| This property has been submitted for
consideration in the County's Open Space Plan. It is considered by the proposer to
meet the checked off open space criteria. Select the Add Comments or View
Comments button. |
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| Municipality: | Mount Vernon |
| Location: | Sandford Boulevard |
| Size: | 23 Acres |
Open Space Criteria:
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Provides a physical buffer and visual relief to developed areas |
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Preserves unique physical/environmental characteristics |
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Protects unique scenic views of countryside and/or waterfront |
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Suitable for active recreation |
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Suitable for passive recreation |
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Connects village, town and city centers or other population centers |
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Connects major employment centers, e.g. office parks, institutions, etc. |
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Connects major open space areas, e.g. parks, preserves and trailways |
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Provides access to Hudson River, Long Island Sound or other major waterbody |
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Helps clean-up deteriorated areas |
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Protects unique waterfront recreational or environmental resourcest |
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Contributes to economic revitalization of area |
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Protects and/or enhances water supply and water quality |
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Protects significant streams, wetlands, vegetation or other fragile resources |
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Helps restore natural resources that have been altered or damaged |
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Protects and/or enhances significant fish/wildlife habitats |
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Protects sites listed on New York State or National Register of Historic Places |
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Protects a unique and valuable regional historic or cultural resource |
| Comment: | While I was researching the Hutchinson River's history and shipping activity, I came across this site and found a grossly inaccurate point on a posting dated 6/11/01 10:40 am. The author of this statement pointed out that there was "the cessation of oil barge traffic in the old canal area." That is patently false and very misleading. Three oil companies (West Vernon Terminals, Getty, and Sprague Energy) import their cargo by barge. Other industries use the Hutchinson River for transport. They include asphalt, concrete, and ferrous scrap metal corporations that are mostly concentrated above the I-95/New England Thruway bridge in Pelham, Mount Vernon, and a small sliver of the Bronx (NYC). According to the latest edition (2001) of the US Army Corps of Engineers publication Waterborne Commerce of the USA, the Hutchinson River (called Eastchester Creek in that document)handled 952,000 short tons of cargo. Does this sound like a cessation of traffic? |
| Date: | 8/23/2003 9:04:00 AM |
| Comment: | When traffic is a nightmare, people are injured in traffic accidents, let's all remember who refused to stand up and fight this and instead deferred to the Westchester Political machine to avoid political fallout. http://www.pelhamforum.com/traffic_study_on_sandford_projec.htm |
| Date: | 6/15/2003 10:38:00 AM |
| Comment: | When traffic is a nightmare, people are injured in traffic accidents, let's all remember who refused to stand up and fight this and instead deferred to the Westchester Political machine to avoid political fallout. http://www.pelhamforum.com/traffic_study_on_sandford_projec.htm |
| Date: | 6/15/2003 10:33:00 AM |
| Comment: | CONGRATULATIONS TO EXECUTIVE SPANO FOR TOTALLY IGNORING OUR LONG LIST OF COMMENTS! HOORAY FOR HIS CRAVEN, SELF-CENTERED, STUPID SUPPORT FOR THIS MAJOR PROJECT AND THE RUIN OF THE HUTCH AS A PARKWAY! LET'S REMEMBER THIS IDIOT COME NEXT ELECTION, SHALL WE? |
| Date: | 5/1/2003 10:29:00 AM |
| Comment: | Cessation of oil barge traffic? According to the US Army Corps of Engineers Port Series and Waterborne Commerce of the USA publications, the Hutchinson River still has wharves for cement and asphalt factories, scrap yards, and oil storage facilities (Getty, West Vernon Terminals, and Amoco). The Hutchinson River (aka Eastchester Creek) handled over one million tons of cargo in the year 2000. Whenever I have passed over the I-95 bridge, I can see barges berthed at the Pascap scrap yard, laden with cargo. The upper navigable/tidal portion of the Hutchinson River could always use parkland and other related recreational facilities. |
