Residents: Yorktown parks are unusable and dangerous

Yorktown residents say some of their parks are unusable and even dangerous.

News 12 Staff

Jun 5, 2019, 12:40 AM

Updated 1,787 days ago

Share:

Yorktown residents say some of their parks are unusable and even dangerous.
Matt Slater, who is challenging Ilan Gilbert for town supervisor of Yorktown, says this has been a problem at many of the town's 31 parks for over a year.
At Blackberry Woods Park on Marcy Street in Mohegan Lake, people have to weave through overgrown trees and grass to reach part of the park, which leads to a tennis court.
"I've talked to the homeowners on the other side of the street, no one uses this," says Slater. "There's been reports of coyotes and of course we have to worry about ticks."
One slide is warped, equipment is rusted and benches are covered with overgrown weeds.
At Shrub Oak Park on Sunnyside Street in Shrub Oak, cinder blocks and gravel fill what are supposed to be tennis courts.
On Facebook, one woman said the grass at Blackberry Woods once reached 3-to-4 feet. Another said her kids came home covered in ticks after playing in another park.
Slater says this is because Gilbert hasn't sent crews to maintain the parks. However, Gilbert told News 12 over the phone the large amount of rainfall this year set them back.
"We've completed work on a number of our facilities to date and now that seasonal workers have reported for duty, we will accelerate that rate of preparing our facilities used by our residents," Gilbert said.
News 12 is told many of the concerns residents have will be addressed as early as this week.


More from News 12
Kingston man charged in barber shop stabbing

Kingston man charged in barber shop stabbing

2:21
Chilly temps in the Hudson Valley will warm up as afternoon sunshine rolls in

Chilly temps in the Hudson Valley will warm up as afternoon sunshine rolls in

2:04
Movie theater experience: A close look at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville

Movie theater experience: A close look at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville

0:31
Police: 18-year-old Washingtonville man with autism has gone missing

Police: 18-year-old Washingtonville man with autism has gone missing

0:23
New Korean-style fried chicken restaurant opens in Mahopac

New Korean-style fried chicken restaurant opens in Mahopac

2:16
New Rochelle teacher receives birthday surprise from students, colleagues

New Rochelle teacher receives birthday surprise from students, colleagues

1:23
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally in Irvington during President Biden's visits to Westchester

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally in Irvington during President Biden's visits to Westchester

0:26
Hudson Valley communities receive bronze Climate Smart Certification

Hudson Valley communities receive bronze Climate Smart Certification

0:23
Rockland County sues New York state over when elections can be held

Rockland County sues New York state over when elections can be held

0:21
Greenwood Lake Board of Trustees appoints interim mayor

Greenwood Lake Board of Trustees appoints interim mayor

0:23
Police: 18-year-old facing charges in Walden shooting

Police: 18-year-old facing charges in Walden shooting

0:48
President Biden announces future opening of upstate microchip factory

President Biden announces future opening of upstate microchip factory

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:21
Rockland County DA: Haverstraw man pleads guilty in sexual abuse of 2 children

Rockland County DA: Haverstraw man pleads guilty in sexual abuse of 2 children

0:51
Indian Point oversight board, Holtec discuss decommissioning options of former nuclear plant

Indian Point oversight board, Holtec discuss decommissioning options of former nuclear plant

0:47
State police: DNA sample from human remains found does not match profile of missing Putnam teen

State police: DNA sample from human remains found does not match profile of missing Putnam teen

0:31
New mural of Yonkers hip-hop legend Mary J. Blige unveiled at Palisade Towers

New mural of Yonkers hip-hop legend Mary J. Blige unveiled at Palisade Towers

0:35
Police find evidence in burglary while investigating a domestic dispute in Monroe

Police find evidence in burglary while investigating a domestic dispute in Monroe

0:30
Wake services held for the Westchester correction officer who died in Bronx River Parkway crash

Wake services held for the Westchester correction officer who died in Bronx River Parkway crash

Motorists encounter traffic delays, road closures in and around Irvington during President Joe Biden's visit

Motorists encounter traffic delays, road closures in and around Irvington during President Joe Biden's visit