Here's an account (to the best of our knowledge) of which communities in Westchester have money for open space acquisition, and how they have used it (as of December 9, 2010).
- Somers - passed a $2 million bond proposition; spent $4 million combined with $9.3 million from New York City, $4 million from Westchester County and $3.2 million from New York State to buy the 654-acre Eagle River property. Westchester Land Trust helped bring the funders together, negotiated the contract, and handled many of the pre-closing details. Somers also spent approximately $1.6 million combined with $1.6 million from Westchester County and $2.2 million from New York State to buy the development rights to the 170-acre Stuart's Farm, in Granite Springs, ensuring that the farm will remain a farm. Westchester Land Trust helped prepare the application for the state farmland protection grant.
- Pound Ridge - passed a ballot proposition in 2000 that raises $300,000 a year for 10 years. The town spent $2.3 million combined with $600,000 from Westchester Land Trust to buy 48 acres on Eastwoods Road. Westchester Land Trust negotiated the contract. Pound Ridge spent $145,000, combined with $580,000 from Mianus River Gorge Preserve, for 11 acres that will become part of the preserve (this was not a WLT project). In 2010, voters passed a 10-year extension of the open space tax levy.
- Bedford - passed a $3 million bond proposition in 2000. In 2010, the Town Board extended the open space fund for 10 years. The town spent $1.275 million combined with $50,000 donated by residents, for 33-acre Leatherman's Ridge; Westchester Land Trust negotiated the deal. The Town bought a 13-acre property in Katonah for $660,000, including $167,000 from the NYC DEP, $153,000 that neighbors donated to Westchester Land Trust, and $340,000 from the Town's open space fund. The town also spent $800,000 for 10 acres in Katonah and bought a small property in Bedford Village (WLT did not work on either of those projects).
- Lewisboro - passed $2 million bond proposition. The town spent $500,000, combined with $3.7 million from the state, county, and private donors, for the 110-acre Old Field Preserve; Westchester Land Trust negotiated the deal and worked with members of the Lewisboro Land Trust (a WLT chapter) to raise private money for the acquisition. The town also spent $1 million, combined with $1 million from New York City, $5 million from the Jerome Levy Foundation and $500,000 from the Dextra, Baldwin McGonigle Foundation, to buy and create the 386-acre Leon Levy Preserve. WLT negotiated the deal and handled many of the pre-closing details.
- Yorktown - raised $2 million through annual tax of $30 per parcel. Bought the 34-acre Solomon's Farm property in December 2006 for $1.25 million WLT helped negotiate the purchase. The town bought 25 acres near Turkey Mountain for $1.4 million in 2005. Yorktown also bought a 4-acre property and a 4.5-acre property with money in a special Hallocks Mill Brook watershed fund that WLT helped over see and advise. The town contributed approximately $350,000, combined with $350,000 from Cortlandt, $700,000 from Westchester County, and $1.5 million from New Yor State, to protect the 116-acre Hemlock Hill Farm, on the Yorktown-Cortlandt border. Westchester Land Trust helped prepare the application for the state farmland protection grant. In 2010, the Town bought the 200-acre Granite Knolls property for $2.7 million; WLT negotiated the basic terms of the contract.
- Tarrytown - passed a $3 million bond proposition. The village spent $1.6 m for 2.4 acres, on Neperan Road, and $250,000 for two acres in Gracemere. Westchester Land Trust helped negotiate both purchases.
- Irvington - passed a $3 million bond proposition. The village spent $1.5 million combined with $3 million from the county, $500,000 each from Trust for Public Land/Open Space Institute and Scenic Hudson, and $330,000 from New York State for the 40-acre Westwood property. Westchester Land Trust helped secure funding from the County Board of Legislators.
- White Plains - $5 million in municipal budget. Spent $1.75 million for 5.3-acre D'Elia property.
- New Castle - passed a $2 million bond proposition. Spent $1.5 million for 97 acres of Burden property.
Greenburgh - 0.5% of annual town tax rate from 1997 - 2003. The town spent $3.7 million, combined with $7 million from the state and county, for the 199-acre Taxter Ridge property. Westchester Land Trust prepared an analysis of the development potential and the benefits of protection that led to the purchase.
- North Salem - passed a $2 million bond proposition in 2000 and a $2 million bond proposition in 2005. The town spent $1.035 million, combined with $115,000 from the North Salem Open Land Foundation, for the 66-acre Purdys Ridge preserve; WLT helped negotiate the contract. The town also spent $500,000 combined with $2.1 million from the North Salem Open Land Foundation for 60 acres on Bloomer Road, near Peach Lake.
- Rye - The city spent $2.4 million to acquire 7-acre Rye Nursery property. WLT helped negotiate the agreement. Bought the 1-acre Bird Homestead for $1.25 million, including $15,000 from Westchester Land Trust, $200,000 from Westchester County, $200,000 from the Long Island Sound Stewardship Fund, $200,000 from the New York State Assembly, and $350,000 from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
- New Rochelle - The city bought 3 acres to add to Glenwood Lake park, in 2001; Westchester County contributed $210,000 purchase price. New Rochelle contributed 1 percent of the purchase price and dedicated an additional 1.5 acres as parkland. The city bought an additional acre at Glenwood Lake in 2006; WLT helped negotiate the acquisition.
- Cortlandt - The town contributed to the Hemlock Hill Farm preservation effort (see Yorktown, above). Cortlandt is allocating part of annual budget surplus to open space fund.
- North Castle - passed a $3 million open space bond proposition; open space committee working with Westchester Land Trust and North Castle Land Trust to recommend acquisitions. Spent $230,000 to help buy the 30-acre Byram Lake preserve (with $230,000 from Mount Kisco and $15,000 from Westchester Land Trust.
- Dobbs Ferry - passed a $3 million bond proposition.
- Ardsley - passed a $1.75 million bond proposition.