On Friday, March 21, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson along with members of the community gathered to dedicate the Gouveia Park house as the Ann Gallelli Recreation, Event, Arts & Learning (REAL) Space.
A 50-year resident of Croton-on-Hudson, Ann dedicated over 35 years of service to the Village. She held various, significant roles on Village Boards and Committees, including the Board of Trustees, the Planning Board, the Waterfront Advisory Committee, the Water Control Commission, and the Comprehensive Plan Committee. For her body of work on behalf of Croton over the decades, Ann was posthumously presented the Levine Community Service Award from the New York Planning Federation in April 2024.
Most recently, Ann Gallelli was elected to the Board in 2006 and served as Deputy Mayor for 11 years–resigning in November 2023 for health reasons. Through her keen insight and dedication to public service, she has played a pivotal role in shaping our Village’s future, including the acquisition of Gouveia Park as a bequest from the late Laurel Gouveia.
In summer 2023, the Village Board created the Gouveia Park Task Force to develop a plan for the house and property. Over the next six months, members of the task force met regularly to discuss their vision for the property. In January 2024, the task force submitted a memo of recommendation to the Village Board. Included in the memo was the recommendation that the house be named in honor of Ann Gallelli, which was heartily endorsed by the Board of Trustees.
Village Mayor Brian Pugh said, “Today we dedicate the future REAL (Recreation, Event, Art & Learning) Space at Gouveia Park to the memory of Ann Gallelli. Ann dedicated more than 35 years of her life to our village. From Croton Point Avenue to Maple Commons to Croton Landing, Ann worked to improve every corner of our community. Ann had the vision to turn this generous bequest into what will be an amenity that will enrich the lives of generations of villagers. We thank the Gouveia family for donating this park to Croton-on-Hudson and the Gallelli family for sharing Ann with our village.”
“My mother dedicated over 35 years to the Village of Croton-on-Hudson because she loved this community deeply and believed in the power of public spaces like Gouveia Park to bring people together. She never sought recognition, but this dedication of a building in her honor reflects the lasting impact of her service—and I know she’d hope it inspires residents to find joy and connection here for years to come,” said John Gallelli Jr.
Additional information on the future plans for Gouveia Park and the Ann Gallelli REAL Space can be found on the Village’s projects and initiatives page at: https://www.crotononhudson-ny.gov/projects-initiatives/pages/gouveia-park.
