Smith Park, which located on Nepperhan Avenue at Lake Avenue across from the Alexander Smith Carpet Mills Historic District, has undergone an $820,000 renovation. The park was officially reopened with a ribbon-cutting. In addition to a new safety surface that is designed to help prevent injury, the park features an upgraded basketball court as well as new playground equipment and new benches.
Yonkers Parks Commissioner Steve Sansone said that the renovation project was done as a result of n initiative by the parks department, which recognized the need for upgrades despite the absence of community groups calling for improvements to be made.
“We just knew it was never on the radar screen and parks took the initiative with our officials to get it on the must-fix list,” Sansone said. “This investment of over $820,000 is an investment in the future of this neighborhood.”
Sansone gave some background on the park’s namesake, Alexander Smith.
“The Alexander Smith & Sons carpet company prospered, employing more than 3,000 persons,” Sansone said. “He revolutionized the carpet looms and the production of carpets with engineer Halcyon Skinner. He ran for Congress in 1878 but became ill and, after being informed he won, he passed away.”
Sansone said that Smith gave four acres of land to the people of Yonkers and that it was dedicated as Smith Park. Sansone pointed out that there is a monument honoring those who lost their lives in World War II.
Deputy Mayor Anthony Landi referred to Smith Park as an unsung jewel people pass everyday without realizing it. He thanked the City Council for appropriating the funds necessary to pay for the renovations of Smith Park and others in the city’s park system.
City Council Majority Leader Tasha Diaz said, “This is what happens when we band together as colleagues to ensure that the children here in this community and throughout the City of Yonkers have a safe place to play.”
