Watch the full News Conference Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9agNj5IKAIA
The beaches are opening, the grills are on and the sun is shining as Memorial Day Weekend is here for the unofficial start of summer. Residents can kick off summer at our beaches, Croton Point in Croton-on-Hudson or Glen Island in New Rochelle, as both are open weekends and holidays beginning Saturday, May 27 through Sunday, June 18, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with last entry at 6 p.m.; Glen Island Beach is open to Westchester County residents only.
Beginning Friday, June 23, Glen Island will be open daily, along with the four County-owned pools: Saxon Woods in White Plains, Sprain Ridge and Tibbetts in Yonkers and Willson’s Woods in Mt. Vernon. All require proof of Westchester County residency. Croton Beach will be open Wednesdays through Sundays. All facilities will be open from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with last entry at 6 p.m.; entry fees apply and parking fees apply where applicable. Full schedule and fees are available here.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “Westchester County has so much to offer during the summer, and we are ready to kick off the unofficial start of summer with the opening of Westchester County beaches, Croton Point and Glen Island. I’m excited to welcome everyone back and look forward to a fun summer!”
Croton Point Park has a new bathhouse, which was part of a $5 million capital project. It was constructed on top of the existing foundation slabs of the 1962 bathhouse, with supplemental foundations to support the new construction. The building includes bathrooms with lockers, dressing stalls and showers, and will house the Lifeguard, First Aid and Police stations. Additionally, photo voltaic solar panels will be installed this summer, which will provide electric energy back into the power grid to offset electrical loads.
Additional Summer Parks Events are as follows:
Cultural Heritage Celebrations
Asian-American, Saturday, June 3, Noon to 6 p.m., Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla
Albanian, Sunday, June 4, Noon to 6 p.m., Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla
African-American, Sunday, June 25, Noon to 6 p.m., Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla
Hispanic, Sunday, July 9, Noon to 6 p.m., Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla
Irish-American, Sunday, July 16, Noon to 6 p.m., Ridge Road Park, Hartsdale *Admission: $5 adults; free for ages 14 and under
Italian, Sunday, July 23, Noon to 6 p.m., Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla
India, Sunday, Aug. 6, Noon to 6 p.m., Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla
Jewish, Sunday, Aug. 20, Noon to 6 p.m., Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla
Muslim Heritage, Sunday, Aug. 27, Noon to 6 p.m., Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla
Festivals will be held rain or shine. Seating is informal; bring blankets or folding chairs for seating on the lawn. No coolers will be allowed. Admission and parking are free.
Events at Westchester County Pools and Beaches
Spend your summer at Westchester County Pools and Beaches! Come for a swim and enjoy special events like DJ Days, Family Fun Days and our annual Sand Art Contest at Glen Island Beach. Participation in special events is free; admission and parking rules apply.
DJ Days:
DJ Days at Croton Point Beach
Saturday, May 27, Noon to 4 p.m.
Monday, May 29, Noon to 4 p.m.
Saturday, June 3, Noon to 4 p.m.
Saturday, June 17, Noon to 4 p.m.
DJ Days at Glen Island Beach
Sunday, May 28, Noon to 4 p.m.
Saturday, June 10, Noon to 4 p.m.
Sunday, June 18, Noon to 4 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 26, Noon to 4 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 3, Noon to 4 p.m.
DJ Days at Saxon Woods Pool
Sunday, June 25, Noon to 4 p.m.
Saturday, July 1, Noon to 4 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 19, Noon to 4 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 2, Noon to 4 p.m.
DJ Days at Sprain Ridge Pool
Monday, June 24, Noon to 4 p.m.
Tuesday, July 4, Noon to 4 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 2, Noon to 4 p.m.
DJ Days at The Brook at Tibbetts
Sunday, June 25, Noon to 4 p.m.
Sunday, July 2, Noon to 4 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 20, Noon to 4 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 3, Noon to 4 p.m.
DJ Days at Willson’s Woods Pool
Saturday, June 24, Noon to 4 p.m.
Tuesday, July 4, Noon to 4 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 27, Noon to 4 p.m.
Family Fun Days:
Family Fun Day at Sprain Ridge Pool, Saturday, July 8, Noon to 4 p.m.
(rain date: July 9)
Family Fun Day at Saxon Woods Pool, Saturday, July 15, Noon to 4 p.m.
(rain date: July 16)
Family Fun Day at The Brook at Tibbetts, Saturday, July 22, Noon to 4 p.m.
(rain date: July 23)
Family Fun Day at Willson’s Woods Pool, Saturday, July 29, Noon to 4 p.m.
(rain date: July 30)
Family Fun Day Sand Art Competition at Glen Island Beach, Saturday, Aug. 5, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(rain date: Aug. 6)
Family Fun Day at Croton Point Beach, Saturday, Aug. 12, Noon to 4 p.m.
(rain date: Aug. 13)
Commissioner of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation, Kathy O’Connor said: “The new Croton Point bathhouse is part of a multi-year long vision of the park, and I’m thrilled that it will be open and utilized this summer. The addition of the new structure is a visually appealing element to the park.”
To ensure a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for all in summer, additional police officers and Seasonal Park Rangers will be deployed to County parks. Over Memorial Day weekend, there is a significant increase in motorists traveling on Westchester County’s parkways, and extra Patrol officers will be stationed to respond to calls for assistance, and to keep motorists safe.
The Westchester County Marine Unit also increases its patrol activity on the Hudson River and Long Island Sound in warmer weather when there is an increase in recreational boating activity. We urge all boaters to check that their vessel is in sound condition before heading out on the water, and ensure that they are carrying the legally required documents and equipment such as Personal Flotation Devices that must be on board.
The Westchester County Department of Public Safety urges anyone with a safety concern or other problem to notify a police officer, park ranger or parks employee to so the issue can be addressed promptly.
Acting Public Safety Commissioner Terrance Raynor said: “Westchester County police officers and Seasonal Park Rangers will be working in partnership with the Parks Department to maintain safety at beaches and pools, at Playland, and in all parks across the entire County. We ask the public to be our partner in this effort as well. If any park patron has a safety concern, we ask that they bring it to the attention of an officer, a park ranger or a parks employee so it can be addressed promptly.”
Now that it’s unofficially summer and more time will be spent outdoors, it is important to take into consideration additional health and safety tips including how to protect yourself from the sun, cooling off and keeping mosquitos and ticks at bay.
Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, MD, said: “Before you and your family spend time outdoors, apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 or more to prevent skin damage. Reapply it every two hours and after you have been in the water. Sunscreen goes on first, before insect repellent. Wear sunglasses and a hat for extra protection. When it warms up, be sure everyone drinks lots of water and cools off in the shade.”
Spring and summer is also prime time for mosquitos and ticks. To avoid becoming a meal for ticks and mosquitos.
Amler continued: “When you walk in the woods, keep to the trails, avoid brushing against shrubs and cover up. Adults can apply insect repellents with up to 30 percent DEET on infants two months of age and older by applying the product to their own hands and then rubbing their hands on their children. Perform daily tick checks on yourself, your family and pets after spending time in wooded and grassy areas.”
To learn more about how to prevent mosquito and tick bites and about how to remove a tick, go to www.westchestergov.com/health.