On a rainy Tuesday, Mayor Mike Spano, city council members, and members of the Parks Department broke ground on planned renovations to Trevor Park in downtown Yonkers. There is a wide-ranging list of improvements slated for the park. However, today’s announcement was only for the first phase of construction. This initial work includes new basketball and tennis courts as well as resurfacing of the playground. The estimated cost is $1.1 million. After the first phase, various other improvements are still scheduled. These improvements include a full renovation of the restrooms and parking as well as brand new fitness equipment.
“We are starting with the most important part of the park […] it’s really a great thing to see.”
Shanae Williams – Council Member from the first district
These comprehensive park renovations come after the recent lease of the neighboring JFK Marina. In February of 2022, the Yonkers Planning Board authorized control of the marina to the Lela Goren Group. This developer also manages the adjacent power plant restoration. The decision by the city to cede control of this park space was met with resistance from groups like The Yonkers on Hudson Alliance. The president of this group, Barbara Smith, made her group’s view clear that, “the city needs to stop privileging private developers and start elevating the health and wellbeing of the people of Yonkers.”
Despite the pushback on the changes to the JFK Marina, the Trevor Park renovations have been met with less resistance. Nevertheless, this investment in the park is indicative of the priority the city has in its continued reimagining of the Hudson River waterfront section of downtown. What still remains is if these dreams become reality or if Yonkers is ultimately left with stunted projects as the city is now facing in the Ludlow development.
The first phase of the park’s renovation that was announced today is scheduled to be completed in the summer of this year.
