Groundwork Hudson Valley Forms Community Working Group for Shade Solutions

Groundwork Hudson Valley has officially launched a community-based working group as part of its “Throwing Shade on Extreme Heat” initiative, funded by Con Edison in partnership with the Hudson River Museum. The project aims to reduce the urban heat island effect in Southwest Yonkers through the design and installation of shade structures in high-priority neighborhoods.

The working group was formed through an expansive outreach campaign that attracted more than 170 applicants. From this pool, 40 participants were selected to represent the diversity of the community—including artists, high school students, and residents from the targeted neighborhoods such as Nodine Hill, Radford, and Northwest Yonkers. Their diverse perspectives will shape the planning of shade structures in three highly impacted public spaces across the city.

These community members will collaborate over the next several months to identify key locations for shade structures and co-design solutions that offer relief from extreme heat. The initiative also includes educational programming in Yonkers public schools and a public exhibition at the Hudson River Museum in September 2025 showcasing the community’s work.

The “Throwing Shade on Extreme Heat” initiative builds on GWHV’s long-standing Climate Safe Neighborhoods program and aligns with the City of Yonkers Climate Action Plan launched in 2023. It represents a model for how public-private partnerships can drive forward climate resilience through creativity, collaboration, and community empowerment.