| Date: | 2/25/2003 10:40:00 PM |
| Comment: | The Sandford Boulevard development (the "Project") needs to be stopped. Here's why: 1. The Project will threaten the welfare and lives of Pelham kids who attend the nearby High School and Middle School (1/4 mile away), visit the Town Library (1/10 mile away), and use the school’s playing fields located at Ground-Zero next to the project site. 2. The Project will threaten the welfare and lives of Mt. Vernon children, adults and others who use Mt. Vernon ’s Memorial Stadium, which is also located at Ground-Zero directly across the street from the project. 3. The Project will jeopardize all of Westchester by creating substantial new traffic congestion - all day long - on the Hutchinson River Parkway . 4. The Project will damage the environment; i.e., by further polluting the already endangered Hutchinson River , which empties into Long Island Sound. 5. The Project will blight the landscape along the Hutch - for the first time in Westchester , the bright lights of big-box sprawl will blemish the graceful Hutchinson Parkway . 5. The Project will engulf our residential streets with vehicles seeking to reach the project site, since the Hutchinson River Parkway (failed parkway) will not be able to accommodate the added volume. Local pressure forced Target (the Project's anchor store)to back away from its planned Central Avenue store in Yonkers and many believe that it can work here too. Target CEO Contact Information: Robert J. Ulrich, CEO TARGET Corporation 1000 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis , MN 55403 Phone: (612) 696-6164 Fax:(612) 696-5226 |
| Date: | 11/16/2002 11:17:00 AM |
| Comment: | The County should really consider doing something with Memorial Field. There is no other facility like this in Lower Westchester, better yet Westchester County as a whole. This is a major income producing facility if given the opportunity to shine. But I also understand the politics that are involved when it comes to doing anything worth while in Mount Vernon. WESTCHESTER COUNTY COME THROUGH AND RESCUE MEMORIAL FIELD RIGHT NOW!!!!!! Please the City of Mount Vernon can't afford it. |
| Date: | 10/22/2002 11:14:00 AM |
| Comment: | Preserving the open space around the Sandford Boulevard area carries unique and valuable enironmental and historical benefits, many of which are outlined in prior comments. The positive impact from such a move also extends far beyond the immediate area. As the Hutch River feeds the Sound, easing the environmental burden on the Hutch should be a priority of all New York residents. As the Hutchinson Parkway is a critical artery that will become further clogged if the Sandford Blvd. area is developed, preserving the open space has a positive impact on the quality of life of anyone using the Hutch. |
| Date: | 6/18/2001 9:55:00 AM |
| Comment: | Greenspace or insidious creeping urbanization? Which choice will benefit present and future residents of Pelham and Mount Vernon more? Open spaces are an irreplacable resource; I applaud our elected officials for recognizing and accepting their responsibility for safeguarding these areas. Lets put the park back in the parkway. |
| Date: | 6/14/2001 6:58:00 PM |
| Comment: | COnverting this space to a green area would be precious gift to our children, ourselves and future West Chesterians. Suburban sprawl is a blight and the proposed development on this site will be horrifying for Pelham and of no real econonic value to Mount Vernon. It already borders on playing fields and making it a park would greatly enhance the area and prevent the kind of pernicious development that is now planned. |
| Date: | 6/13/2001 5:46:00 PM |
| Comment: | One of the complaints I hear over and over again since moving to this area of Westchester is that we do not have enough open green space. This spot of Sandford Blvd. would be the perfect place to add a park. We could protect the open green feel of the Hutchinson River Pkwy, something that I believe makes it a beatiful road and distinguishes it from the thruway and 95. That's why I choose to use the Hutch and Merritt Pkwys when going north rather than 95! The greenery makes the drive enjoyable rather than a stressful chore (which is how I feel when driving on 95). Preserving this area as open green space would also avoid environmental problems, especially those associated with water runoff, which would certainly be a problem is the land is developed. This part of Sandford Blvd. is home to two playing fields, Glover and Memorial Stadium. Wouldn't it be just wonderful for the families of both Mount Vernon and Pelham if this entire area could be considered "recreational" and we could all go to the fields to enjoy some organized sports, and then to a park to enjoy throwing around a frisbee or having a ball toss with mom and dad! There are so many reasons to keep this area as open space - I could ramble on forever! |
| Date: | 6/13/2001 10:54:00 AM |
