Last fall, while bicycling on the South County trail, I took photo's of graffiti on the bike path. I also took some photo's of graffiti at other locations along the Bronx River Parkway bike path. I suggested that a graffiti busters initiative be organized - with volunteers helping to remove graffiti from our parks and along bike paths. I am pleased to advise that the Westchester Parks Foundation is now in the process of organizing a graffiti busters program. They will supply the paint and graffiti removal materials. The volunteers would remove the graffiti and advise the foundation of the work they did. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Sarah Cavanaugh, volunteer coordinator for the foundation at 231-4530. This is great news. PAUL FEINER from: Sara Cavanaugh <sara@thewpf.org> Hi Paul, We are in the beginning stages of recruiting people for the graffiti volunteer squad. When we met a few months ago you had mentioned that you knew some people that might be interested. Would you kindly pass along my information to them? We are excited to get this program up and running! Thanks, Sara Sara Cavanaugh Volunteer Coordinator The Westchester Parks Foundation (Formerly Friends of Westchester County Parks) (914) 231-4530 GRAFFITI ON S COUNTY PATH
Sent: Wednesday, July 6, 2016 2:14 PM
To: Paul Feiner
Cc: Joseph Stout
Subject: Graffiti Squad
GRAFFITI BUSTERS NEEDED TO REMOVE GRAFFITI FROM SOUTH COUNTY BIKE TRAIL
PHOTOS ATTACHED OF SOME OF THE GRAFFITI SEEN ALONG THE COUNTY PATH
GRAFFITI ON SOUTH COUNTY TRAIL GIVES CYCLISTS A POOR IMPRESSION OF THE COUNTY
On November 27th I bicycled on the South County bike path and was very upset to see all the graffiti--especially from the Executive Blvd section to the Yonkers/Bronx line. I am enclosing three photo's --representing some of the graffiti that I saw on bridges, trees, rocks along the path. The path is beautiful. The graffiti is a county wide embarrassment.
Obviously, the graffiti leaves cyclists with a poor impression of the county. It's a reminder of the graffiti on the NYC subways when NYC was in decline.
I have written to the county in the past requesting that graffiti on the South County bike path be removed. In the past the county has been responsive. However, graffiti vandals come right back and deface property again and again.
I have a suggestion. The county should form a citizens group of graffiti busters. These volunteers should conduct periodic inspectors and be trained and authorized to remove the graffiti or to cover it up with paint. All the county would have to do is supply the volunteers with graffi remover and ask for an accounting of the work that is done. It won't be very expensive but will make a very positive experience for cyclists and walkers/runners who enjoy the path.
Paul Feiner