New Rochelle Honors Child Who Died Unexpectedly at Five with Playground

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The New Rochelle City Council is expected to adopt a resolution authorizing the honorary naming of the playground at Heritage Homes the “Master Ryan Sinkfield Playground”.

The City Manager received a request from the Executive Director of the New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority for consideration of the honorary naming of the newly constructed playground at Heritage Homes located on Brook Street for Master Ryan Sinkfield

The memorandum describing the legislation says, “Ryan Sinkfield was a very special young man who was beloved by the community and passed away before his time at the age of six”.

Recommendation

Staff recommends that this request for the honorary naming of the newly constructed playground at Heritage Homes located on Brook Street be granted, and the park officially named Master Ryan Sinkfield playground.

Ryan August Sinkfield

Ryan August Sinkfield was born on September 21st, 2014 at the New Rochelle Hospital. Ryan was the son of Sheniqua Smith and Marc Sinkfield. Both parents were also born and raised in New Rochelle, NY, along with a host of families who still reside in the City of New Rochelle. The Sinkfield family has strong family roots in the City of New Rochelle and have been active in the community.

Ryan attended the Children’s Center for Learning at 95 Lincoln Avenue in New Rochelle, NY, and graduated to Trinity Elementary School, where he completed Kindergarten.

Ryan was a great kid who loved to go and have fun at Lincoln Park on days when there was no school. He was an energetic 5-year-old who enjoyed skateboarding, playing ball, baking cakes, visiting family and friends and spending time with his Dad at football games. Ryan also spent time with his dad, Marc, at grow! Lincoln Park Community Garden, where he helped his dad plant his garden and harvest the vegetables. Ryan made friends with the other gardeners and would ask lots of questions about what they were planting and why. A curious and intelligent young man, Ryan was a joy to be around.

He loved to play in Heritage Homes, riding his scooter up and down the walkway for hours. Ryan loved his parents very much and loved spending time with us.

Ryan Sinkfield was admitted into the hospital on March 9th, 2020 for a medical procedure and due to complications, he passed away on May 22nd, 2020. Ryan was adored by the New Rochelle community and will be missed by all the residents, family, and friends of Heritage Homes and the City of New Rochelle.