Some of Our Achievements

This is just a very short list of our projects. We’re very proud of our accomplishments and hope you share our enthusiasm for helping to continuously improve our community. Please click the links for more information.

Fleetwood Street Festival
Pennington School Ball Park Renovation
Children's Halloween Parade and Festival
Talkin' Trash
Bike Safety Rodeo
Train Station Renovation
Broad Street Playground Renovation

2008 Community Projects

It's True, They DID Come (to the Pennington School)

No, Shoeless Joe Jackson did not appear from out of the woods on a Saturday in May to witness the excitement of 50 community volunteers pitching in to improve one of Fleetwood's great resources -- the Pennington-Grimes Elementary School grounds and baseball field -- but Mayor Davis, Department of Public Works Commissioner James Finch, Building Commissioner Ralph Tedesco, Police Commissioner Bernice Kennedy, Principal Dr. Marlene Zakierski, Assistant Principal Davis and Mr. Cooper did.

What they saw on that cool but dry Saturday was a proud and ambitious community clean up the school yard of garbage, broken glass, and piles of leaves; plant flowers, azaleas, and creeping junipers; and trim and landscape the grounds. Teams of volunteers also planted flowers and bushes in the raised beds installed by the City at the entrances to Mount Vernon along Route 22 and by the Cross County Broad Street exit ramp. Best of all, the DPW staff continued its week-long effort to renovate the Pennington School baseball field. Clean soil was added and topped off with clay earlier in the week. On Saturday, staff focused on smoothing and leveling the infield diamond. Still to come are adding another two inches of clay, a pitching mound and bases, and improving the surrounding fencing. Play ball!

To keep everyone fueled, donuts and coffee, (courtesy of Dunkin' Donuts at 9 Gramatan Ave), were served in the morning. For lunch, the Fleetwood Neighborhood Association along with The Fleetwood Deli/Cafe and the PTA sponsored Hot Dogs, grilled by master chef, Bob Granata, and soda, courtesy of Coke, and ice courtesy of Mazzi's Sports Bar. Everyone had a great time and it shows, once again, what can be achieved when the community and City are willing partners. Who knows, if we plant some corn fields, maybe Shoeless Joe will make an appearance after all!

The Annual Fleetwood Street Festival
Now in its fourth year, this event brings the whole of Mount Vernon together. Raffles, Clowns, Music, Food, Games and more round out the day’s event. This year’s fair boasted more than 50 vendors, an antique car show, a dunk tank and a pie throwing booth (with local politicians as brave targets), pony rides, attracted more than 4000 visitors and families to our community.

The Annual Children's Halloween Parade
Now in its eleventh year, this parade offers parents a daytime alternative to night time trick-or-treating and includes a costume contest and goodie bags for the first 300 families to register for the contests. Local businesses and organizations donate candy and other treats for the children and display their services and programs at tables along the parade route. Raffles, Clowns, Music, Food, Games and more round out the day’s event. Last year’s parade attracted more than 800 children with their parents and families to the Fleetwood Business District.

Talkin' Trash
We are Talking Trash and partnering with Goldman Sachs again this year for their Community TeamWorks Project. We will beautify the tree boxes with countless flowers and clean Gramatan Avenue through this exciting event. Our annual budget for this has grown to nearly $6,000

Fleetwood Bike Safety Rodeo
In partnership with local State Farm Insurance agent Corey Anthony and State Farm Insurance, the FNA has an annual Bike Safety Rodeo. This program is open to the community to teach any child or adult how to bicycle safely in an urban community. The Mount Vernon Police Department works with us at the Bike Safety Rodeo offering their Child Identification Program and a Bike Etching Program. The Mount Vernon School District also acts a partner in this program.

Fleetwood Train Station Renovation
The FNA has worked closely with Senator Guy Velella for many years and in the past years Senator Velella has heard our concerns about improving the train station. In response to our concerns, Senator Velella created a $400,000 financial package for the MTA for improvements and renovation of the Fleetwood Train Station.

Broad Street Playground Renovation
The Broad Street Playground was built over 30 years ago. Since that time the playground has served countless children and families, but also came to be in dire need of renovations and improvement. In 1998, the FNA adopted the playground and working with the City of Mount Vernon, designed plans to improve the playground using all-steel play equipment and safety surfacing.

We have successfully raised more than $125,000 with the help of community partners like Senator Guy Velella, the City of Mount Vernon and State Farm Insurance toward the renovation of the Broad Street Playground. The estimated cost of the renovations is approximately $120,000. To date, all of the old play equipment has been removed and replaced with two new play systems, two sets of swings, benching and safety surfaces. More improvements were completed in 2003 and 2004, including the addition of a set of toddlers swings, picnic tables, new benching and trash cans. To help fulfill this financial commitment two fund raising programs have been created: The Children's Tile Quilt and The Annual Halloween Parade.

Other Community Projects

The Fleetwood Neighborhood Association works throughout Mount Vernon to improve the quality of life for our residents and enable people in our community to take advantage of opportunities they would otherwise be denied.  The following is a list of our 2008 contributions that have made a real difference in our community:

Student Ambassadors

We are so proud of our students who have been honored by being selected as Student Ambassadors in the People to People Ambassador Program.  Student Ambassadors will travel to Australia and meet and connect with students from around the world as they learn about cultures, diplomacy and more.  The Fleetwood Neighborhood Association made small donations to Nijah Brown and Ward H. Fuller for their trips to Australia.  We can't wait to see the pictures and reports of their trip!  Bon Voyage!

Mt.Vernon Hospital Emergency Campaign

The Fleetwood Neighborhood Association purchased a ticket to the Mount Vernon Hospital Emergency Campaign Fundraiser, which is raising funds to renovate our emergency room and serve our community more efficiently. 

 The Christopher Ridley Foundation

Like everyone in the community, we were shocked and saddened by the tragic death of one of our bravest, Christopher Ridley.  The Mount Vernon PBA is undertaking a campaign to raise money and fulfill Officer Ridley's dream of sending his younger sister to college.  The FNA donated $200.00 to that campaign - a token in light of the sacrifice this young man made.

 American Cancer Society - Relay for Life

Now in its second year, the ACS Relay for Life is a weekend-long event at Memorial Field.  We donated $250.00 to the society's efforts to promote the research and eradication of cancer in our lifetime.  Good luck and THANK YOU to everyone who is participating - a special shout out to Elvira Castillo, Four Seasons Real Estate and Board Member, and to James McMahon, Houlihan Lawrence, who are running teams at this event.

 Boys and Girls Club of Mount Vernon

The Fleetwood Neighborhood Association donated money to the Boys and Girls club to support their many vital programs that serve our youth.

  Lincoln Elementary School PTA

The FNA donated money to the Lincoln PTA in support of their annual fundraiser (formerly known as The Bridge).  This money enabled the PTA to purchase refreshments and decorations for the Rockin' and Rollin' at Lincoln, and supported their efforts.  They raised more than $10,000.00 to fund field trips, supplies, seminars and special assemblies for the more than 750 children who attend the school.

  Mt. Vernon "Very Special Olympics"

The Very Special Olympics is a day when the special education students from all over Mount Vernon School District participate in a field day at Traphagen School. Our donation will enable the organizers to give each child a t-shirt and a medal and provide lunch for the day.  This is one day where our neediest children truly have a chance to shine!