About Fields for Kids
Larchmont-Mamaroneck Fields for Kids is a community-based organization whose mission is to advocate and raise money for the adequate number of safe and up-to-date playing fields for students participating in school-related and community-run sports programs in our area. >Learn More
We Support
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•The positive impact of active sports participation on academic performance and
the development of healthy individuals. -
•Municipal and community efforts to find
prompt solutions to the current shortage of fields, including investigation of new fields,
turf, and/or lighting. -
•Partial private funding for the upgrade of existing fields and creation of new outdoor fields.
A Bit of Background
In an effort to address the field shortage, the Mamaroneck School Board explored many options seven years ago — everything from buying the Food Emporium parking lot (not big enough, now Equinox), developing Tony’s Nursery (too expensive and environmentally challenging), to converting the playgrounds at Chatsworth and Murray (too small).
Ultimately they proposed a plan that would add a field to the high school campus. This proposal was controversial because it impacted the Kemper Memorial property. This became a very emotionally charged issue for our community that led to years of litigation.
In the meantime, over those same six years, none of the three municipalities who serve the same children as the School District, came forward with a plan to alleviate the field crunch and provide for our youth.
Finally in summer of 2006 litigation was exhausted and the School Board was legally authorized to move forward, yet there was still controversial sentiment in the community.
That’s where Fields for Kids comes in.... perhaps there were new alternatives with the aid of improved field technology and better tri-municipal cooperation and a grass roots effort…
Board of Directors
Jim Hanley – President
Ted Sobel – Treasurer
Jennifer Conley – Secretary
Lori Brandon
Kevin Danehy
Nancy Gardiner
Suzanne Despins
Kevin Mullaney
Steering Committee
Judy Baumgarten
Debbie Chapin
Joan Clarke
Lizzy Florence
Bob Garry
Joe Geldwert
Andy Greenberg
Blythe Hamer
Marjorie Siegel Lyons
Eric Marks
Bob Meglio
Steve Moser
Steve Muratore
Chris Plaut
TJ Russo
Janet Smith
Tom Spock
Gregg Trueman
Natan Vaisman
Philippa Wharton
Laura Lee Williams
Learn more
Copyright © 2008 Larchmont Mamaroneck Fields for Kids > Site Map
Our History
August 2006 – Fields for Kids organization begins discussions
October 2006 – Fields for Kids Board elected
October 2006 – Fields for Kids announces organization through Sound and Town Ad with support from over 200 listed taxpayers
October – December 2006 – Fields for Kids members attend board meetings at Town of Mamaroneck, Village of Larchmont, Village of Mamaroneck and the School Board advocating for more and better playing fields. Citizens speak out and write letters to local press. Fields for Kids makes headlines for many months.
November 2006 – Fields for Kids launches website and communications campaign to build awareness and gain support from local citizens.
December 2006 – Fields for Kids commissions extensive community-wide study to analyze field use and needs. Study supported and underwritten by five local sports leagues.
December 2006 – Village of Larchmont identifies opportunity for new Turf field as part of an overall Flint Park renovation project. Town of Mamaroneck joins effort by contributing key land, support and cooperation.
January 2007 – The Village of Larchmont, Town of Mamaroneck and Fields for Kids complete a joint application to the County of Westchester’s Legacy Grant Program to fund turf field in Flint Park and Flint /Lorenzen park renovation.
January – March 2007 – Representatives from Fields for Kids continue to attend municipal and school board meetings.
March 2007 – Fields for Kids organizes first Roundtable discussion with the three municipalities and School District to prioritize actions and plans for fields in the community. Key leaders attend showing enthusiastic collaboration, 55 in attendance, including County Legislator Judy Myers. Interactive discussion moderated by State Assemblyman, George Latimer.
April – June 2007 – Flood and School Budget defeat put fields initiative on hold.
May 2007 – Fields for Kids begins quiet phase fundraising solicitation.
June 2007 – School Board presents field feasibility study including Plans B and C.
September 2007 – Westchester County Board of Legislators awards $2,550,000 Legacy Grant to the Village of Larchmont and Town of Mamaroneck to build new turf field in Flint Park .
October 2007 – Follow-up Roundtable discussion is organized by Fields for Kids and further plans are discussed for new and improved fields in Mamaroneck and on School District property.
Fields for Kids continues to join both the municipal and the school board discussions on field improvements moving forward on an ongoing basis.
