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WESTCHESTER PARKS FOUNDATION INC
MOUNT KISCO, NY · EIN 132937499 · Form 990 · FY2024 · Medium ($1M-$10M) · thewpf.org
revenue
$4.3M
expenses
$4.4M
net assets
$2.8M
employees
112
volunteers
2,980
program ratio
76%
mission · from form 990

TO SUPPORT, INVEST IN, AND PROMOTE THE PARKS WITHIN THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY PARK SYSTEM.

profile · synthesized from sources

Westchester Parks Foundation supports and promotes parks within the Westcheaster County Park System through direct programming, volunteer mobilization, and public events. The organization operates recreational facilities and hosts seasonal events such as Winter Wonderland, a drive-thru holiday lights display, and organizes large-scale volunteer initiatives including Pitch In For Parks and the Bronx River Blitz. It partners with the Westchester County Parks Department and other local entities to maintain and enhance public green spaces.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $687K
    WINTER WONDERLANDWESTCHESTER'S WINTER WONDERLAND DRIVE-THRU HOLIDAY LIGHT EXTRAVAGANZA CONTINUES TO BE A CHERISHED AND MEMORABLE HOLIDAY TRADITION, NOW IN ITS INCREDIBLE ELEVENTH SEASON IN 2024! IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WESTCHESTER COUNTY PARKS, RECREATION, AND CONSERVATION, AND MADE POSSIBLE BY FOUNDING SPONSOR WESTCHESTER MEDICAL CENTER, WESTCHESTER PARKS FOUNDATION CONTINUED TO HOST A HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE THE WHOLE FAMILY COULD ENJOY. OVER 120,000 PEOPLE WERE DAZZLED AND DELIGHTED WITH 1.2 MILES OF HOLIDAY LIGHTS, WITH NEW LARGER THAN LIFE DISPLAYS, AND A VISIT WITH SANTA IN HIS NORTH POLE SNOW GLOBE, WITH ALL OF THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
  2. #2 $495K
    DRIVING RANGESWESTCHESTER PARKS FOUNDATION (WPF) OPERATES TWO DRIVING RANGES, ONE AT MOHANSIC IN YORKTOWN AND ONE AT DUNWOODIE IN YONKERS. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION, WPF ENCOURAGES THE USE OF WESTCHESTER'S COUNTY PARKS, OF WHICH THESE DRIVING RANGES ARE PART, AND THE PROCEEDS COLLECTED AT THE RANGES ARE USED IN WPF'S PROGRAMS AND INVESTMENTS IN SUPPORT OF THE PARK SYSTEM, INCLUDING OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM AND MANY SPECIAL PROJECTS AND INVESTMENTS.
named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

Bronx River Blitz
Annual large-scale cleanup event focused on the Bronx River Pathway, where volunteers collect litter along the trail to improve park conditions
Driving Ranges
Public golf driving ranges operated by WPF at Mohansic in Yorktown and Dunwoodie in Yonkers, with proceeds supporting park programs and investments
Pitch In For Parks
County-wide volunteer program held each April around Earth Day, involving park cleanups, gardening, tree planting, and infrastructure improvements across multiple Westchester County parks
Winter Wonderland
Drive-thru holiday lights display held annually at a Westchester County park, featuring 1.2 miles of light displays and visits with Santa, attracting over 120,000 attendees
activities · 9 groups

