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New Rochelle City Manager 
Wilfredo Melendez 

Dear Neighbors,

I hope Summer 2026 has been a great one for you and yours. July had no shortage of excitement in New Rochelle and we’ve been able to create great moments for residents and push forward important projects to improve our City.

One of the signature events of the Summer is our annual “Spark the Sound” fireworks show, which was more special this year as we celebrate America 250. This year’s event saw our Downtown Summer Sizzle Concert Series head to Hudson Park, with live musical performances entertaining the crowds before the night sky glowed from the firework over the Long Island Sound after a brief rain delay.  Just one week later, the America 250 festivities continued at City Hall, where the New Rochelle America 250 Committee hosted “Voices of “We the People”, a community reading marking the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Westchester County that took place on July 11th, 1776. Members of the community gathered on the dais of City Council Chambers and read the preamble to the Declaration of Independence in multiple languages, and other presenters read texts from Civil Rights leaders, suffragettes and the Indigenous people of our area. The event was a great showcase of the diversity of our community and the spirit that continues to make America what it is.

While the aforementioned storm activity over the July 4th weekend didn’t stop the fireworks display, the massive rainfalls that hit our region in early July did test our Department of Public Works teams, who worked around the clock to respond to emergencies and monitor any flood-prone areas. In July DPW was also hard at work pushing ahead with a number of Stormwater Mitigation Projects to address trouble spots across the City. One of these is a Drainage Improvement project along Wiltshire Road. 17 new catch basins were installed, along with new piping to help convey runoff and prevent surges during heavy rain events. 

We also met with neighbors on the North End to discuss another planned project along the Sheldrake River corridor. Our City Engineer Gino Frabasile showed off designs for the project, which will include two new culverts at Pinebrook Boulevard and Tulip Lane, as well as an overflow bypass culvert that should significantly reduce flooding nearby. 

July’s storms also caused a few headaches for residents as the rains and high winds downed a number of trees onto power lines, blocking parts of vital roadways like Pinebrook Boulevard and Quaker Ridge Road. While our Police Department and DPW teams work hard to respond to these situations, clearing a downed tree on a line is complicated by the fact we have to wait for the utility that owns and maintains those lines to assess the condition before a tree can be safely removed.  If you happen to see a downed tree, you can notify the NRPD’s non-emergency hotline at . And if you ever lose power call Con Edison at 1-800-75-CONED (26633)

Our Parks Department has also been in hard at work over the past few months. Last month, the team celebrated the ribbon cutting at the newly renovated 1923 Building at Flowers City Park. Thanks to funding provided through a 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) federal grant, the facility now features dedicated locker rooms, ADA-accessible restrooms and showers, and flexible gathering space to support coaches, athletes, and game officials during sporting events, This investment enhances one of Westchester County’s busiest athletic destinations, providing modern amenities that match the park’s growing popularity as a premier venue for tournaments, leagues, and athletic rentals over the past decade.  The Parks Department also celebrated the opening of a new playground at Maplewood Park, including new climbing equipment, swing-sets and a basketball court. These additions, along with a new walking path at – – -, were the result of ARPA funding and the support of NY State Senator Shelley Mayer and the City of New Rochelle’s Capital Plan over the course of less than 2 years.

Our Summer of Soccer slate of programming was a great opportunity to capitalize on the excitement of the world’s biggest Soccer tournament arriving to our area. From the Kickoff at Skidelsky Field in Flowers City Park, to our Community Coed Soccer Tournament where 6 teams faced off for bragging rights at the best squad in the City, there was a palpable energy at each event.  We capped it all of Sunday, July 19th with a Finale Festival at Ruby Dee Park and Lawton Street where hundreds gathered to watch Spain take an extra-time victory over Argentina.  It was the culmination of a lot of planning from our Parks & Recreation team, collaboration with the Downtown Business Improvement District and[MW1.1]  the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce, as well as a reminder of the spirit of community that makes New Rochelle special.

Community is a huge part of two annual[MW2.1] traditions in New Rochelle. The New Rochelle Police Department is hosting National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4 at City Hall and New Rochelle Police Headquarters from 5 PM to 8 PM.  The family-friendly event is open to everyone, with food, music and the opportunity to get to know some of the people who help keep our City safe.   On August 29, New Rochelle’s West End community welcomes everyone to sample the flavors of its locals at The Taste of Union Avenue. From First Street to Fourth Street, Restaurants on Union Ave. will offer some of their signature dishes as families can shop with local vendors, family friendly activities and live performances from 1 PM to 7 PM. It’s a much-anticipated event that brings smiles to faces with plenty of food and fun to go around.

We want to remind you of all the ways to connect with us. You can sign up for our NewRo Alert system at http://www.newrochelleny.gov/newroalert to receive calls, texts and/or email updates. The MobileNR app, available on the Apple App Store Google Play Store, is also a great tool to let us know about any non-emergency concerns in your neighborhood. You can also look to our City social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and X. And, check out my monthly City Manager Update to learn more about City’s initiatives, projects, and programs. To view the update, visit: newrochelleny.gov/citymanager.

As we keep working for you and our City, we welcome any feedback and all feedback. I encourage all residents to reach out to my office with any questions, comments or suggestions. Thanks for your continued support and partnership and I look forward to connecting with you.