The New York State Recreation and Park Society recently honored Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann with its 2020 Elected Official of the Year Award.
The honor is bestowed upon an individual who “provides exemplary support to parks and recreation and made significant contributions to the parks and recreation field through active participation, advocacy or through policy and legislation,” according to the society.
Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann, with his dogs Ollie and Livvy, and Megan Leavey and her dog Patriot, during the dedication ceremony for the town’s dog park on Sept. 21, 2018 (Photo: Town of Clarkstown)
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In nominating Hoehmann for the award, Clarkstown Parks and Recreation Superintendent Elaine Apfelbaum singled out some accomplishments during his tenure serving the town’s 85,000 residents:
- The December 2017 opening of Clarkstown’s Winter Wonderland, a new LED light display constructed through a portion of the walking trail surrounding the Congers Community Center and Congers Lake Memorial Park.
- Upgrades and renovations at the town’s aquatic facilities, including Germonds Pool in West Nyack and Lake Nanuet.
- Planning a two-phase, $6 million renovation of Street Community Center.
- Restoration and renovations at the 9-acre Traphagen property in West Nyack, which includes the 1791 Tallman-Budke House and the 1820 Vanderbilt-Budke-Traphagen House. The property was connected to Germonds Park with walking trails.
- The purchase of 4.3 acres of property owned by St. Peter’s Syro-Malankara Catholic Church with plans to develop nature trails that connect to the Long Path and integrate into the county-owned Mountainview Nature Park.
- Working with the Sisters of Marydell and the Trust for Public Land, the Village of Upper Nyack and state Parks and Recreation Office, Clarkstown invested $300,000 in February 2017 to preserve and expand Hook Mountain Park by 30 acres, extending the Long Path, and connecting it with the Hudson River Valley Greenway at Nyack Beach State Park.
- In 2018, the town installed a new playground at Kings Park in Valley Cottage with safety surface and adult exercise equipment.
- In 2018, the town dedicated its first dog park in honor of Marine Cpl. Megan Leavey, a Purple Heart recipient, and Sgt. Rex and Clarkstown Police K-9s.
Hoehmann, who was elected supervisor in November 2015 and re-elected in 2017 and 2019, previously served as a town council member from 2009-2015.
“Clarkstown has long been known for its exceptional parks system and programs and I’m delighted that we’re being recognized for all the enhancements that we’ve done over the last five years,” he said.
The New York State Recreation and Park Society, founded in 1940, advances the value of parks, recreation, and leisure services through professional development for its members and citizen engagement.
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