Parking, Landscaping Concerns Over New Armonk Park Proposals
Four variations of a plan to bring recreation space to an open town-owned parcel in downtown Armonk were unveiled to the public last week, but key decisions await on location of parking and landscape design.
The North Castle Parks & Recreation Advisory Board entertained comments from residents at its Feb. 4 meeting on the plans for what is now referred to as Wampus Park South near the intersection of Bedford Road and Maple Avenue. The area is located across the street from Wampus Brook Park. Dozens of trees were toppled at the site during Superstorm Sandy.
Several residents, including a few who live at nearby Wampus Close, voiced concern about the town’s plans for the land and appealed to the advisory board to proceed cautiously.
“I feel there’s a lot of things to be done here in town and I wouldn’t just mind seeing the grass put out (and) leave it at that for now,” said Armonk resident Ann Dantzig. “See how many people really come and use it, and if there’s any need to embellish it, then embellish it. But I don’t think there’s any need to go all out.”
During a brief presentation, Planning Director Adam Kaufman provided highlights of the plans. The layout for three of the designs features a large open space with grass and various types of tree plantings, including the use of shade trees or evergreens to provide buffer with the adjacent commercial property, Elide Plaza. Another design, Scheme B, splits the open area into two smaller activity spaces. Schemes A, B and C call for the existing maple grove to remain, while the fourth plan, Scheme D, would remove the grove for parking and evergreen screening.
A major point of concern is parking. Scheme A features 14 on-street parking spaces along Bedford Road that would necessitate expansion of the street, Kaufman said. Scheme B calls for a new parking area adjacent to Bedford Road, while Scheme C proposes the new parking area adjacent to Elide Plaza. Access for both could be gained via Bedford Road or Elide Plaza.
The remaining proposal is for the parking area to be adjacent to Route 22 on the south side of the property. Each proposed parking lot would contain between 20 and 30 spaces, Kaufman said. Any use of the privately owned Elide Plaza for access would have to include an agreement between the landowner and the town in perpetuity, he said.
Discussion of a lot of that size had Wampus Close resident Norma Hill worried that the site could impact quality of life for neighbors.
“That’s a lot of parking if you’re talking about 20 and 30 spaces,” Hill said. “That’s a parking lot, not a park.”
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Chairman Joseph DiMauro said the board, after consulting with the Open Space Committee and Conservation Board, has concluded that the land should be used as a quiet location, and that the possibility of it being an athletic field, for example, was dismissed.
“The board also felt that it should be open space to be enjoyed by the community, where it’s for picnics, reading,” DiMauro said. “Just a mellow place, not an athletic field.”
DiMauro added that the field could also be used for overflow parking for a few large events held in town each year, such as the Fol-de-Rol in June, the Armonk Outdoor Art Show in September and Frosty Day, which kicks off the Christmas season.
Other features include a walking path that would be coordinated with Wampus Brook Park. Town officials are looking for the cost of the improvements to be paid for through a recreation fund that developers contribute to, Kaufman said.
Since Superstorm Sandy there have been two controversial episodes related to the property. A majority of the prior town board had first proposed a dog park for the location, but that was met with some intense criticism. Last fall, the town had cleared most of the remaining trees in preparation for some kind of passive recreation use at the site, which also prompted outcry among neighbors.
DiMauro said the advisory board hopes to make a recommendation within a month to the town board, which will ultimately make a decision about the site.
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/
