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Joseph A. Cerrato Park
Map
Interactive map of Joseph A. Cerrato Park
LocationYonkers, NY, United States
Coordinates40°55′42.2″N 73°54′1.1″W / 40.928389°N 73.900306°W / 40.928389; -73.900306
Area2.3 acres (0.93 ha)
Opened1976 (1976)
DesignerRichard Dattner and Associates
OperatorWestchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation
Construction cost$1.6 million ($9.05 million in 2025)
WebsiteOfficial website

Cerrato Park, officially Joseph A. Cerrato Park, is a 2.3-acre (0.93 ha) urban park in Yonkers, New York, United States. Designed by Richard Dattner and Associates and constructed by Park Hill Construction Co.,

Description

Cerrato Park is located in southwest Yonkers near the city's central business district.[1][2] Covering 2.3 acres (0.93 ha), the park is bounded by Vark Street, Jackson Street, Herriot Street, and Riverdale Avenue.[3] <who the park serves>

The park is divided into several recreational areas with distinct uses, split by two diagonal pathways which promote movement through the park to allow it to remain safe. At their intersection are two concrete amphitheaters: the northern can function as a stage, while southern features fountains set into its steps for use as a spray pool. In the center of the park, water from a play fountain on the park's upper level flows through a channel and drains at the lower tier. The southwest corner of the park features playground equipment designed for younger children, set on mulch playground surfacing. The northwest corner is designed for older children, having basketball and handball courts. The eastern half of the park consists primarily of passive space, with open grassy areas for activities such as sitting or playing games.[2][3][4]

History

The In 1970, the Yonkers Urban Renewal Agency stated that as part of urban renewal plans, they would acquire land between Jackson Terrace and Phillipse Towers, finalizing the acquisition of the land that the park now sits on in 1972.[5][6] After receiving commitment to a $7 million ($50.8 million in 2025) grant from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for Yonkers's Riverview Neighborhood Development Program in 1973, the city modified its urban renewal plans, including changing the planned use for the land between Jackson Terrace and Phillipse Towers from residential to parkland.[7] Philip R. Pistone, then the Yonkers Planning Director, stated that the space would likely be used to construct a ballfield, serving the residents of new housing nearby.[8]

On February 27, 1974, the Yonkers City Council approved the city manager to hire an engineering and design consultant for the park at an estimated cost of $27,500 ($179,529 in 2025). Additionally, the council authorized the closure of a section of Jefferson Street between Vark Street and Herriot Street, which the city planning director stated was being used for garbage dumping, to clear space for the new park.[9][10]

Residents of the area criticized the

- Hired architect, landscape architect, etc.

- $400,000 park promised, stalled when UDC's contractor ran out of memory due to Riverdale Avenue housing projects

- $27,000 to $40,000 temporary "Instant" park proposed 

   - City will 'clear, grade, and seed' and install basketball courts
   - Opposition

- $25,00 was spent to clear area, add basketball hoops and swings, 40x50ft area

- 7/9/74 bond ordinance for design

- Naming conflict, Joseph A. Cerrato Park passed

- Dattner presented green park concept approved by community and member of Department of Development

- Plans unveiled March 1975 

   - Bids will open April
   - Expected to open early fall
   - Three areas
   - Passive quiet section facing Jackson Street by request
   - City to buy land from CDA for $205,000
   - Funding source

- After bids were advertised by CDA in May, 3 companies who bid, bid awarded to Park Hill Landscaping for $506,950

- Groundbreaking ceremony was held at 11 on July 29, 1975, with Joseph A. Cerrato in attendance

- Plans 'recently' approved by Yonkers Community Development Agency?

- Timeline updated to Summer 1976

- State Emergency Financial Control Board did not approve Yonkers to pay the CDA $205,000 to buy the park land

- Sod?


References

  1. ^ Solomon, J.D.; David, Will (May 5, 1982). "Girl, 12, an innocent victim of Spring Offensive". Retrieved August 14, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b Senda, Mitsuru; Ichinowatari, Katsuhiko (1982). Playgrounds and play apparatus. Process Architecture Publishing Company. p. 94. ISBN 1338409689.
  3. ^ a b Schmitz, Katie (March 24, 1975). "Cerrato Park plans unveiled". The Herald Statesman. Retrieved August 14, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Cerrato Park". Yonkers, NY. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  5. ^ Dowson, Sarah (October 23, 1970). "Advisory Committee Urges More Speed". The Herald Statesman. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  6. ^ Draft Environmental Impact Statement Riverdale Avenue Arterial (Report). Yonkers, NY: Federal Highway Administration. 1980. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  7. ^ Tritten, Jennie (May 25, 1973). "City to get $7 million from U.S." The Herald Statesman. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  8. ^ Tritten, Jennie (May 30, 1973). "It's Council's move on Riverview development". The Herald Statesman. Retrieved August 17, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Schmitz, Katie (November 15, 1973). "Retaining wall OKd for Otis". The Herald Statesman. Retrieved January 30, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Schweizer, Paul (February 27, 1974). "Austin dump conversion fund OKd". The Herald Statesman. Retrieved January 30, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.

