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In this time of electronic friendships, Joe Stout, executive director of Friends of Westchester County Parks, wants to bring friendship to the most natural level. His goal is to have 1,000 new 'friends' of Westchester parks at the $100 gift level. That level of support will provide the foundation to sustain the parks throughout the county.
Stout, the former Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation, said, My main goal is to grow our friendships. He is seeking people who would become members. Those that believe county parks and the services that are provided are an important part of their life would back up that belief with both financial support and advocacy of commitment.
Stout -- who has specialized in the management, improvement and preservation of parks for more than three decades (he worked for Westchester County for 18 years)--appreciates the role parks play in the lives of Westchester residents. The last time we did a survey, 75 percent of the people who live in the county used a county park or a program. That is a pretty significant number. There is no other service that is provided by any government that reaches three quarters of its residents.
He considers the relationship between residents and parks a sacred trust. Stout said, I still believe that we are the heirs to some pretty smart people who put together this park system. There are places that would never be parks today. The land is so valuable." He talked about the 18,000 acres in the Westchester Park system and the many programs available.
Just recently, residents enjoyed the annual music fest at Kensico Dam and a movie night under the stars that drew thousands. Camp Morty in North Salem is another summer favorite for Stout since it brings underprivileged children in Westchester for a week-long camp experience. A couple of those sessions enable siblings that have been separated by the system to reunite for the week of camp. Stout said the camp is named for Morton Hyman who ran the camp system in Westchester for more than 20 years.
Stout and his family have enjoyed the parks throughout his career. Residents of Harrison, he, his wife, Mary Ellen and daughter, Kerriann, and even his bulldog, Abby, created many memories in Westchester parks. Kerriann summed it up the value of parks for many families at Stouts retirement party. She described the many things she learned to do that happened in the parksswimming at Saxon Woods in White Plains, riding a bicycle alongside the Bronx River in Scarsdale, and hiking in Ward Pound Ridge.
To become a friend of Westchester Parks, visit http://www.friendsofwestchesterparks.com/become.html.
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