North Castle Dog Park Process To Continue Without Donor

ARMONK, N.Y. – Since an anonymous donor recently backed out of funding a project to turn North Castle’s Wampus Brook Park into a dog park, the fate of the controversial project has gone into even more question.

If the recently cleared lot at Wampus Brook Park does become a dog park, it is no longer likely to happen anytime soon.
Photo Credit: *Michael Nocella*

by Michael Nocella

05/07/2013 2:00 a.m.

However, according to North Castle Town Council member Diane DiDonato-Roth—who has spearheaded the project from the beginning—the town will proceed with its plan, even if that plan has to be scaled back.

“Are we looking to continue with the dog park plan? Absolutely,” she said. “It’s really sad for the residents that the donor has been lost and now the park might not be as nice as it was going to be, but we will try to find a way to make it work.”

It’s not known exactly how much money was lost from the potential donor, as conflicting reports from both DiDonato-Roth and longtime North Castle resident Michael Ferrari have both gone on public record. Ferrari is apparently very close with the anonymous donor, and has spoke for her in a public Town Board meeting.

After DiDonato-Roth had said the donor was ready to spend $100,000 on the dog park, Ferrari responded by saying that that number was “clearly not that truth,” and that the donor’s initial donation was going to be $10,000.

But DiDonato-Roth recently told The Armonk Daily Voice that she stood by her original estimates.

“She was ready to put in all the fencing, remove all 45 tree stumps, put in an asphalt parking lot and even provide a new sidewalk,” she said. “And she was well aware of how much everything cost. It was well above $50,000.”

While it is not yet known if the town will be able to find a new donor or find room within its own budget, the concept of bringing a dog park to North Castle is still something that is being discussed.

Though, with the donor no longer involved, it now appears nothing is imminent.

“I thought the dog park would have been a nice Town amenity. Many other surrounding communities have them and they are well used,” said North Castle Town Supervisor Howard Arden.

“It was not in this year’s budget, but we had a donor. Being that the donor has changed their mind, we will send the project back to the Rec. Board and they can re-assess it as a project amongst all the other projects being reviewed. We will also continue to evaluate other potential locations,” he added.

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