Narrative:

Due to the large amount of parkland under PRC’s jurisdiction, cooperation and coordination on planning efforts with federal, state and regional agencies and organizations are vitally important.

PRC staff interact with officials and staff from these agencies on various park development and conservation initiatives on its 18,000 acres as well as preserve and protect important open spaces.

Federal

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

PRC works closely with FEMA to utilize disaster relief funds to repair and restore damaged park facilities. The Westchester County Disaster Recovery Guidelines (WCEM) provide direction for disaster relief which occurs through the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. Some examples include the boardwalk replacement at Playland Amusement Park and the Glen Island seawall reconstruction after Superstorm Sandy.  

Army Corp of Engineers (Army Corp)

In addition to regularly working with the Army Corp’s permitting staff to protect wetlands, streams and other aquatic areas for projects, PRC partners with the Army Corp on several projects including the Bronx River Ecosystem Restoration Plan.

State

Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP)

PRC utilizes NYS funding to acquire vacant property for parks and open spaces such as Habirshaw Park in Yonkers. This funding was also used to aid in the restoration of the historic Carousel ride at Playland Amusement Park. PRC staff consult during project design and development to ensure the preservation of its important historic and archaeological resources.

Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)

PRC staff meet with DEC technical staff early in the planning stages of a project to avoid and/or mitigate any potential environmental impacts. This has resulted in environmentally sensitive solutions where new park facilities are being contemplated such as installing bio-engineered streambank stabilization measures where new pathways are being constructed adjacent to streams watercourses. 

Department of Transportation (DOT)

PRC has partnered with DOT on several park planning projects including the acquisition and development of the North and South County Trailway on the former Putnam Right-of Way and the construction of the Playland Parkway Pathway in Rye, New York. The North and South County Trailway has been designated an Empire State trailway which at 750 miles, is the longest multi-use trail in the country running from NYC to the Canadian border.

Other Regional Agencies and Organizations

Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

PRC’s use of DEP land at various parks such as Muscoot Farm expands on recreation facilities PRC has to offer.

Metro North Railroad (MNR)

The close proximity of MNR commuter facilities to PRC along the Hudson and Bronx Rivers create unique opportunities for regional cooperation. PRC and Planning Department staff work closely with MNR personnel on the creation of trailways along the Hudson River in the Villages of Tarrytown, Croton-on-Hudson and other river communities as part of Westchester County’s RiverWalk initiatives.

Other Public/Private Partnerships

PRC works with various other public, quasi-public and private agencies and organizations to advance recreation opportunities including cooperatively working with the National Trust for Historic Preservation (Lyndhurst Estate) and Kraft Foods Corporation on the Tarrytown RiverWalk Initiative. Additionally, the Jay Heritage Center (JHC) operates and restores the Jay Property on behalf of PRC and NYS OPRHP through a three party cooperation and maintenance agreement.