WHITE PLAINS- The Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Conservation has received four prestigious awards recognizing the department’s leadership, innovation, and service to residents across the county.
Former Parks Commissioner Kathleen O’Connor received the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials’ Outstanding Public Official Award, honoring her nearly 50 years of service and leadership in developing Westchester’s nationally recognized parks system.
The same organization also presented Director of Recreation Kevin Cook with its Professional Fellow Award for his work overseeing recreation programs that serve more than one million residents of all ages and abilities since joining the department in 2006.
At the regional level, the Westchester Recreation and Park Society honored Acting Parks Commissioner Peter Tartaglia with the Joseph E. Curtis Achievement Award for more than 40 years of service and leadership in parks, recreation, and conservation.
Lasdon Public Gardens and Veterans Memorial in Katonah also received the Matt Dolan Innovative Program Award for its 2025 exhibit, The American Civil War: A War of Firsts, which featured interactive displays highlighting advances in medicine, transportation, weaponry and technology during the Civil War.
County Executive Ken Jenkins said the awards reflect the dedication and professionalism of the Parks Department staff, whose work helps make Westchester’s parks a source of pride for residents.
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