About Fields for Kids

About Us

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

•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

Nancy Gardiner

Suzanne Despins

TJ Russo

Bill Nachtigal

Mark Friedland

Ex Officio Board Members

Lori Brandon

Kevin Mullaney

Kevin Danehy

Steering Committee

Judy Baumgarten

Mac Budill

Debbie Chapin

Joan Clarke

Lizzy Florence

Bob Garry

Joe Geldwert

Andy Greenberg

Marjorie Siegel Lyons

Eric Marks

Bob Meglio

Steve Moser

Chris Plaut

Janet Smith

Linda Spock

Tom Spock

Gregg Trueman

Natan Vaisman

Philippa Wharton

Laura Lee Williams

Our History

Nov 2009 – More than 400 families contributed to the MHS Memorial Field Project 2010 and FFK was able to raise $465,000 which combined with district monies allows for the renovation of Memorial Field at the high school. Current plans are for the field to be built summer of 2010.

September 2009 – A fundraising campaign to build a multi- purpose playing field at Mamaroneck High School’s Memorial Field to be used for District and community athletic programs and activities is launched.

June 2008 – The new Alexander Alma Memorial turf field was opened in Flint Park.

Jan 2008 – Work was begun for a new synthetic playing field in the park.

Fall 2007 – The back playing field at Flint was reseeded and drainage and water systems were installed. The field will be ready to play on by early summer 2009.

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.

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.

June 2007 – School Board presents field feasibility study including Plans B and C.

May 2007 – Fields for Kids begins quiet phase fundraising solicitation.

April – June 2007 – Flood and School Budget defeat put fields initiative on hold.

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.

January – March 2007 – Representatives from Fields for Kids continue to attend municipal and school board meetings.

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.

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.

November 2006 – Fields for Kids launches website and communications campaign to build awareness and gain support from local citizens.

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.

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.

August 2006 – Fields for Kids organization begins discussions.

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