When chatting with his fellow Peekskill residents, Jeffrey Grimshaw likes to ask a deceptively hard question: “Can you name all of Peekskill’s parks?”
The first few come easy: Depew, Franklin, Riverfront Green. But few residents can name every one, Grimshaw says — a total of 13. (That number also includes city-owned green spaces scattered across Peekskill.)
That is one of the reasons Grimshaw joined Peekskill’s Parks Advisory Board about four years ago. “We have to make these spaces better known to the community,” he says. Earlier this year, when a leadership position opened up on the board, Grimshaw applied for and was named chair.
The board is an advisory committee for the city composed of seven volunteers. “We listen, look, and communicate needs as well as opportunities for all city parks,” Grimshaw explains. That includes making funding recommendations and sharing input on the city’s park-based recreation programs, like summer camp and riverfront movies and music. Grimshaw and other board members convene the third Tuesday of each month at the Recreation Office, and their guidance is passed along to members of the Peekskill Common Council.
In 2025, the board is focused on boosting park awareness and usage, Grimshaw explains. The group is brainstorming “better promotion of these spaces and how we could use them even better than we do already.” That means more publicity on Facebook and elsewhere across the web. (While many of the board have a facilities management background, others have marketing expertise, Grimshaw notes.)
Increased park usage would dovetail with recent investments in these city spaces. Last year, Peekskill completed a $1.2 million overhaul of Pugsley Park, funded by a New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative Grant. The neglected green space between Howard and Main streets was overhauled, complete with molded hills, new trees, and colorful artwork. Then there’s the new sports field at Depew Park, along with the conversion of Depew’s dilapidated tennis courts into pickleball courts – work also funded by state grants.
Another board focus is ensuring proper park upkeep. “Something is always happening, from making sure the snow gets cleared in the wintertime or the lawns get mowed in summertime,” Grimshaw says. Nevermind the near-constant painting and repairs to park structures. “There’s lots to be done,” he adds.
Grimshaw is quick to laud the city workers behind these efforts: “It’s well managed. There’s lots of people with good experience and new ideas.” Grimshaw and his fellow volunteers work closely with Dana Dapson, Peekskill’s recreation department lead, and Jonathan Zamora, Peekskill’s nutrition manager and Community Hub coordinator. The board also shares ideas and recommendations for the parks’ DPW workers through Zamora.
A history of service
Grimshaw is a familiar face at the Depew Park pool and other local spots — and not just because of his chairman role. “My granddaughter takes advantage of a lot of the programming,” he says.
Grimshaw moved to town about four years ago from Oswego, NY, lured by family. “My daughter lives here in Peekskill and my granddaughter was born four years ago,” he explains. “My wife and I moved here to be with our granddaughter and to be part of this community.”
While Grimshaw is relatively new to Peekskill, he’s an old hand at community service. “I’ve been volunteering all my life,” he says. Grimshaw worked as director of business and community relations at SUNY Oswego, balancing that with robust nonprofit commitments: “At that time, I was on about 17 boards” focused on workforce and community development, he explains. “It’s in my blood.” Grimshaw has also served as a YMCA director.
“When Peekskill posted the need for volunteers, I thought my experience might be useful,” he recalls. “I put in my name, and four years ago I was asked to join the board.”
