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Joseph A. Cerrato Park
Joseph A. Cerrato Park
Location	Yonkers, NY, United States
Coordinates	40°55′42.2″N 73°54′1.1″W / 40.928389°N 73.900306°W
Area	2.3 acres (0.93 ha)
Opened	1976
Designer	Richard Dattner and Associates
Operated by	Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation
Construction cost	$1.6 million ($8.84 million in 2024)
Website	Official website

Cerrato Park, officially Joseph A. Cerrato Park, is a 2.3-acre (0.93 ha) urban park in Yonkers, New York, United States. Designed by Richard Dattner and Associates and constructed by Park Hill Construction Co.,

Description

Cerrato Park is located in southwest Yonkers near the city's central business district.^[1]^[2] Covering 2.3 acres (0.93 ha), the park is bounded by Vark Street, Jackson Street, Herriot Street, and Riverdale Avenue.^[3] <who the park serves>

The park is divided into several recreational areas with distinct uses, split by two diagonal pathways which promote movement through the park to allow it to remain safe. At their intersection are two concrete amphitheaters: the northern can function as a stage, while southern features fountains set into its steps for use as a spray pool. In the center of the park, water from a play fountain on the park's upper level flows through a channel and drains at the lower tier. The southwest corner of the park features playground equipment designed for younger children, set on mulch playground surfacing. The northwest corner is designed for older children, having basketball and handball courts. The eastern half of the park consists primarily of passive space, with open grassy areas for activities such as sitting or playing games.^[2]^[3]^[4]

History

In 1970, the Yonkers Urban Renewal Agency stated that as part of urban renewal plans, they would acquire land between Jackson Terrace and Phillipse Towers the following year.^[5] After receiving commitment to a $7 million ($49.6 million in 2024) grant from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for Yonkers's Riverview Neighborhood Development Program in 1973, the city modified its urban renewal plans, including changing the planned use for the land between Jackson Terrace and Phillipse Towers from residential to parkland.^[6] Then Yonkers Planning Director Philip R. Pistone stated that the space would likely be used to construct a ballfield, serving the residents of new housing nearby.^[7]

On February 27, 1974, the Yonkers City Council approved the city manager to hire an engineering and design consultant for the park at an estimated cost of $27,500 ($175,336 in 2024). The Council also authorized the closure the section of Jefferson Street between Vark Street and Herriot Street to clear space for the new park.

References

^ Solomon, J.D.; David, Will (May 5, 1982). "Girl, 12, an innocent victim of Spring Offensive". Retrieved August 14, 2025.
^ ^a ^b Senda, Mitsuru; Ichinowatari, Katsuhiko (1982). Playgrounds and play apparatus. Process Architecture Publishing Company. p. 94. ISBN 1338409689.
^ ^a ^b Schmitz, Katie (March 24, 1975). "Cerrato Park plans unveiled". The Herald Statesman. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
^ "Cerrato Park". Yonkers, NY. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
^ Dowson, Sarah (October 23, 1970). "Advisory Committee Urges More Speed". The Herald Statesman. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
^ Tritten, Jennie (May 25, 1973). "City to get $7 million from U.S." The Herald Statesman. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
^ Tritten, Jennie (May 30, 1973). "It's Council's move on Riverview development". The Herald Statesman. Retrieved August 17, 2025.

Temporary source list:

https://www.google.com/books/edition/%E5%AD%90%E4%BE%9B%E3%81%AE%E9%81%8A%E3%81%B3%E7%A9%BA%E9%96%93%E3%81%A8%E9%81%93%E5%85%B7/hplMAAAAYAAJ/

https://www.nymtc.org/portals/0/pdf/Task%206%20Final%20Report.pdf - acres, very short feature list

https://www.yonkersny.gov/876/Fitness-In-Our-Parks - fitness station

https://www.yonkersny.gov/facilities/facility/details/Cerrato-Park-22 official site

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/679387380/ - located in Southwest Yonkers

Chronologically:

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678335477/ - redevelopment south of Getty Square, acquiring land, said would acquire land south of Vark in 1971, implies for residential

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678726465/ - city to get $7 million from federal government for Riverview Neighborhood Development Program. Revised plans based on this switch usage of area from housing to park

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678727598/ - area changed from residential to parklands, will likely be a ballfield because new housing

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678723201/ - closing Jefferson Street - garbage dumping & Vark Park

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678630707/ - Authorizing the city manager to hire an architect to design the new Vark Park; 2-26-74; passed, 13-0.

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678733824/ - hire a landscape architect

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678605210/ - authorized discontinuance of Jefferson street, hiring of landscape architect, referred to as Vark Street Park

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678643639/ - lots of early info, temporary playground, cost, UDC Riverview Project, stalled when contractor ran out of money

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678645026/ - blocked off Jefferson street, explains exactly why UDC ran out of money, temporary park

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678630808/ - $27,500 bond ordinance for design of the new Vark Park; 7-9-74; passed, 11-1.

