Friends of Crawford Park's Blog

Members Present:
Theresa Stevens, Steve Pshierer, Kay Schafer, Sue Yockelson, Eleanor Herman, Carol Selinski, Vicky Van Wert, Bishop Notownik

Review Minutes:
November’s Meeting Minutes were reviewed and accepted as is.

Town of Rye Report:
The floors of the mansion are currently being renovated.

The Town of Rye reported that there was $35,000 less revenue generated from park rentals this year. Bishop believes this has to do with the elimination of Sunday night party rentals and the fact that the new alcohol policy might be chasing people away.

The new stairwell is in final plans and construction for this project, which is est. to cost around $75K, will begin in April or May.

GPS, the new contracted landscape company, seems to be doing a fair job, according to Bishop. Laura mentioned tire tracks on the grass and the sloppy seeding project they did in the fall. Theresa suggested that they start a leaf compost pile in the park, behind the wildflower garden. Bishop said they were n0t in a position to maintain such an endeavor.

There are 8 applications for the caretaker position and Steve Pshierer, is one candidate who came to the meeting. A decision will be made April 1st. Carol suggested that the candidate be more personable than the last caretaker.

The non-profit usage policy is still on the table for the Town of Rye and Bishop is going to recommend that the Friends of Crawford Park be exempt from having to pay to use the mansion.

Bishop reported that they plan to redo, recut, reclay the ball field in the spring.

Financial Report:
Sue hasn’t received the December statement yet but as of November we had:

$6,401.79 in checking
$5,151.35 in CD
$11,553.14 in total.

The renewal letter sent out in December collected $4,700.00 in donations with $3000 coming from one individual, her company and her dogs.

Last year, we collected $19,886.96 in donations and we spent $24,816.

Membership and Fundraising 

We need to come up with a tentative date for Shakespeare in the park and to see if both the park and Gillian (the director/producer) is available. The group decided on July 14th or the 21st as possible dates and are waiting to hear back from Bishop and Gillian.

Once we have a date we need to create marketing material that is separate from the race and go after to distinct groups of sponsors for the play and the run, which is scheduled for September 30th.

Bishop suggested getting in front of the Town of Rye Board twice this year to promote what we are doing in the park to the community.  The months of May and September were suggested.

It was also suggested that we list our donors in the next newsletter. This would add community and possibly get more donors on board.

Bishop also suggested creating certificates for sponsor and donors of raffle prizes instead of thank you cards.

Horticultural Committee

A new tree was donated by Weichert Realty in Rye. This will be a dogwood to be planted in the spring.  Eleanor suggested that we update the list of trees on  our website: http://www.friendsofcrawfordpark.org/tree.htm

We have a horticultural planning meeting scheduled for Wednesday, January 25th at 1pm at Eleanor’s House.  All members are welcome to come and give input on what they would like to see planted this year. Bishop suggested enhancing the entrances of the park – the Wilton Road and Betsy Brown pedestrian entrances as well as Lincoln Ave entrance.  It was noted that watering in those areas would be an issue.

Other Business

The Rye Brook Cub Scouts want to acknowledge the Friends of Crawford Park and their contribution to the community at the Annual Blue and Gold Banquet. Any member is welcome and ENCOURAGED to come a short award ceremony  on Friday, Feb 10th at 6pm.  Theresa and Kay are going to try to make it.

We reviewed the photo note cards Laura researched and decided to see if there was a printable card format available at Staples. The group would rather have the ability to type out a letter than hand write one.

Theresa suggested having a photo contest with different prizes for certain categories.  The group liked the idea. And we could use them to update website and use in the newsletter.

Theresa also showed the group a CAD-like rendering she did for class using her new software. She suggested using the same software to map the trees and shrubs in the park.  Bishop really liked the idea.

NEXT MEETING IS FEBRUARY 15th | 8pm | Crawford Mansion.  Please come

MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 16, 2011

Members Present: Bishop Nowotnik, Anthony Loizzo, Eleanor Herman, Kay Schafer, Sue Yockelson, Carol Selinske, Sandy Marshall

REVIEW OF PURPOSE:
Our mission is to preserve and beautify the Park.

OCTOBER MINUTES were reviewed and passed.

FINANCIAL REPORT given by Susan Yockelson
CD value $ 5,151.35 as of end of September (FCP voted to renew for another 6 mos.)
Checking Account balance $2,435.46 (Many check were sent out in Nov. to
cover Shakespeare, Race, Planting of the Trees, bulbs etc.)

HORTICULTURAL REPORT-
ANTHONY’S PROGRESS IN PARK & FUTURE PLANS:

A rose bush was donated and will be planted in the Spring. Anthony
suggested that the Rose bush be put on a schedule for fertilization and care.

Anthony stated that he has worked for FCP for the last 5-6 years. He
has taken care of the Sunken Garden, the Shade Garden, and the Sunset Site. In addition, we have asked him to now do the front of the Mansion. He stated that the amount charged will go from $400 to $500 for the months of March thru November of next year. We agreed to this arrangement.

He also stated that he would like to be notified about large project, so that he could bid on them.

Laura suggested that we have a single point of contact with Anthony.

TOWN OF RYE REPORT – Bishop Nowotnik

The staff will water the new plants once a week if it does not rain.
However, if any should die due to lack of water then the Town will replace. We lost less than 5 trees after the snow storm, most of the damage was done to branches.

Two neighbors from Jennifer Lane notified us that some of the trees need
to be replaced. They are very close to the wall and some are not healthy.

Next year, Bishop, would like a deep root fertilization project which
would cost around $3,000. The project would be equally divided between the Town and FCP.

The caretakers cottage will be empty by Nov. 28th. The last caretaker
worked 20 hours per week.

The new contractor needs more time before we can judge how well they are working out. The last mowing of the season was done last weekend, now the
leaves need blowing and taken away.

The Crawford Family visit went well. They stated that our Mansion was
designed by Stanford-White.

It is planned that next year the outside of the house will be painted and the gutters fixed and replaced. The upstairs needs painting and the floors need
refinishing.

Bishop suggested that we raise our visibility to the Town Council. We should
give a presentation in the early Spring and in the Fall.

MEMBERSHIP & FUNDRAISING:

A membership renewal letter will be going out soon. It will be on plain
white paper. Carol, Laura and Sandy volunteered for the mailing.

Next year’s Race will be set for September 30th. Laura will notify the Road
Runners to put it on their Calendar.

We have had other inquiries regarding the landscaping presently done by Anthony. They are interested in doing the work and giving us an estimate.
We have decided to continue with Anthony for next year.

Eleanor stated that Cornell will be offering a class in the care of Roses, April 18th, 10:00, at the Chappaqua Library.

FCP GOALS FOR NEXT YEAR (Laura & Eleanor)
1. Create Plan for plantings around stockade fencing
2. Evasive Vines
3. Map of the Park
4. Gateway Area

Rye Brook Pack 3 of the Boy Scouts will honor the FCP at the Bold and
Gold Banquet to be held in February.

The FCP Calendar will be set for every third Wednesday of the month for
2012.

NEXT MEETING DATE: Jan 18th, 2012 – 8:00 p.m. – Crawford Park Mansion !!!!!PLEASE ATTEND!!!!!!