07/30/2026
Hello Lewisboro Residents,
Re: Proposal from St. Lukes School (SLS) for Vista Park
I have spoken to some folks who had questions about this plan. Some of the information out in social media is not accurate so I I would like to clarify.
The concept plan that has been published on Facebook is not accurate and is one that we pushed back on initially, not sure how that got out there but included with this email is the latest concept. It is this concept and the draft term sheet that will be presented tonight at the PRAC meeting.
First off, the Town of Lewisboro is not selling Vista Park.
St. Luke’s came up with this idea of a Public-Private partnership. Public-Private partnerships are not new and is common with municipalities. It provides a way for a private entity to do a capital investment in the municipality which they get a benefit from as does the municipality.
The background:
SLS approached Parks & Rec and my office and we agreed to meet to discuss. We met with the SLS reps. I suggested that they come up with a proposal which would have to be reviewed by Parks & Rec and the Town Board. This proposal was received end of last week and has been presented to the Town board and the Parks & Rec Advisory committee for initial review. No decisions have been made and of course the legalities of the arrangement would have to be looked at assuming there is in interest on the part of the Town to move this forward. We do know that this project would trigger something called Park Alienation which would need to be looked into by our Town Attorney and the appropriate NYS agency, the Town has done this before, specifically with the Cell Tower located at Town Park.
We also discussed the wetlands challenges and SLS knew they would have to engage a Wetlands Engineer, SLS asked for a referral and I told them that we work with KSCJ who are very familiar with the wetlands of that park and working with NYSDEC, etc. SLS contracted directly with KSCJ.
There is no investment by the Town at all on in the development of this concept.
To be clear, neither I nor the P&R Superintendent can make a decision. The decision is ultimately made by the Town Board but of course we want this to be run by PRAC and of course we want community feedback.
High level view of what the Town would get
• Muti-milllion dollar capital investment
• Running/Potable water
• Bathrooms
• One Turf Field (soccer, baseball, lacrosse) - Turf field has been in Parks & Recs wish list
• Tennis Courts
• Renovation of existing community house which is used today by Scouts and would require to continue to be used by the Vista Scout Troop, with running water and bathrooms, can be expanded for other community use.
• improved parking over what exists today
There would be continued use of the park and new facilities by the community as well as scheduled use for St. Luke tennis matches, etc. To be further discussed but outlined in the draft Term Sheet. Scheduling taken from the Term Sheet;
• New Tennis Courts: During school days SLS want to use the Tennis Courts from 2:00 - 5:30pm Spring & Fall and 9am to 12pm During the summer months. Note that today we do not have tennis courts. Available to residents all other times.
• Turf field weekday afternoons 2-5:30pm, Town and resident have access all other times.
SLS would be responsible for the capital investment and maintenance for the term of the arrangement.
Thank you,
Tony Gonçalves
914-763-3151
Supervisor, Town of Lewisboro
