Rye Town Park (RTP) has secured $8.1 million in funding for sustainability projects in the park. The money is part of $61 million in Green Resiliency Grant (GRG) funding to advance eight transformative stormwater infrastructure projects across New York State. The funds are from the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act. All recipient projects will use nature-based solutions to better manage stormwater, reduce pressure on wastewater systems, and protect neighborhoods from the increasingly severe effects of storms. The program launched in 2024 as a Governor’s State of the State initiative, with $60 million awarded in the inaugural round. The grants are administered through the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC).
The Rye Town Park Sustainability Project, which includes porous pavement, bioretention, rain barrels, stream daylighting, and drainage enhancements, will help alleviate flooding and erosion while creating a safer, more sustainable park and beach along Long Island Sound. Last summer Oakland Beach at Rye Town Park (one of only five publicly accessible beaches along the Westchester shoreline) received a “D+” in the biennial beach report issued by local environmental group Save the Sound. One of the causes of poor water quality is non-point source surface water run off. In plain English, that means nasty stuff from the parking lot and fecal matter from geese and other animals.
Rye Town Supervisor Gary Zuckerman said, “I want to thank Governor Hochul for her continued partnership and commitment to strengthening our local infrastructure. This $8.1 million investment through the Environmental Bond Act for the Rye Town Park Sustainability Project will help us combat flooding, enhance our community’s climate resiliency, and help protect our precious Sound Shore. This kind of alliance between State and Town governments is making possible smart, sustainable investments. Together, we will protect our residents and our environment for generations to come.”
“Too many communities have experienced the devastation of severe flooding, and that’s why we’re investing in resiliency initiatives to protect vulnerable areas and make our state stronger and more resilient,” Governor Hochul said. “We’re investing where it matters — not just reacting to the next storm, but preparing for it — protecting families and businesses in the process.”
Westchester County Exec Ken Jenkins said, “We are deeply grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul for her leadership and continued commitment to Westchester County’s flood-prone areas. Flooding has become a persistent problem—one that grows worse every year as we experience the regular occurrence of so-called ‘100-year storms.’ Our communities have been hit hard by repeated flooding, and this $61 million investment across New York State — including $4.4 million for Mount Vernon and $8.1 million for Rye — will make a real difference in protecting our residents, strengthening our infrastructure, and helping us build greater resilience for the future.”