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678645104/ - referred to as Vark Park, $27,500 for design and surveys to be used to hire an architect, owned by CDA

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678646689/ - use as temporary park while awaiting development

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678631618/ - Recommending a name for new park on Vark Street; 8-27-74; referred to Planning Board.

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678704394/ - eventually new park to serve hundreds of children in nearby high-rise apartments

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678626756/ - Conflict on naming new Vark Street Park

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678678327/ - Dattner presents initial plan, change of plan from small ballfield -> recreational park

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678680492/ - Riverdale avenue widening

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678630889/ - Recommending that the new park on Vark Street be named Joseph A. Cerrato Park; 1-28-75; passed, 13-0.

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678630683/ - plans unveiled, treasure trove of info

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678660727/ - bidding advertisement

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678660759/ - lots of very detailed info on bids

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678682178/ - starting work in July, widening Riverdale north of park

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678682317/ - bids, money, and grants

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678690479/ - bid for building part given, includes cost. Mentions design, says Richard Dattner and Associates designed it

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678692351/ - groundbreaking ceremony plan, naming

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678694263/ - plan to break ground July 29th

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678695396/ - July 29th groundbreaking ceremony with Joseph A. Cerrato in attendance

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678655475/, https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678655538/ - political debate over motives for building park

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678631709/ - being considered by planning board

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678660887/ - update

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678665194/ - $205,000 to buy 2.3 acres (CDA) not approved due to low funds

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678685734/ - sod

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678727003/ - dedication mention

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678678602/ - dedication event with Joseph A. Cerrato in attendance

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678678689/ - mentions dedication event

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678674849/ - concrete award, mentions Dattner

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678680197/ - award, high usage

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Riverdale_Ave_Arterial_Yonkers/Cac1AQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Joseph+%22Cerrato+Park%22&pg=RA1-PA8-IA4&printsec=frontcover/ - letters: what was demolished for creation of the park, acreage, arterial Riverdale widening

https://www.newspapers.com/image/678698890/?clipping_id=131345937 - filming ___location

https://wmpf.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Award-Recipients-List-1974-to-2023.pdf - award

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/910812237/ - award

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678709123/ - coverage of award (with name of award)

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678709462/ - coverage of award with quote

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678709510/ - WMPF award with quote, construction complaints

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678977879/ - tensions/controversy

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678888983/ - visitation

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678976991/ - widening

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678982558/ - good shape generally, crime at Cerrato Park

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678982854/ -> https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678982895/ - controversy, price to build, maintenance, etc. Multi tier, well-lit.

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678937050/ - report from city council member mentioning complaints and programs

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678961656/ -> https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678961674/ - funds

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/679042308/ - activities, hired workers

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/679191260/ - free food

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/679393116/ - Cerrato Park Film Series

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/679390136/ - jump roping

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/679445436/ - dedication info

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/896136558/ - dedication info, name

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/896682439/ - Yonkers Summer Park and Playground Program

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/896577929/ - mentioned as city parks added

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1050995840/ - acreage, value

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/896585712/ - fountains to cool off

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/896918070/ - playing in sprinklers

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/681245101/ - mention of Yonkers Department of Parks and Recreation summer program at the park

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/905668473/ - water

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/681237452/ - new slide in 1996

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/897854500/ - Cerrato Park has "new playground"

https://hudsonvalleyregionalcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Yonkers-Cerrato-Park-GI-Web.pdf - 2011 plans

https://www.bidnetdirect.com/new-york/city-of-yonkersyonkers-public-schools/solicitations/IFB-6258-JOSEPH-CERRATO-PARK-IMPROVEMENTS-2018/0000188026/ - 2018 bids

https://www.yonkersny.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09262023-417 - contract for Kompan, Inc. to install safety surfacing and playground equipment

https://www.yonkersny.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/62 - bike racks installed

https://www.yonkersny.gov/1044/Climate-Action-Initiatives - installed shade structures

[1] Solomon, J.D.; David, Will (May 5, 1982). "Girl, 12, an innocent victim of Spring Offensive". Retrieved August 14, 2025.

[book-2] Senda, Mitsuru; Ichinowatari, Katsuhiko (1982). Playgrounds and play apparatus. Process Architecture Publishing Company. p. 94. ISBN 1338409689.

[plans_unveiled-3] Schmitz, Katie (March 24, 1975). "Cerrato Park plans unveiled". The Herald Statesman. Retrieved August 14, 2025.

[website-4] "Cerrato Park". Yonkers, NY. Retrieved August 15, 2025.

[5] Dowson, Sarah (October 23, 1970). "Advisory Committee Urges More Speed". The Herald Statesman. Retrieved August 17, 2025.

[6] Tritten, Jennie (May 25, 1973). "City to get $7 million from U.S." The Herald Statesman. Retrieved August 17, 2025.

[7] Tritten, Jennie (May 30, 1973). "It's Council's move on Riverview development". The Herald Statesman. Retrieved August 17, 2025.

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