New Chappaqua Gazebo Gets More Visuals

Plans to build a new gazebo in downtown Chappaqua are moving along, with the architectural team behind it presenting more renderings to the New Castle Town Board at its work session.

The gazebo is proposed to be built to replace the current one at Recreation Field, next to South Greeley Avenue.

At the board's Tuesday work session, Nicolas Pouder of the Pouder Design Group, and Lucio Di Leo of Studio Rai, presented a vivid depiction of what the finished gazebo would look like: a massive, octagon-shaped structure, with a copper-roof cupola at its top and staircases to its bottom, with a stone base. It will have eight, 14-foot columns for the main part and a series of 8-foot columns for the cupola.

With there appearing to be a general consensus on the merits of the project, Town Board members examined more closely the minutiae of the plan. Specifically, questions were asked about how the gazebo's elevation would transition with its surroundings. The gazebo itself should be flush with the sidewalk on South Greeley, according to Pouder. However, when facing the other side towards the field, it should have a drop, with stairs being used to transition downward. Additionally, the railings on the gazebo are also removable and could be repositioned at other parts of the structure.

The topic of view point was raised by Councilman Robin Stout, who wanted to know if the gazebo's columns would present an issue for concert performers who would use it. Despite this, Stout said that moving forward with the gazebo, in general, is a good idea.

The type of floor material was also up for consideration. One substance, called Eurocobble, is being considered for the apron – or the transition point from the South Greeley sidewalk to the gazebo. While it was cited by Pouder is being more durable and lasting longer than other materials, it was given a much higher price estimate than either concrete or bluestone, which were also looked at. This seems to have, for now, lessened the chance that the board will support using it for the gazebo's main floor. However, Supervisor Barbara Gerrard asked the two work on the project to get more specific pricing on using materials on both the apron and the floor, whereas at the meeting price per square foot in general was talked about.

When asked in an interview about a timetable for construction, Gerrard explained that she would like to see it started and completed in the fall. The gazebo is part of a broader overhaul of its immediately surroundings, which include changing a nearby stream and adding two pedestrian bridges over it. It was discussed at the meeting that the non-gazebo landscaping could be done in phases.