Temporary source list:

https://www.google.com/books/edition/%E5%AD%90%E4%BE%9B%E3%81%AE%E9%81%8A%E3%81%B3%E7%A9%BA%E9%96%93%E3%81%A8%E9%81%93%E5%85%B7/hplMAAAAYAAJ/

https://www.nymtc.org/portals/0/pdf/Task%206%20Final%20Report.pdf - acres, very short feature list

https://www.yonkersny.gov/876/Fitness-In-Our-Parks - fitness station

https://www.yonkersny.gov/facilities/facility/details/Cerrato-Park-22 official site

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/679387380/ - located in Southwest Yonkers

Crime in the park: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678910076/, https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/929312389/, https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/921558435/ or https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/921557185/, https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/915870569/, https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/679396823/, https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/679171213/, https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/680986363/, https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/680369518/. https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/679561606/, https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/679400686/, https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/915369263/. Police presence increase from grant improved this: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/897835347/

Chronologically:

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678335477/ - redevelopment south of Getty Square, acquiring land, said would acquire land south of Vark in 1971, implies for residential

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678726465/ - city to get $7 million from federal government for Riverview Neighborhood Development Program. Revised plans based on this switch usage of area from housing to park

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678727598/ - area changed from residential to parklands, will likely be a ballfield because new housing

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678723201/ - closing Jefferson Street - garbage dumping & Vark Park

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678630707/ - Authorizing the city manager to hire an architect to design the new Vark Park; 2-26-74; passed, 13-0.

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678733824/ - hire a landscape architect

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678605210/ - authorized discontinuance of Jefferson street, hiring of landscape architect, referred to as Vark Street Park

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678643639/ - lots of early info, temporary playground, cost, UDC Riverview Project, stalled when contractor ran out of money

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678645026/ - blocked off Jefferson street, explains exactly why UDC ran out of money, temporary park

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678630808/ - $27,500 bond ordinance for design of the new Vark Park; 7-9-74; passed, 11-1.

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678645104/ - referred to as Vark Park, $27,500 for design and surveys to be used to hire an architect, owned by CDA

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678646689/ - use as temporary park while awaiting development

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678631618/ - Recommending a name for new park on Vark Street; 8-27-74; referred to Planning Board.

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678704394/ - eventually new park to serve hundreds of children in nearby high-rise apartments

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678626756/ - Conflict on naming new Vark Street Park

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678678327/ - Dattner presents initial plan, change of plan from small ballfield -> recreational park

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678680492/ - Riverdale avenue widening

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678630889/ - Recommending that the new park on Vark Street be named Joseph A. Cerrato Park; 1-28-75; passed, 13-0.

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678630683/ - plans unveiled, treasure trove of info

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678660727/ - bidding advertisement

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678660759/ - lots of very detailed info on bids

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678682178/ - starting work in July, widening Riverdale north of park

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678682317/ - bids, money, and grants

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678690479/ - bid for building part given, includes cost. Mentions design, says Richard Dattner and Associates designed it

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678692351/ - groundbreaking ceremony plan, naming

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678694263/ - plan to break ground July 29th

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678695396/ - July 29th groundbreaking ceremony with Joseph A. Cerrato in attendance

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678655475/, https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678655538/ - political debate over motives for building park

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678631709/ - being considered by planning board

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678655363/ - November 15: planned deed of conveyance to transfer park from CDA to city

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678660887/ - update

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678665194/ - $205,000 to buy 2.3 acres (CDA) not approved due to low funds

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678685734/ - sod

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678727003/ - dedication mention

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678678602/ - dedication event with Joseph A. Cerrato in attendance

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678678689/ - mentions dedication event

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678674849/ - concrete award, mentions Dattner

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678680197/ - award, high usage

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Riverdale_Ave_Arterial_Yonkers/Cac1AQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Joseph+%22Cerrato+Park%22&pg=RA1-PA8-IA4&printsec=frontcover/ - letters: what was demolished for creation of the park, acreage, arterial Riverdale widening

https://www.newspapers.com/image/678698890/?clipping_id=131345937 - filming location

https://wmpf.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Award-Recipients-List-1974-to-2023.pdf - award

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/910812237/ - award

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678709123/ - coverage of award (with name of award)

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678709462/ - coverage of award with quote

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678709510/ - WMPF award with quote, construction complaints

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678977879/ - tensions/controversy

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678888983/ - visitation

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678976991/ - widening

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678982558/ - good shape generally, crime at Cerrato Park

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678982854/ -> https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678982895/ - controversy, price to build, maintenance, etc. Multi tier, well-lit.

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678937050/ - report from city council member mentioning complaints and programs

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678961656/ -> https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678961674/ - funds

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/679042308/ - activities, hired workers

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/679191260/ - free food

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/679393116/ - Cerrato Park Film Series

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/679390136/ - jump roping

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/679445436/ - dedication info

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/896136558/ - dedication info, name

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/896682439/ - Yonkers Summer Park and Playground Program

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/896577929/ - mentioned as city parks added

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1050995840/ - acreage, value

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/896585712/ - fountains to cool off

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/896918070/ - playing in sprinklers

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/681245101/ - mention of Yonkers Department of Parks and Recreation summer program at the park

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/905668473/ - water

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/681237452/ - new slide in 1996

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/897854500/ - Cerrato Park has "new playground"

https://hudsonvalleyregionalcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Yonkers-Cerrato-Park-GI-Web.pdf - 2011 plans

https://www.bidnetdirect.com/new-york/city-of-yonkersyonkers-public-schools/solicitations/IFB-6258-JOSEPH-CERRATO-PARK-IMPROVEMENTS-2018/0000188026/ - 2018 bids

https://www.yonkersny.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09262023-417 - contract for Kompan, Inc. to install safety surfacing and playground equipment

https://www.yonkersny.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/62 - bike racks installed

https://www.yonkersny.gov/1044/Climate-Action-Initiatives - installed shade structures

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