​Westchester Parks Deputy Commissioner Receives Award

ARDSLEY, NY – Peter Tartaglia, first deputy commissioner of the Westchester County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department and an Eastchester resident, received the 2021 Eastchester Green Medallion Award for his dedication and commitment to preserving the environment and promoting environmental activities.

Tartaglia has spent 38 years in public service with much of the latter focusing on conservation, overseeing user-friendly projects and initiatives including the new section of the Bronx River Pathway from Scarsdale to Hartsdale and other renewal projects throughout the conservation facilities within the parks system, according to a county spokesperson.

He played a crucial role in building the current innovative conservation division within the department by hiring a broad base of professionals in various fields who are highly capable of tackling present and future issues facing our parks including climate change, flooding, invasive species management and wildlife management. This staff also created and implemented safe, creative, educational programs and events during the pandemic both in person and on social media.

Tartaglia said he humbly accepted this award on behalf of all the professionals within the department and other departments who are instrumental in implementing our capital projects program.

"Regarding our Conservation Division, we have the best in the business," he said. "They collaborate daily to bring the reality of conservation and programming to the public while preserving our parkland."

Led by Jason Klein, the director of conservation, the team includes Taro Ietaka, who operates Mountain Lakes Park and supervises our many talented curators; Jessica Schuler, the natural resource manager and manager of Lasdon Park, Arboretum and Veterans Memorial; and Dan Aitchison, the senior curator of wildlife management.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said Tartaglia’s career in public service has touched many aspects of the parks and recreation field and has always demonstrated exemplary work.

"With his focus on conservation, he has served as a leader in the space by implementing solutions to issues that impact the community," he said. "Congratulations on an award that’s well deserved!”