Grand Opening - New Pool Bathhouse at FDR State Park

Officials today celebrated the grand opening of the new $3.6 million entrance plaza at Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park, which includes a completely revitalized bathhouse facility and welcome area for the park’s acre-size pool.

The project is part of a larger initiative to rehabilitate and modernize the state park system adopted in this year’s state budget.

“Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park offers some of the best summer recreation opportunities and through the NY Parks 2020 program, we are making them better than ever,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a prepared statement. “I am proud to see the progress at this park move forward and I encourage visitors to take advantage of all that Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park has to offer this summer.”

The pool, open daily from late June through Labor Day, can hold up to 3,500 visitors at a time and is one of the major attractions of FDR State Park. The adjacent bathhouse facility, with restrooms, showers, and changing areas, had not been modernized since its construction in 1965.

“From the banks of the Hudson to Long Island Sound, Westchester County is home to immense natural beauty,” said Congresswoman Lowey. “I’m pleased that $1.8 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund helped revitalize the entry plaza at FDR State Park. Unfortunately, federal investments in parks and the environment are under attack in Washington. As the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, I will continue fighting for funding that conserves irreplaceable lands and improves outdoor recreation for residents of the Lower Hudson Valley.”

The renovation features:

• Completely renovated bathhouse interior - including the addition of four new family restrooms, new epoxy finishes on floors and walls, as well as new lighting, ceiling fans, lockers and benches - provides a more comfortable experience for park visitors;
• Newly installed heavy timber roof structure protects the bathhouse and its occupants from the elements;
• Solar thermal hot water supply, which allows direct sunlight to heat the water stored and used in the building; water-saving plumbing fixtures and energy-efficient LED lights make the facility more environmentally sustainable; and
• Tall masonry walls around the bathhouse complex that obstructed the park’s scenic, natural backdrops were demolished to open attractive vistas of Mohansic Lake to pool visitors.

Outside the bathhouse, the garden-like entrance plaza features a welcome station, complete with new site furnishings and native plants and trees. Innovative storm water management practices, which include a filtering rain garden and pervious pavers in its plaza and walkways, build on last year’s project to improve drainage and reduce storm water run-off.

“FDR Park provides both our local residents and visitors a wonderful Hudson Valley experience,” said state Sen. Terrence Murphy. “This multi-million dollar renovation will not only add more comfort to the different activities offered here, but highlights New York’s embrace of green energy initiatives, such as the solar thermal hot water supply which was installed as part of this project.”

A 2014 partnership between State Parks and the Department of Transportation installed approximately 27,000 square feet of bio-retention basins to remove pollutants from storm water, allowing cleaner water flow into Mohansic Lake and effectively reduce phosphorous in the New York City watershed.

Assemblyman Steve Katz said: “The revitalization of Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park will bring an excellent economic opportunity for the Yorktown Community. The improved facilities at FDR will provide a safe and fun environment for all patrons who enjoy the outdoors. I look forward to seeing all future developments the Governor’s administration has to better enhance state parks across the Hudson Valley and New York State.”

Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park, located in Yorktown Heights, is a popular destination for swimming, picnicking, disc golf, jogging, fishing, non-motorized boating and other forms of outdoor recreation. The 2015-16 state budget allocates $110 million toward improving and expanding access to outdoor recreation.

PHOTO: Congresswoman Nita Lowey’s Office