What they do

  • Urban Park and Public Space Conservation 3 activities
    • Implementing park sustainability and infrastructure improvements
      Installs solar thermal and solar power systems, rain gardens for stormwater management, fitness trails, boardwalks, and color-coded trail markers; also donates equipment for landscaping and humane wildlife management to improve park infrastructure and environmental sustainability.
    • Investing in and enhancing Westchester County parks
      Invests in, advocates for, and enhances more than 50 parks in the Westchester County Parks system through infrastructure improvements, park enhancements, and stewardship of endowment funds such as for the 9/11 Memorial "The Rising" at Kensico Dam Plaza.
    • Supporting historic park restoration and facility development
      Facilitates donations and funds capital projects such as the restoration of the 1926 Kingsland Point Park bathhouse into the Kathryn W. Davis RiverWalk Center and the construction of a new activity pavilion at Sal J. Prezioso Park through grant funding.
  • Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
    • Developing educational and interpretive park programs
      Creates and manages public programs including a 26-stop audio tour of the Bronx River Reservation narrated by Dan Rather and a 14-stop audio tour of Cranberry Lake Preserve, as well as educational initiatives that bring together community members to learn about parks and nature.
  • Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
    • Hosting large-scale public events
      Hosts a drive-thru holiday light experience annually attracting over 120,000 attendees, featuring 1.2 miles of lights and safe Santa visits from vehicles, alongside an annual gala to raise funds for park preservation and enhancement.
  • Summer Day Camp Programs 1 activity
    • Operating youth summer camp programs
      Operates Camp Morty and its extension Merriwood, providing two-week summer camp experiences for thousands of children and underserved teens annually, including those in foster care or experiencing homelessness, with programming focused on outdoor engagement, personal development, and future preparation.
  • Community Stewardship Volunteer Programs 1 activity
    • Organizing community volunteer engagement programs
      Organizes annual volunteer events such as Pitch In For Parks each April and ongoing service projects, engaging over 32,000 community members since 2015 who have contributed 97,000 hours to park cleanups, reforestation, trail maintenance, and infrastructure projects like picnic table construction.
  • Youth Cycling Education and Access Programs 1 activity
    • Organizing recurring community recreation events
      Organizes and preserves Bicycle Sundays, a recurring event that opens a 13.1-mile stretch of the Bronx River Parkway to walkers, bikers, and joggers without vehicular traffic.
  • Adaptive Sports Programs 1 activity
    • Providing inclusive outdoor recreation access
      Provides free access to All-Terrain Trackchairs for individuals with physical disabilities, offering guided hikes on trails across Westchester County Parks from March to November, and hosts adaptive cycling events at Kensico Dam Park in partnership with Achilles International.
  • Nonprofit Capacity Building Services 1 activity
    • Supporting professional development for park staff
      Supports professional development for staff of the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation to improve service quality and operational capacity.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Operating and maintaining public golf driving ranges
      Operates two public golf driving ranges—Dunwoodie in Yonkers and Mohansic in Yorktown—seven days a week during peak seasons, with covered hitting areas and lighting for night play, generating revenue to support park programs.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$4.27M
Contributions & grants$2.48M58%
Program service revenue$1.65M39%
Investment income$68K2%
Other revenue$64K
expenses
Total expenses$4.39M
Program expenses76%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising9%
Salaries & benefits$1.97M
Grants paid out$758K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$4.54M
Cash$904K
Investments$860K
Liabilities$1.70M
Net assets$2.83M
Liquid reserves4.8 mo
3 years on record · 2021–2024 · YoY revenue +15.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
CHRISTINE LA PORTA CFO DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 $160K
board members · 23
  • ANTHONY F RIZZUTO — TRUSTEE
  • APRIL HORTON — TRUSTEE
  • CAROLYN MORIARTY — TRUSTEE
  • CHRISTINA LANGE — TRUSTEE
  • CHRISTOPHER L CAWLEY — TRUSTEE
  • DOROTHY PLECHATY — TRUSTEE
  • ELIZABETH BRACKEN-THOMPSON — TRUSTEE
  • ERICA CHILD — TRUSTEE
  • GLENN PACCHIANA — TRUSTEE
  • J HENRY NEALE JR — TRUSTEE
  • JAN JOHNSEN — TRUSTEE
  • JANE SOLNICK — VICE CHAIRPERSON
  • JOHN P SULLIVAN — TRUSTEE
  • JOSEPH GRAZIOSE — TRUSTEE
  • JOSEPH V APICELLA — TRUSTEE
  • KEITH R BETENSKY — TRUSTEE
  • LARRY WILSON — TRUSTEE
  • MARC J BERMAN — TRUSTEE
  • MARK S TULIS — TREASURER
  • MARTIN A KAMARCK — SECRETARY
  • MICHAEL N ROMITA — TRUSTEE
  • NANETTE BOURNE — TRUSTEE
  • SETH MANDELBAUM — CHAIRPERSON
relationships · 54

