Graffiti Squad Tackles Vandalism at Hamilton Avenue Bridge
Local volunteers have formed a Graffiti Squad to counter vandalism at various county parks. The effort is a program of the Westchester Parks Foundation (WPF).
The first project for the team was the Bronx River Reservation walkway bridge at Hamilton Avenue in White Plains where graffiti was scrubbed away and painted over on Aug. 30.
Many of Westchester’s stonework bridges and other structures have fallen victim to similar vandalism.
“People in our community may be blind to the fact that there is a graffiti problem in Westchester County, but it is indeed a real issue that we are hoping to help fix,” said Joanne Fernandez, chairperson for the Westchester Parks Foundation, formerly known as Friends of Westchester County Parks. “Thanks to a group of volunteers who believe in keeping our county parks beautiful, we are on a mission to remove vandalism where we can.”
Men and women of all ages and from various parts of the county came together to clean the graffiti along the Reservation. They also applied an eco-friendly coating to the surface that will allow any future graffiti to be wiped away.
“Many families use Westchester County parks,” said Dimitri Ververis, who lives in the Bronx and works in Yonkers. “I used to go to the parks when I was a little kid so I know it should be a beautiful place for families to enjoy. I wanted to help out so we can make this area more appealing and not scary for kids.”
Elizabeth Ramos of Yonkers added, “We volunteer with the Westchester Parks Foundation on a monthly basis and this is a great project because it allows us to beautify the area for walkers and bicyclists.”
It is the mission of the Westchester Parks Foundation to encourage continued investment in Westchester County’s 18,000 acres of parks, trails and open spaces. Since its inception in 1977, the nonprofit organization has held close to the notion that it is critical to provide ongoing support for maintenance, civic improvement and access to nature.
To find out how to become a member of the Graffiti Squad, to be a sponsor of the program, or to participate in other volunteer opportunities, call 914-231-4548.
For more information about the Westchester Parks Foundation visit thewpf.org.
