Community Profile

Pledge Status

Did Not Report

Pledge Date

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Program Year

2022

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Action Item Report

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City of Peekskill

Peekskill, NY

Vivian McKenzie

Mayor

Pledge Summary

Peekskill is a city in northwestern Westchester County, New York, United States, 50 miles (80 km) from New York City. Established as a village in 1816, it was incorporated as a city in 1940. It lies on a bay along the east side of the Hudson River, across from Jones Point in Rockland County. The population was 23,583 during the 2010 census. The town contains several parks and recreation areas, including Charles Point, with bay and river views; Depew Park, which has pools and a pond in addition to ballfields and trails and is the home of the Recreation Department headquarters; Franklin Park; Lepore Park; Fort Hill Park; Peekskill Dog Park; Peekskill Stadium; Riverfront Green Park; and Tompkins Park round out our parks in the City. We have a dedicated group that is working dilegently to ensure that monarchs and other pollinators in our area have sustainable habitats.

Community Spotlight

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Milkweed planting area at the Riverfront Green

This is one of the areas where milkweed has been planted in Peekskill. This area is along a heavily used walkway at our Riverfront Green. Signage providing information on the Pollinated Pathway is put out to inform walkers.

Action Items Committed for 2022

Communications and Convening

  • Issue a proclamation to raise awareness about the decline of the monarch butterfly and the species’ need for habitat. This proclamation must incorporate a focus on monarch conservation.
  • Engage with gardening leaders and partners (e.g., Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, Nature Centers, Native Plant Society Chapters , other long-standing and influential community leaders) to support monarch butterfly conservation.
  • Engage with city parks and recreation, public works, sustainability, and other relevant staff to identify opportunities to revise and maintain mowing programs and milkweed / native nectar plant planting programs.

Program and Demonstration Gardens

  • Display educational signage at monarch gardens and pollinator habitat.
  • Plant or maintain a monarch and pollinator-friendly demonstration garden at City Hall or another prominent or culturally significant community location.

Systems Change

  • Launch, expand, or continue an effort to change municipal planting ordinances and practices to include more native milkweed and native nectar producing plants at city properties.