| Comment: | This is a fabulous idea! Having a park in southern Westchester, joining Mount Vernon and Pelham and providing recreation and relaxation to all who visit is a far better use of this land along the Hutchinson River. A park would also save the residents of Mount Vernon and Pelham from the air pollution and saftey hazards that the addional five million cars per year would bring to this area if the proposed big box development on this land takes place. |
| Date: | 6/12/2001 6:32:00 PM |
| Comment: | This is a fabulous idea! Having a park in southern Westchester, joining Mount Vernon and Pelham and providing recreation and relaxation to all who visit is a far better use of this land along the Hutchinson River. A park would also save the residents of Mount Vernon and Pelham from the air pollution and saftey hazards that the addional five million cars per year would bring to this area if the proposed big box development on this land takes place. |
| Date: | 6/12/2001 6:31:00 PM |
| Comment: | This is an awesome idea. Lower Westchester is certainly in need of public park areas. A wonderful way for the two communities of Pelham and Mount Vernon to share in something valuabe and enjoyable. |
| Date: | 6/12/2001 5:17:00 PM |
| Comment: | Absolutely this property should be converted to parkland. Let's clean-up this stretch of the blighted Hutchinson River. It would be an enhancement to both Mount Vernon and Pelham and save us from unwanted traffic and pollution. |
| Date: | 6/12/2001 5:03:00 PM |
| Comment: | Given the County's ownership of Memorial Stadium, this property would be better developed as a recreational resource - desperately needed in Mount Vernon. The proposed shoppping development could go in along 22 where numerous vacant and "less than optimal" properties (scrap metal yards) could be developed as a retail center with better access near 95 (off Connor). |
| Date: | 6/12/2001 4:50:00 PM |
| Comment: | A fine opportunity to preserve open space in the Southern part of the county, protect the park-like character of the Hutchinson PARKway, create a green buffer along the Hutch River and prevent more automobile-oriented urban sprawl. Great idea. |
| Date: | 6/12/2001 1:06:00 PM |
| Comment: | Open space / green space is a resource that is easier to maintain and enhance than to recover. This fact makes the decision an easy one. Preserve open space. |
| Date: | 6/12/2001 11:48:00 AM |
| Comment: | For a single piece of property of any size to have both significant historic and ecological value is unprecedented. What better use could there be for this area than to create a green space, infused with both history and beauty. |
| Date: | 6/12/2001 8:44:00 AM |
| Comment: | As a lifelong Pelham resident who spent many happy childhood hours at the playing fields once called "Parkway Field," I can only wish the same for today's and tomorrow's children. What a lovely dream for Pelham and Mt Vernon, to have the Sanford Blvd. area made into an open, green space, with grass and trees and benches...an oasis in an ever more urbanized area. But let's not stop there. Rather than blast out a nice rocky, wooded section in our own playing field area to create yet another place to play soccer, let's keep it as it is and even increase the wooded area around the fields as a buffer zone to the parkway. Mt Vernon could also soften its "bubble" area with some heavy tree plantings. This is all very do-able...why isn't it done? |
| Date: | 6/12/2001 1:14:00 AM |
| Comment: | There are no other major shopping malls along the Hutchinson River Parkway (underline parkway) north of Bay Plaza. This was designed as a highway with a park-like feel. A big, ugly. shopping mall would change the look and feel of the parkway. Furthermore, anyone who has travelled on the Hutch through Pelham/Mt.Vernon at any time of the day knows that it cannot withstand any more traffic than it already has. It has been classified as a "failed highway". Potential shoppers will be discouraged with the traffic and shop elsewhere. And Pelham is left with this eyesore! |
| Date: | 6/11/2001 10:24:00 PM |
| Comment: | This area is a major open space for both Mt. Vernon's and Pelham's children. The football, soccer, and track and field areas are vital to both communities school recreational programs. This should not be jeaprodized by yet another BIG BOX DEVELOPMENT. I can't help but wonder just WHO will benefit from commercialization of this site. Certainly not the children of Mt. Vernon and Pelham. Malls and continuous shopping are not what we want our kids exposed to for the sake of OUTSIDE INVESTORS. There are plenty of other commercial sites Mt. Vernon could develop which would not cause such an environmental impact on itself and its neighbors. The Developers claim they have an environmental impact study which absolves them of any responsibility towards the impact on our communities. It's inconceivable to me, observing the weekend parking lot called the Hutch, that a major negative envoironmental impact will not be felt by our communities. We ask our government leaders to step in and use their good judgment to stop this ill-advised project. |
