Smith O'Hara Levine Memorial Park

Smith O'Hara Levine Memorial Park, located at 52 Lawrence St and 1 Wolffe St, Yonkers, NY 10705, USA, stands as a testament to urban revitalization and community dedication, making it a highly valued "Scenic Spot" within the City of Yonkers. This park, historically significant and recently transformed, offers a vibrant environment for recreation and relaxation. Its classification as a "Scenic Spot" extends beyond mere aesthetics; it encompasses the experience of a thriving community space, providing essential services and features that enhance the quality of life for local residents. The "goods" offered are the intangible benefits of accessible green space, play opportunities, and community connection, all freely available to the public.

The environment of Smith O'Hara Levine Memorial Park is one of rejuvenation and modern design. Once suffering from "disinvestment," it has been "recently rebuilt" and "resurrected," as highlighted by enthusiastic customer reviews. This transformation, involving an $820,000 renovation, has created a clean and inviting atmosphere. A significant environmental feature is the "great new playground equipment," which was notably "picked out by children at nearby Public School 13," ensuring its appeal and relevance to its primary users. The playground also boasts a "new safety surface that is designed to help prevent injury," emphasizing a commitment to a secure play environment. Beyond the playground, the park includes an "upgraded basketball court" and a "baseball field," catering to a variety of sports activities. The park is nestled within an urban setting, and its redevelopment has focused on integrating green infrastructure and enhancing the visual appeal of the area. It is also designed to be a crucial component of the larger "Yonkers Greenway," an ambitious project transforming an abandoned section of the Old Putnam Railroad into a revitalized linear park. This integration means the park's environment extends into a broader network of walking and biking trails, connecting it to other green spaces like Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx and the Yonkers Pier. The park also features "new benches" and open grass areas, providing space for relaxation and informal gathering. The commitment of the City of Yonkers and the Mayor to restoring this park underscores its importance as an environmental investment in the community.

The services offered by Smith O'Hara Levine Memorial Park are primarily recreational and community-focused. The provision of "great new playground equipment" serves children of various ages, offering opportunities for active play, physical development, and social interaction. The "upgraded basketball court" and "baseball field" provide essential spaces for organized sports and casual games, promoting physical activity among youth and adults. The park's role as a "destination along the coming Yonkers Greenway" highlights a broader service: facilitating walking, biking, and connecting communities through a continuous green corridor. This will allow residents to access other areas and amenities via a safe and scenic route. While there are no direct "goods for sale" within the park, it facilitates valuable recreational and social services. The park also serves as a hub for community engagement. Historically, the park was converted from the Lowerre Station area of the railroad in the early 1960s, named in honor of three Yonkers World War II veterans: Daniel I. Levine, Earl Smith, and Bernard O'Hara. Its restoration involved significant community input, including children selecting playground equipment, demonstrating a service of responsive urban planning. The park is managed by the City of Yonkers, with contact information available at phone (914) 377-6450 and mobile phone +1 914-377-6450, providing a direct channel for inquiries about park services or local programs. Furthermore, the park is intended to host a "community garden" adjacent to the playground, promoting healthy, local food options and empowering local residents as environmental change agents, especially for low-income residents in Southwest Yonkers' Lowerre community.

The features of Smith O'Hara Levine Memorial Park are indicative of its recent overhaul and its integration into a larger urban greenway project. A central feature is the "new playground," equipped with modern and safe play structures. The specific equipment, chosen by children, suggests a user-centric design approach. The park also features an "upgraded basketball court" and a "baseball field," providing versatile spaces for various sports. Its 2.7-acre size includes open grass areas and seating, offering ample space for diverse activities. A crucial feature is its connection to the "Yonkers Greenway," a 2.4-mile walking and biking trail along the abandoned Putnam Railroad line that will ultimately link Getty Square and the Yonkers Pier with Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. This greenway is designed to include "art installations and gardens," enhancing the aesthetic and cultural features of the park and its surroundings. Indeed, the park features a new public art installation designed and installed by Yonkers artist Haifa Bint-Kadi, comprising "three mosaic poles and two 2-D steel cut outs that represent the Greenway's history and natural habitat," including sculptures honoring the Putnam Railroad's history and celebrating the diverse cultures of Yonkers. The park's historical naming after World War II veterans adds a layer of commemorative significance. The formal dedication of the park as "Smith, O'Hara, Levine Park" by the Yonkers Parks Board highlights its importance as a restored public asset. The park also includes a monument honoring those who lost their lives in World War II, further cementing its role as a memorial site.

Promotional information for Smith O'Hara Levine Memorial Park heavily emphasizes its revitalization and its role as a key component of the ambitious Yonkers Greenway project. Customer reviews like, "So happy the City of Yonkers and the Mayor restored Smith O'Hara Lavin Park. Parks are an important part of childhood, what a beautiful investment in Yonkers and it's families," serve as powerful testimonials to its community value. The park's official contact information, phone (914) 377-6450 and mobile phone +1 914-377-6450, is readily available to the public. Promotions often highlight the park's modern amenities, particularly the "great new playground equipment," encouraging families with children to visit. Its future role as a "destination along the coming Yonkers Greenway" is a significant promotional point, inviting users to anticipate an expanded network for recreation and connectivity. The involvement of various partners, including the City of Yonkers, Groundwork Hudson Valley, New York State Parks Department, and other funders, is often cited in promotional materials to underscore the collaborative effort behind its restoration and ongoing development. The public art installations are promoted to attract those interested in culture and art in public spaces, linking the park to broader cultural initiatives. The park's role in addressing historical disinvestment and redlining in Southwest Yonkers is also a compelling narrative used in broader promotional efforts for urban renewal projects. The various public groundbreakings and dedication ceremonies involving city officials and community leaders also serve as significant promotional events, drawing public attention to the park's rebirth and its future potential as a vibrant community hub. In essence, Smith O'Hara Levine Memorial Park is promoted not just as a park, but as a symbol of Yonkers' commitment to green infrastructure, community well-being, and historical recognition.

Smith O'Hara Levine Memorial Park

52 Lawrence St, 1 Wolffe St, Yonkers, NY 10705, USA