Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in White Plains public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
7 issues in parks rec
Recreation partnerships: Little League, Knicks, benches
The council approved the Little League's use of Gedney Field, joined the Junior New York Knicks program, and accepted donated wooden benches for the Delfino Park platform tennis courts.
Water Street Connector linear park (C5691)
The city is leasing an overgrown 56,000-square-foot Urban Renewal Agency right-of-way near Water Street for 50 years to turn it into a public park connecting Hillside Terrace and Ferris Avenue to downtown. It's funded with $2.25 million of the city's $10 million state Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant, with public design sessions coming early next year.
Ebersol Rink capital improvements and sponsorship legislation
The city partnered with the New York Rangers on a youth hockey program at Ebersole Rink. Council Member Caruso called the rink an underappreciated gem that leverages outside funding well.
Smoking in White Plains parks
The city wants to update its smoke-free rules to explicitly cover marijuana and vaping, and to extend the ban to school district fields and playgrounds the city shares. The pitch is education first — ask people to move along, not write tickets. The council votes September 8.
Rusty cannon ahead of Battle of White Plains 250th anniversary
The Revolutionary War cannon along the Bronx River Parkway is rusted and in disrepair just weeks before the 250th anniversary of the Battle of White Plains on October 28. The cannon sits on county property, and the speaker asked officials to make a call to get it repainted.
White Plains Soccer Fest
The Council's budget tweak funded a second screen on Maple Avenue so Soccer Fest crowds spread out more evenly; the popular summer series continues with events July 9 and July 11.
Senior services funding
A funding mix-up was corrected and the city accepted an extra $20,297.78 from the county, restoring roughly $20,000 to the senior lunch program that serves about 125 meals a week.