NEW ROCHELLE, NY (August 17, 2026) — The New Rochelle Department of Parks & Recreation has announced the opening of Liliana’s Playground at D’Onofrio Park, located between Morgan Street and Emmet Terrace.
The playground, fully funded through a private donation, opened to the public on July 24.
The project was funded entirely by lifelong New Rochelle residents Lou and Sandy Monteleone and named after their granddaughter, Liliana.
“This is a historical day for our Parks Department,” said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Vin Parise. “For a funding gift to be this substantial and impactful for the children of New Rochelle, is truly remarkable. I cannot thank Lou & Sandy Monteleone enough for their generosity and passion for the youth of our city. For a playground structure to be constructed this impressive, without any city tax dollar being used, is a once in a lifetime opportunity!”
The Monteleone family worked with Gametime Playground Designers and the Parks & Recreation Department on every aspect of the project, including design and selection of play area amenities.
“What started out as a casual conversation with city officials, has now become a dream come true for my family,” said donor Lou Monteleone. “To see all of the smiling faces on the playground when we stop by D’Onofrio Park, could not make me and my wife more proud. We are ecstatic that our granddaughter’s name will forever be linked with a place that will make children happy for many years to come.” Monteleone thanked Parise, City Councilman Al Tarantino, Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert and the city administration for their cooperation throughout the process.
“The generosity of the Monteleone Family, for a project of this magnitude in our city, is so special and will forever be linked to this beloved part of D’Onofrio Park,” Tarantino said.
“We are so grateful to the Monteleone Family for their love of giving back, their commitment to our City of New Rochelle, and for how the love of their granddaughter, will benefit so many New Rochelle families now and in the future,” Ramos-Herbert said.
Liliana’s Playground is the fifth new playground installed in New Rochelle in the last three years, joining playgrounds at Maplewood Park, Eddie Foy Park, Sycamore Park and Hudson Park.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.
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