Who they work with

  • Achilles International Partner — Collaborates with Westchester Parks Foundation to host adaptive cycling events at Kensico Dam Park.
  • Berkshire Hathaway Home Services – New York Properties Partner — Co-chair organization for the 2026 Gala.
  • Burke Partner — Member of the Community Business Circle, supporting the Westchester Parks Foundation.
  • Business Council of Westchester Partner — Event captain organization for the Business Impact Award at the 2026 Gala.
  • Cappelli Organization Partner — Event captain organization for the 2026 Gala.
  • Coffee Labs Partner — Member of the Community Business Circle, supporting the Westchester Parks Foundation.
  • Con Edison Partner — Partnered with WPF on the Trail Promotion and Environmental Awareness program to display trail maps and information at multiple county parks.
  • Con Edison Partner — Presenting sponsor of the Bicycle Sundays program.
  • Cranberry Lake Preserve Partner — Collaborates on the restoration and maintenance of the boardwalk at this historic natural area.
  • D & M Partner — Member of the Community Business Circle, supporting the Westchester Parks Foundation.
  • DTS Provident Partner — Member of the Community Business Circle, supporting the Westchester Parks Foundation.
  • Dalkia Solutions Partner — Co-chair organization for the 2026 Gala.
  • Department of Community Mental Health Partner — Collaborates with Westchester Parks Foundation in operating Camp Morty.
  • Department of Social Services Partner — Partners with Westchester Parks Foundation to operate Camp Morty and determine eligibility for campers.
  • Entergy Partner — Partnered with WPF in 2013 to install Westchester County’s first solar thermal hot water system at Croton Point Park.
  • Gianfia Partner — Member of the Community Business Circle, supporting the Westchester Parks Foundation.
  • Gym-Tech Fitness Partner — Member of the Community Business Circle, supporting the Westchester Parks Foundation.
  • Hutchinson River Restoration Project Partner — Partners on a winter cleanup program at Twin Lakes Park to manage invasive vegetation.
  • Impact100 Funder — Provided a $90,000 grant to Westchester Parks Foundation to build an activity pavilion at Sal J. Prezioso Park.
  • JMC Half Parkster with OLA Partner — Member of the Community Business Circle, supporting the Westchester Parks Foundation.
  • Johnsen Landscapes & Pools Partner — Event captain organization for the 2026 Gala.
  • KRP Partner — Member of the Community Business Circle, supporting the Westchester Parks Foundation.
  • LL Partner — Member of the Community Business Circle, supporting the Westchester Parks Foundation.
  • Leon Lowenstein Foundation Funder — Provided a $25,000 grant to support the installation of the 10-station Fit-Trail at Kensico Dam Plaza.
  • McCullough, Goldberger and Staudt, LLP Partner — Event captain organization for the 2026 Gala.
  • Mohegan Park Contractors, Inc. Partner — Co-chair organization for the 2026 Gala.
  • NSC&C Partner — Member of the Community Business Circle, supporting the Westchester Parks Foundation.
  • Naber Partner — Member of the Community Business Circle, supporting the Westchester Parks Foundation.
  • New York Botanical Garden Partner — Collaborates on reforestation efforts at Scout Field as part of a NYS DEP CoRe grant project.
  • NewYork Presbyterian Partner — Co-chair organization for the 2026 Gala.
+ 24 more
strategies · 4

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Community Stewardship Through Experiential Engagement
    methodology: stewardship_through_experience
    By creating positive, immersive experiences in parks—including volunteer programs, educational activities, and personal development camps—the foundation fosters long-term community stewardship, because meaningful personal experiences increase individual investment in park care and sustainability.
  • Inclusive Access Through Adaptive Recreation
    methodology: adaptive-outdoor-access
    By deploying All-Terrain Trackchairs and other adaptive tools, the foundation removes physical barriers to park access, enabling individuals with disabilities to experience nature and fostering broader community inclusion and stewardship.
  • Public-Private Partnership for Park Sustainability
    methodology: public-private_partnership
    By partnering with public agencies and private funders, the foundation secures sustainable funding and operational support for parks and community programs, leveraging shared interests to maintain and improve public green spaces. This model ensures long-term stewardship through combined resources and aligned goals.
  • Revenue-Generating Recreation to Fund Public Good
    methodology: revenue-generating public recreation
    By operating recreational facilities such as golf driving ranges and using their proceeds, the foundation generates self-sustaining funding that is reinvested into park improvements and programs, reducing reliance on donations and increasing program resilience.