further notice.

At Rye Town Park, the damage was not as extensive.

The park lost no trees during the storm, but two trees lost several branches. 

None of the park's buildings suffered extensive damage, but the bathroom area had significant water damage because its roof was not properly repaired after a storm several years ago, Notownik and DeLeo said in the report.

However, the beach was severely affected by the storm. Its configuration has been significantly altered, because of a loss of sand, extensive erosion  and the re-positioning of the beach's high tide line. 

"It's just a difficult landscape right now," Nowotnick said Thursday in reference to the beach.

He said the damage to both parks will likely consume a substantial portion of the town's $100,000 contingency fund, which is reserved for emergencies.

The town has hired Deneen Tree Service and Zicca Landscaping to assist with clean-up efforts at Crawford. However, damage estimates could total anywhere from $25,000 to $40,000. Replacing all of the park's damaged tress could add an additional $30,000 to the town's costs.

Damage estimates at Rye Town Park are between $35,000 and $60,000. A significant part of that estimate is $50,000 the town could spend to re-grade the beach and replace sand eroded by the storm.