Mamaroneck Debuts New Green Infrastructure in Its Greenway Project

by Michaela Louhgran with Marina Kiriakou -

As residents are all too aware, the Village of Mamaroneck faces a pressing challenge: a serious flooding problem exacerbated by the Mamaroneck and Sheldrake Rivers.  The severity of this issue was starkly highlighted by Hurricane Ida in 2021, which left parts of the village submerged and caused extensive damage to homes and businesses.

Exploring Solutions

In the wake of such devastation, residents grappled with the immediate aftermath, cleaning up and planning for the future.  But a vital question emerged: How can we prevent such floods from wreaking havoc again?  Village Engineer Gino Frabasile states that there is no single solution, but two primary strategies are available: traditional hardscape methods, such as concrete channels, and greener approaches involving "green infrastructure."

This article addresses the second main strategy for flood-prone areas: green infrastructure.

The Promise of Green Infrastructure

Green infrastructure uses plants—trees, shrubs, and grasses—with more eco-friendly land contouring to absorb rainfall and mitigate flooding, rather than relying solely on hard materials that contribute to runoff.  Thus, green infrastructure is eco-friendlier and more effective at flood mitigation, while also having beneficial spillover effects to other areas of sustainability, including carbon absorption.

Frabasile advocates adding this method to the arsenal of responses, emphasizing its effectiveness and cost-efficiency compared to concrete solutions, “Generally, excavating and restoring with native plantings would be a lot more cost-beneficial than a hardscape, channel, or culvert design.”  He also notes that a greenway is more visually appealing than a culvert, making it a superior choice in terms of aesthetics.

The Vision for the Greenway Project

Kate Dehais, Chairperson of the Village of Mamaroneck Committee for the Environment (CFTE), recognized the potential of green infrastructure early on and envisioned a connected network of parks along the rivers.  This led to the conception of the Mamaroneck Greenway Project—a linear series of green spaces along the rivers designed to provide both flood mitigation and recreational opportunities.

The ambitious project aims to cover 3.1 miles and encompass 22 acres of new parkland, creating a beautiful riverside pathway for walking and biking.  It would also be Mamaroneck’s first riverside greenway, filling a crucial gap in the community’s flood management efforts.  “This project is not just about flood mitigation; it’s about creating healthier ecosystems,” Dehais explains.  "Native plants support local wildlife and also stabilize the soil on erosion-prone riverbanks, further enhancing flood resilience.”

These formal steps have enabled $60,000 in no-match grants from Long Island Sound Study and NY State Parks for professional designs which are currently underway.  Dehais reports that with the support of the new village manager and her team, much more is in the works.

Equally important, the Greenway helps address a longstanding issue in the Village: the lack of designated open space.  Only 4.4% of Mamaroneck’s total land area is currently open space—a figure that pales in comparison to Larchmont and Scarsdale, where nearly 18% of land is preserved for parks and natural areas.  This scarcity puts pressure on existing green areas and highlights the importance of projects like the Greenway, which can relieve that burden while providing critical environmental benefits.

Community Involvement and Support

Christi Young, Dehais’ CFTE colleague, adds, “The idea blossomed from looking at little lots of land available for native planting to support local insects and animals.”  The project is rooted in the understanding that restoring native flora promotes biodiversity while addressing ecological degradation caused by invasive species.

As the project progresses in the Village, two completed areas have emerged: the Rockland Pocket Preserve Park and the Nostrand-Howard Riverside Park.  These improvements signify a substantial step toward achieving the vision of a cohesive greenway that promotes environmental education and accessibility.

Village Trustee Dan Kushnick acknowledges Dehais’ leadership: "This is a very ambitious idea, but with Kate at the helm, I see great potential.”  Fellow trustee and former CFTE member Ellen Silver appreciates Dehais’ advocacy, calling her “an amazing cheerleader and educator” and noting her persistence as a driving force behind the project.

Greenway volunteer Lucas O'Malley highlights the broader societal benefits of the project, emphasizing the need for outdoor spaces to encourage residents to engage with nature.  “It’s going to be beneficial not just for the environment but for the public to get outside,” he asserts.  This aligns with growing research findings that increased time outside in nature, rather than on screens, yields mental health benefits.

A Vision for the Future

In a village where strategic preservation of open space has become a key environmental priority—not just for ecological reasons but also for flood mitigation and community well-being—the Greenway Project represents a powerful step forward.

The Mamaroneck Greenway ultimately represents a multifaceted approach to addressing flood mitigation and habitat loss while enhancing community well-being.  As Mamaroneck continues to navigate environmental challenges, the commitment to creating green spaces provides hope for a more resilient future.

Dehais and her team will be working outside with volunteers as warm weather approaches, bringing Mamaroneck one step closer to a beautiful and functional greenway that benefits all.  With increasing community support, the Greenway Project is poised to become a vital asset for the village.  For more information, see the CFTE presentation to the Village and resolution see HERE.  To volunteer, write CFTE@vomny.org.

Looking Ahead

In the next of three articles, we will explore details of the Village’s Greenway two pocket parks at Rockland and Nostrand Avenues, explaining how the work there connects to a broader vision that serves flood mitigation efforts.

(Michaela Loughran is a guest writer for this three-part series.  A junior at Tufts University, she is majoring in environmental studies and philosophy.)