L-R-County Legislator James Nolan, Councilman Mike Breen, Mayor Mike Spano, Theresa McMahon, Katie Sullivan, Kristen McDermott, Rebecca Kerrigan, Councilman John Rubbo, Parks Commissioner Steve Sansone
By Dan Murphy
The Crestwood neighborhood in the City of Yonkers is a close-knit community, with many generations living in the same family homes they grew up in. One popular City Park in Crestwood is Schultze Park and field, located at St. Eleanoras Lane. The park has been in need of an upgrade for some time.
When two of Crestwood’s “Angels,” Annie McMahon and Allie Sullivan, passed away in 2019, an effort began to remember them, but to also accomplish something meaningful in their memory.
That’s when two Crestwood residents, Kristen McDermott and Rebecca Kerrigan, began the effort to raise money to help improve the park in the memory of Annie and Allie. They formed the Crestwood Community Fund in 2020, and last week presented a check for $420,000 to Mayor Mike Spano and the City to help make needed upgrades to the park.
“Crestwood is a special community, and after the girls passed away, we wanted to do something in their memory. But we also wanted to see if we could raise funds to improve the park that so many of us have used,” said co-founder Kristen McDermott. “We are transplants to Crestwood, but it is heartwarming to see a community come together like this,” said Kerrigan.
After speaking to their Councilman Mike Breen, and City Parks Commissioner Steve Sansone, the fund raising began. In 2022, a plunge for the park was held at Growler’s in Tuckahoe that raised $35k. And in June of 2022, a big fundraiser gala was held that raised $185,000.
“The whole project was a gift to the Sullivan and McMahon families, who are always looking for ways to help people,” said McDermott.
“We look forward to the future of Schultze Playground and feel so lucky that our (soon to be) new playground has two of the very best Angels watching over it and all those who get to enjoy it,” said Kerrigan.
Was COVID an obstacle to getting this done? “Yes, but after COVID, people came out like lightning out of a bottle, looking for something to do,” said McDermott.
“Even if you didn’t have a connection to the family, this park is the heart of our community and the place to be. You still want a park to bring your kids to.” Said Kerrigan.
Key features to the park improvements will be, first and foremost, a rubberized floor for the playground. A figure 8 pathway around the park, and alleviating the summer heat with some shading, are also on the list.
“We want to thank so many individuals and groups who came together to make this possible. Several local schools, and The Ursuline School (where both Allie and Annie graduated from) all stepped up, and the families and friends of all the girls came together to help achieve this goal. And we had donations from throughout Westchester and across the country to help us with this endeavor.,” said McDermott.
Councilman Mike Breen and Parks Commissioner Steve Sansone have been great partners. Councilman Breen made sure we got the attention of the city and made sure we were heard. Sansone was a pleasure to work with.”
“I’m so happy that we were able to expedite the improvements to this park for the community. The people who donated wanted to see this get done. It is a true public private partnership, and they know exactly what they need and want in their new park,” said Breen.
The group is hoping that the city can break ground this fall with an opening date of Spring 2024. “Crestwood is a very special community, in a great city. It took a village, and help from the 3rd largest city in New York, to make this dream come true,” said Kerrigan.