| Date: | 6/11/2001 9:33:00 PM |
| Comment: | BRAVO! Everyone loves Green! Green space reminds us why we don't all live in overcrowded cities and apartment buildings. The best thing we can do for all living things is to have and preserve our green space. |
| Date: | 6/11/2001 9:30:00 PM |
| Comment: | A balance can be found between open space and development. Why can't the Hutchinson River look like the Bronx River? Why can't the gov't save the citizens of Mt. Vernon and Pelham from a development that will brutalize the environment, offer dead-end jobs and cost both towns huge tax increases to cover the municiple services necessary to carry such a mall. There is no bounty for Mt. Vernon citizens from this type of mall and there should be no manifest destiny for irresponsible developers. |
| Date: | 6/11/2001 9:29:00 PM |
| Comment: | I believe that this would be an ideal open space. it would reduce the risk of pollution to the Hutchinson River; provide 2 towns with much needed open space. |
| Date: | 6/11/2001 2:56:00 PM |
| Comment: | The Westchester Land Trust, based in Bedford Hills, has for years struck a balance between development and conservation. They should be consulted here. My view is that modest development along Sanford Boulevard should be considered but not on the scale as currently proposed. Mt. Vernon needs to prosper, but I fear the current proposal will make the Sandford Blvd. area merely a shopping destination. |
| Date: | 6/11/2001 1:40:00 PM |
| Comment: | It is an excellent idea to preserve this property as a family recreation area, away from the constant commercial enterprises that are already overwhelming us. We have plenty of retail operations in this area. What we NEED in lower Westchester is more greenspace! Develop this parcel as a beautiful park! |
| Date: | 6/11/2001 1:03:00 PM |
| Comment: | This open space is not that dissimilar to the lovely open space one views along the Bronx River Pkwy north of the Cross County Pkwy. The proposed Sandford Blvd Mall will be as big the Cross County Mall - and look how trashed the Bronx River Pkwy is once it bypasses the Cross County Mall. Please preserve the open space along the Hutchinson Pkwy. |
| Date: | 6/11/2001 12:58:00 PM |
| Comment: | CONGRATULATIONS TO WESTCHESTER COUNTY OFFICIALS FOR THIS "GREEN AND CLEAN" INITIATIVE! WE DESPARETLY NEED TO PRESERVE GREEN, CLEAN AND OPEN SPACE IN LOWER WESTCHESTER. THANK YOU! |
| Date: | 6/11/2001 12:53:00 PM |
| Comment: | What a wonderful opportunity this would be to preserve green space in an area where Pelham and Mount Vernon children spend so much of their sports and recereation time. Also a fantastic idea to preserve the historical significance of a site situated right in the middle of our communities. What a great opportunity to link our children with history and the past. And finally - let's take this opportunity to preserve greenland and stop further contribution to the pollution of our air, land and waterways. I really worry about the level of polution in our area given proximity to the major roadways which are already so conjested with traffic not to mention proximity to the major airports. My home of 10 years is continually covered with soot and presumably so are our lungs. Where does it all end? We the citizens have to take responsibility for the perservation of our communities and the planet. |
| Date: | 6/11/2001 11:39:00 AM |
| Comment: | Beautiful green space like this is needed to prevent the spread of urban sprawl throughout Westchester county. What better place to start this preservation than at Westchester's southern border, linking to the great Pelham Bay estuary. |
| Date: | 6/11/2001 11:38:00 AM |
| Comment: | How can anyone seriously argue against open space preservation? Everything about the location warrants such a designation. Before Mt. Vernon desecrates the space with black top and cement in the name of tax benefit, they might want to consider K MART's present inability to open more than two check out lanes because of the inability to hire more people. The last thing we need are more lines of frustrated shoppers. |
| Date: | 6/11/2001 11:21:00 AM |
| Comment: | This site is currently proposed for a massive, automobile-oriented commercial development. The distinguising feature of the Westchester suburbs, as compared with New Jersey and Long Island in the metropolitan area and suburban areas throughout the country, is that we've not surrendered every last piece of open space to vast parking lots and multi-lane highways. Preserving such open or potentially open space as we can, while developing non-automobile- intensive commercial and other development, will keep Westchester unique, and uniquely habitable. Otherwise, we might as well be in Denver or Dallas. |
| Date: | 6/11/2001 11:20:00 AM |
