By Patty George, Community Liaison, Eastchester Supervisor’s Office

Jun. 22, 2016:  The opening of the new Eastchester Public Library courtyard was announced by Eastchester Supervisor Anthony Colavita, the Eastchester Town Board, and the Eastchester Library Board of Trustees. 

The newest addition to the library will now be used for library programs, reading, and relaxing by patrons and the public. The courtyard was constructed on the north side of the library in an area that adjoins the parking lot. It is wheelchair accessible and can be accessed from the main parking lot on newly installed sidewalks. 

Supervisor Colavita remarked, “We have been discussing an outdoor space at the library for a while and now it is finally a reality. Very few libraries have a space like this one for use by patrons. It is aesthetically related to the library green in the front of the building by White Plains Road. It is also a handsome addition to the renovated Rashkoff Meeting Room, the children’s library, the new roof, and other improvements at the library.” 

Colavita continued, “This was a collaborative effort with the town board, library board, the highway department, and the recreation, parks, and grounds departments all working together to complete the job on time and under budget. Special thanks to JMA Landscaping Inc., Nick’s Electric, Globe Fence and Railing, Inc., Paladino Concrete Creations Corp., and A & J Sprinkler Systems, Inc., who were the contractors for the job outside of town personnel."  

Library director Tracy Wright said, “The reading courtyard is a lovely addition to our library. The library board of trustees and I hope that the courtyard will be enjoyed by library users for many years to come.” Library board member Joe Gresia commented, “Public libraries play such an important role in our communities. The ability to extend our library to the outside for our patrons will be a great feature.”

The courtyard also has three plum trees, which will be dedicated next week to deceased members of three town families. 

Pictured here (L to R): Library director Tracy Wright, library board members Pat Murtagh, Rosetta McArdle, and Joe Gresia, superintendent of highways Hector DiLeo, town councilman Luigi Marcoccia, Nick Camillone, Supervisor Anthony S. Colavita, Joe Arcidiacono, Mike Walters, councilmen Glenn Bellitto and Joe Dooley, parks department foreman Pat Annetta, councilwoman Theresa Nicholson, and library board member Susan Bauman. 

Photo courtesy Patty George, Community Liaison, Eastchester Supervisor’s Office