2022 Impact Report
Our Mission
Westchester Parks Foundation engages the public to advocate for and invest in the preservation, conservation, use, and enjoyment of the 18,000 acres of parks, trails, and open spaces within the Westchester County Parks system.
Westchester Parks Foundation is a private, not-forprofit organization. For more than 45 years, we have invested over 20 million dollars to enhance and preserve county parks for all to enjoy.
Our Board of Trustees comprises a diverse team of committed individuals who devote time and expertise to ensure that our parks will be here for future generations to enjoy.
Why Support Parks?
There is a park for everyone in Westchester County. We are united by the fact that we all have incredible memories and experiences in our parks and outdoor spaces. Everyone, from all walks of life, refresh mind and body in our parks. Westchester County Parks are home to a wide array of settings including lakes, bike trails, golf courses, beaches, pools, campgrounds, athletic fields and nature preserves. In 2022, millions of people continued to visit parks, spending more time than ever enjoying our natural green spaces. Volunteering, bird watching, swimming, hiking, golfing, walking, and more, whatever you like to do, there is a park in Westchester for you. Let’s all speak up and stand up for our beloved parks, and protect these spaces for future generations.
Program Accomplishments: 2015-2022
21,334
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteer Program
In 2022, our dedicated volunteers made an impressive impact giving back to the parks they love. By the end of the year, 4,115 volunteers had contributed 12,119 hours of service to the parks, trails, and open spaces across the county. This is equivalent to $362,964 worth of investment of sweat equity into Westchester’s Parks. This year we were pleased to strengthen community relationships with local businesses and schools, through our volunteer projects and internships.
63,085
HOURS OF SERVICE
$1,875,521
SWEAT EQUITY
Camp Morty 2022 Highlights
435
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED
309
INDIVIDUAL CAMPERS
Camp Morty
In the summer of 2022, Camp Morty returned home to Sal J. Prezioso Mountain Lakes Park after two long awaited summers to host campers for overnight camp!
Thanks to an incredibly successful Gala and the kindness of our individual donors, Camp Morty is launching a new teen camp program next summer called Merriwood. Merriwood is specifically designed for teen campers 13-15 years old, and it emphasizes teen empowerment, building life skills, community service and professional development. Merriwood will launch in 2023 as a small pilot program for approximately 30 campers in with the goal of expanding in 2024 to host approximately 100 campers!
INITIATIVES
Bicycle Sundays continues to provide opportunities during a time when people need outlets for recreation and fitness. We love that people got out of their cars each week to make incredible memories on the Parkway. Incredibly, over 60,000 people biked, walked, and jogged in the 2022 season.
We are thrilled to announce the first Adaptive Hike Program within Westchester County Parks set to launch in 2023! Thanks to the support of individual community members, donors, local businesses, as well as the recentgrant award from Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, this program will provide equitable access to nature.
Did you know? Many of the programs and initiatives of Westchester Parks Foundation are made possible by proceeds from the operation of the driving ranges at Dunwoodie in Yonkers and Mohansic in Yorktown. When golfers come out to practice their swing, they are supporting parks and trails all over Westchester!
#TRACKTHETRUCK
Thanks to our 2021 Giving Tuesday donors, the Volunteer Program acquired a second vehicle in early 2022. The truck was unveiled at the Bronx River Blitz, where 106 volunteers collected litter from the 11-mile pathway in one day. By following #trackthetruck on Instagram, you can see that during our busy season (May-October), we reached 43 more park sites than 2021!
Westchester’s Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru Holiday Light Extravaganza continues to be a cherished holiday tradition, now in its ninth season in 2022. Over 90,000 people were dazzled and delighted with 1.2 miles of holiday lights, with NEW larger than life displays, and a visit with Santa right from the warmth of their own car.
NATURE CENTER FIELD TRIPS
Nature Center Field Trips began to be offered to underserved students across Westchester County. Through generous funding from a private donor, the goal of the program is to provide transportation funding to school districts that may not otherwise be able to afford busing, and introduce students of diverse backgrounds to the opportunities that nature education provides.
GRANT & SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS
FINANCES
Westchester Parks Foundation ended 2022 with revenues of $3,593,075 and expenses of $3,256,801 (unaudited). The resiliency of our earned revenue streams and business operations, coupled with receipt of federal funding and strong controls on spending, contributed to an overall increase in net revenue and flexibility to contribute to key projects in our treasured parks.