Yonkers, N.Y. (April 30, 2008) -- In an effort to foster
environmental concern and awareness throughout Yonkers, city
officials and members of the city’s Green Policy Task Force
designated April 20 through the 27 as the first ever Green Week in
the City of Yonkers. With both Earth Day and Arbor Day celebrations
taking place nationwide, it was the perfect week to highlight
“green” initiatives and help raise environmental awareness
throughout the city.
The week was filled with special activities, events and an
assortment of informational films and lectures hosted by not only
city government, but also various schools, community based
organizations and other non-government agencies.
Here is a look at some of the activities that took place during
Green Week in Yonkers.
Earth Day
Students
from the Foxfire School helped kick off Green Week with a visit to
the Yonkers Recycling Center, located at 735 Saw Mill River Road.
The fifth grade students, who study recycling at their school,
learned firsthand about the city’s efforts to reduce, reuse and
recycle by touring the facility.
The eager students were more than willing to help keep Yonkers
beautiful by planting flowers outside of the facility. In addition,
they shared essays they wrote about the importance of preserving the
environment and as a special thank you also presented their very own
awards to the dedicated city employees who run the facility.
The Yonkers Recycling Center is one of the best facilities of its
kind in our area and was recently issued several recycling awards by
Westchester County for the greatest amount of paper, commingled,
electronic and yard waste recycled in 2007.
Arbor Day
Students from Public School 21 also participated in an exciting
learning experience during Green Week by recognizing national Arbor
Day with the help of some local senior citizens.
As
part of an annual event hosted by the city’s Department of Parks,
Recreation and Conservation, the students took part in a special
intergenerational tree planting activity outside of Coyne Park
Senior Center on McLean Avenue.
The third grade students and their senior companions learned how to
care for and preserve the environment by landscaping some of the
grounds outside of the center and by planting a tree together.
JFK Marina Boathouse
On
Tuesday, April 22 Mayor Phil Amicone joined City Council President
Chuck Lesnick, Councilwoman Patricia McDow and members of the
Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club at the John. F. Kennedy Marina to
christen a newly constructed boathouse. The boathouse is the latest
addition to the park which also features a new gazebo and concession
area.
The enhancements at JFK Marina are all part of Mayor Amicone’s
efforts to increase public access to the Yonkers waterfront and
foster more interest in water activities.
The marina, surrounded by nearly ten acres of open space along the
Yonkers waterfront, is the perfect spot to enjoy outdoor
recreational activities and with the opening of the JFK Marina
boathouse it’s also the ideal location for canoe and kayak
enthusiasts.
Operated by the Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club, the new boathouse
features storage for about 80 vessels as well as its very own space
for boat building and restoration. The club offers rental space at
the new marina boathouse for $200 a year.
Although the club manages the boathouse, its design and construction
was implemented by the city’s Office of Waterfront Development who
secured grant funding from the New York State Office of Parks,
Recreation and Historic Preservation to move the project forward. In
exchange for use of the facility, the club will provide free rowing
lessons to the public. The lessons will begin in mid-June.
For more information about the rowing club, visit the group’s
website at
www.YPRC.org or contact the boathouse captain at 914-325-5848.
