County Executive Robert P. Astorino has asked the Board of Legislators to approve the bonding for $1.4 million of capital projects that would fund important upgrades to existing recreation facilities across the county.

“Our parks are a vital part of the fabric of our county,” said Astorino. “Each of these projects will help ensure that Westchester families can continue to enjoy these public treasures for many years to come.”

The bond acts, which cover design work, include:

• $400,000 to improve and expand the parking lot at Willson’s Woods Park in Mount Vernon. The work will also include construction of a new storage building, re-paving the entrance drive and pathways, upgraded lighting throughout the park, rehabilitation of the lake and spillway and associated site work and landscaping. Attendance has increased nearly 200 percent following the opening of a new wave pool and renovations to the facility, thereby increasing the need for an expanded parking lot to eliminate congestion and ensure safe parking of cars throughout the park.

• $340,000 for a new nature center and infrastructure improvements at the Cranbury Lake Preserve in North Castle. Cranbury Lake Preserve serves well over 11,000 visitors annually and provides outdoor programs for over 40 school and scout groups. The new nature center will better serve visitors and provide space for educational programs. The project includes a new building to be designed with green technology, which will contain an activities room, office, utility room, restroom, as well as outdoor classroom space and new communications/data line.

• $650,000 for a new pathway on the Bronx River Reservation from Midland Avenue to the Oak Street Loop in Yonkers, including improvement and resurfacing of the existing Oak Street Loop Path.