Our Story
In 2021, a suggestion was made at the Recreation Advisory Council meeting that Tarrytown could really use a permanent structure in Patriots Park: a place where there could be concerts, plays, and gatherings, and which would amplify existing Village events like the Holiday Tree Lighting and Easter Egg Hunt. This “north star” Patriots Pavilion project inspired us to wonder: what else does our community need, but that our Village—with limited funds and capacity—can’t afford to prioritize?
Despite a few setbacks since that day, The Friends emerged on January 1, 2025, as an official nonprofit. We are now ready to serve our community! Please join us in improving Tarrytown today and for future generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the purpose of the Friends of Tarrytown Parks and Recreation?
We work in unison with the Village of Tarrytown Department of Parks and Recreation and Tarrytown Parks and Recreation Council to encourage use and appreciation of the extensive parks and open space by residents, provide a forum for ensuring community input, increasing fiscal and human resources for parks and recreation projects, provide a forum for the arts, historic preservation and education, as well as developing environmentally sound events and programs that bring community members to the park system to learn, preserve, recreate and connect with each other.
Do all villages and towns have a “Friends of…” nonprofit?
Many villages and towns have a Friends of Recreation support group. Nearby, Yorktown and Irvington have had similar nonprofits for many years and have shown tremendous success in supporting and funding arts and cultural events in those towns.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
The Friends of Tarrytown is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charity. When you make a donation your gift is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. If you’d like to make a donation, please click here.
How is “The Friends” governed?
We are an independent, self-governing nonprofit organization incorporated in the State of New York. Our board of directors are made up of concerned citizens, and some recreation advisory council members. The Village Administrator and the Superintendent of parks and recreation also attend meetings as non-voting advisors.
How do you decide to spend the money?
The Friends of Tarrytown Parks and Recreation takes input from a variety of sources, the recreation department, and—most importantly—from the input of the citizens of the Village.
I already pay taxes, why should I donate?
It’s a fair question. Though we pay taxes to our local and state municipalities, most Village budgets cannot accommodate new programs, renovations, facilities, scholarships—things that we consider to be “above and beyond.” The Friends of Tarrytown Parks and Recreation provides those “extras” that our Village cannot afford, but we are confident can be funded by a combination of grants, partnerships, and individual donors.
How can I support the Friends of Tarrytown Parks and Recreation ?
Thanks for asking! You can make a tax-deductible donation to The Friends here. To stay informed of ongoing sponsorship and dedication opportunities, sign up for our newsletter. And we will always welcome helping hands with any of our recreation and fundraising events, so if you’re interested in volunteering, click here.