The Town of Rye is pleased to announce that it will become one of Westchester’s inaugural American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA)and Quiet Communities, Inc. (QCi) Certified Green Zone at a ceremony taking place at Crawford Park on November 16, 2021.
Following the ceremony and ribbon cutting, the Town will host a Field Day featuring demonstrations of commercial-grade sustainable landscaping equipment hosted by green maintenance experts. Municipal officials, parks and public works departments, sustainability leaders and committees, school districts, large campus facilities, property owners and developers are encouraged to attend.
As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability and environmental awareness, The Town or Rye has embarked upon a wide array of environmental initiatives. In 2020, the Town was named an official Tree City USA® community by the Arbor Day Foundation; the municipality is currently working towards its Clean Energy Community’s Bronze Certification.
An important aspect in achieving climate-smart community status, the Town adopted100% Sustainable landscaping practices at Crawford Park, which includes acquiring and using a complete fleet of electric landscaping equipment. The facilities team at Crawford Park, who are working in conjunction with Sustainable Westchester, AGZA and QCi, exemplify that local landscapes can be beautifully maintained without the use of fossil fuel-powered equipment.
Town Supervisor Gary Zuckerman said, “The Town of Rye, led by our Director of Grounds and Facilities Vic Federico, and Town Administrator Debbie Reisner, working in tandem with our action-oriented Sustainability Committee, realize the importance of achieving a robust, renewable platform that does not rely on fossil fuel usage.” He continues, “You’ll see signs of that commitment throughout the Town: the green fleet that maintains Crawford, the electric charging stations provided for community use, our work with Sustainable Westchester to encourage residents to sign up for programs like Grid Rewards and Community Solar, both of which help our neighbors lessen our collective carbon footprint.”
Town administrator Debbie Reisner adds, “We’re proud to receive official Green Zone certification from AGZA and will continue to embrace renewable energy leadership to benefit our constituents, and our local ecosystem.”
Speakers at the November 16 ceremony will include
Supervisor Zuckerman, CountyExecutive George Latimer, County Legislator Nancy Barr, Peter McCartt (Director of Energy Conservation & Sustainability, Westchester County), Rick McCoy (Regional Director of the American Green Zone Alliance) and Jamie Banks (Founder of Quiet Communities, Inc.).
WHEN: Tuesday,November 16, 2021
10am – 1pm
Ribbon Cutting ceremony and refreshments: 10 – 11 am
Field Day activities: 11 am – 1 pm
WHERE: Crawford Park
122 North Ridge Street, Rye Brook NY 10573
Rye Town Office
222 Grace Church Street, 3rd Floor
Port Chester, NY 10573
