South Salem, NY – New York State Senator Pete Harckham announced today that major improvements at Onatru Farm Park in the Town of Lewisboro were completed recently thanks to a $100,000 state grant he secured for the town.

The upgrades improve safety, accessibility and traffic flow at one of Lewisboro’s most heavily used recreational facilities, while helping reduce the financial burden on local taxpayers.

“Residents deserve safe and accessible parks and recreational spaces where they can relax, exercise and come together as a community,” said Harckham. “Onatru Farm Park is a treasured destination for Lewisboro families and visitors, and this state funding made it possible to complete important infrastructure improvements while easing costs for taxpayers. I will continue working to support municipalities as they invest in parks and playgrounds that create meaningful opportunities and lasting memories for residents of all ages.”

“Widening the entrance and paving the parking lot at Onatru was much needed and thanks to the CREST grant we were able to get it done at no expense to the taxpayer,” said Lewisboro Town Supervisor Tony Gonçalves. “Thank you to Senator Harckham for being a true partner to our town and for his responsiveness in helping to address our needs.”

Onatru Farm Park hosts numerous athletic competitions, arts events and community celebrations throughout the year. The park is also home to the town’s Parks and Recreation Office, Town Historian’s Office and Facilities Maintenance Office.

The improvement project was launched following concerns about traffic congestion and safety at the park’s narrow stone pillar entrance, which often created difficulties for vehicles entering and exiting the property during large events. In 2023, one of the entrance pillars was damaged when it was struck by a visitor’s vehicle during the town’s popular Vintage Car Show. Following this incident, Supervisor Gonçalves met with Harckham to discuss the need for renovations, and the senator secured funding support for the project.

The completed work included modifying the entrance and interior parking circle to improve vehicular ingress and egress while reducing the likelihood of future accidents. In addition, the park’s former gravel parking lot was repaved with asphalt, creating a more durable, weather-resistant surface for visitors year-round.

The total cost of the project was $124,278, including $100,000 in funding secured by Harckham through the Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability and Technology (CREST) Program.

The CREST grant awarded to the Town of Lewisboro was approved by the New York State Senate and administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) to support community and economic development initiatives.

Since taking office in 2019, Senator Harckham has delivered more than $35 million in state grant funding to municipalities and nonprofit organizations throughout the 40th Senate District.