Photo credit: Peter Lyons Hall (parade excerpted from video)
By Peter Lyons Hall
The Village of Greenwood Lake was filled with community spirit and hometown pride on Saturday, June 20, as the Greenwood Lake Little League hosted its annual Closing Day Parade along Windermere Avenue, marking the conclusion of another successful spring baseball and softball season.
Players, coaches, families, and supporters gathered to celebrate the achievements of the league’s young athletes, creating a colorful procession that highlighted the important role youth sports play in the community. Teams proudly marched through the village wearing their uniforms while carrying banners and signs representing their respective divisions and sponsors.
Leading the parade was Greenwood Lake Mayor Tom Howley, joined by Village Trustees Chad Sellier, Thais Pilieri, and. John Trazino. Their participation underscored the village’s ongoing support for youth recreation programs and the volunteers who make them possible. Local organizations, community groups, and residents also took part in the festivities, adding to the celebratory atmosphere along the parade route, where the Village Fire Department fire engines, EMT vehicles, and police cars participated.
The annual parade has become a cherished Greenwood Lake tradition, bringing together families, friends, and neighbors to recognize the dedication and hard work displayed by players throughout the season. For many young athletes, the event serves as a memorable finale to months of practices, games, and team-building experiences.
While at the ball field, Mayor Howley revealed that he had played on the field 55 years ago, which to him was a cherished memory. Since that time, the field conditions have improved considerably due to the hard work and dedication of the families, local organizations, and village employees. In addition the Greenwood Lake Lions Club dedicated a new scoreboard for the Lions ball field.
During the season’s closing ceremony the League reminded the assembled families and players of the sustained support and sponsorship of Frank Lotito and Erin Frey, former owners of Emerald Point Restaurant, who donated so much to the Little League for several decades. The League also recognized the efforts of the late Deputy Mayor, Kelli Kelm, of her successful efforts to integrate a softball program into the Little League schedule. She had spearheaded uplifting what was once a local program into a national level, taking it up a notch to a place that would enjoy league recognition. Without her persistent effort and dedication to the cause, the young women of the Village would not have had the opportunity to engage in the sport at all at the League level.
Beyond celebrating wins and losses, Little League provides children with opportunities to develop valuable life skills, including teamwork, sportsmanship, perseverance, and leadership. The Closing Day Parade reflects those values while giving the community an opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of coaches, parents, league officials, and volunteers who contribute countless hours to supporting local youth programs.
Residents lined Windermere Avenue to cheer on participants as they made their way through the village, creating an enthusiastic and welcoming environment for the players. The event highlighted the strong sense of community that continues to define Greenwood Lake and its commitment to providing positive experiences for local children.
As another season comes to a close, the Greenwood Lake Little League can look back on a successful spring while already looking ahead to next year’s season and another opportunity to bring the community together through the enduring tradition of youth baseball and softball. To learn more, click on https://www.gwllittleleague.com/
Photo credit: Little League: Mayor Howley, and Trustees Sellier, Trazino, and Pilieri