| Comment: | It is essential that the area remains an open space. The emmissions from the cars will not only pollute Long Island Sound, but pollute our children's lungs as the increased traffic runs right through the middle of our fields, library and schools. The too busy Sanford Blvd should be reworked to reduce the traffic, not increase it. |
| Date: | 6/11/2001 11:11:00 AM |
| Comment: | This area should be keep as an open space. The Hutch. River is finally beginning to show some aquadic life. If the Sandford Blvd. project moves forward then the gains made to date would be lost forever.If possible, this part of the county should add more land to protect wildlife along the Hutch. River. Moving a deep sewer line would be a disaster for the fragile eco system that has now developed. |
| Date: | 6/11/2001 10:53:00 AM |
| Comment: | Not only is it a historically significant site, it is immediately adjacent to the Hutchinson River - which is tidal and flows into the sound. This site if developed, will directly effect fish and wildlife in the Hutchinson River, and will pollute the Long Island Sound. The Hutchinson River Parkway is a failed highway - development of this property will generate 5 million new cars/yr. to the area. This will cause a great increase in air pollution, which will increase the health problems of residents throughout Westchester. I encourage you to take action. Create more open space for Westchester, especially lower Westchester - which has been experiencing in influx in development. We did not move to Westchester for a series of strip malls. We moved here because we wanted a clean, open, healthy area to raise our children. Please help to keep Westchester that way. |
| Date: | 6/11/2001 10:41:00 AM |
| Comment: | Having grown up in the neighborhood, I have fond memories of a green, ecologically thriving Hutchinson River basin spilling into Eastchester Bay and Long Island Sound. I've recently begun seeing signs of life again: crustaceans, small fish, and wading birds in what had been a polluted, decimated ecosystem. With the cessation of oil barge traffic into the old canal area, this is a wonderful opportunity to turn the riverfront area into permanent green space for both the Mt. Vernon and Pelham communities. And of course, St. Paul's Church National Historic Monument sits astride Eastchester Creek just downstream. What a wonderful opportunity to link an historic site dating back to the Colonial period, with ties to the history of the First Amendment, to the Minutemen drilling on the old Eastchester Green, and congregating in the old tavern just across the street; and to the American Revolution itself with a green belt extending along the river down to the old church! |
| Date: | 6/11/2001 10:40:00 AM |
| Comment: | This would be a fabulous quality of life enhancer in a land-starved part of Westchester for generations to come! |
| Date: | 6/11/2001 10:36:00 AM |
| Comment: | The area in question is already primarily used for recreational purposes. Both Pelham and Mt. Vernon have playing fields there, and there are two private "bubbles". What a great spot to add more parkland! |
| Date: | 6/11/2001 10:30:00 AM |
| Comment: | Vastly superior to the proposed strip mall that would completely overwhelm county infrastructure and be extremely disruptive to surrounding area that is predominantly residential. |
| Date: | 6/11/2001 10:28:00 AM |
| Comment: | This area of Westchester is greatly underserved for open space. The more northern sections of the county have abundant open space, why should those areas in the southern region not share these attributes as well. This parcel could become a fabuluous extension of the adjacent athletic fields and/or an excellent place to create walking/nature trails. Do we really need to develop this parcel to add millins of more cars to this already overcrowded region? We should aim to help preserve this area for future generations instead of selling out to the short-term goals of developer (who doesn't even live in our county and yet is seeking to saddle Westchester with his project and coincident traffic/pollution problems). Please do the right thing and save this land for future generations to enjy. |
| Date: | 6/11/2001 10:27:00 AM |
| Comment: | This site has as its eastern boundary, the Hutchinson River. Its preservation as green space would protect that important waterway (which leads to the Long Island Sound) and the significant wildlife that has been noted in the area. It joins existing parcels of recreational space in Pelham and Mount Vernon (including Memorial Field, Hutchinson Field and Glover Field)and open space along the Hutchinson Parkway. Its preservation would preserve the park-like nature of the Hutchinson Parkway. This is also an historically significant site, being situated near the intersection of the former Boston Post Road (now Sandford Boulevard and the Albany Post Road (now Route 22/Columbus Avenue). The site comprises part of the land where the Battle of Pelham was waged during the American Revolution. |
| Date: | 6/7/2001 3:50:00 PM |
