"After many years of litigation the old Kirby Pond, which covered 160 acres of land, was yesterday drained and has become one of the things of the past. It was owned by old Judge Leonard, who is now stricken down with apoplexy and he has had a hard fight in the courts to drain it. He was opposed by the people generally, who feared that the draining would prove deleterious to the public health of the village, and by the Spencer Optical Works, which were situated on its banks and in whose business it was an important factor. Not long ago, however, they had a good offer made them and removed to Newark, N.J., and taking a large number of operatives with them and throwing many more who could not go out of employment. The people of the village were present in full force yesterday to see the pond drained and, armed with pitchforks, succeeded in catching or spearing a great quantity of fish. A large number of dead fish were left on the muddy bottom, and it is feared that they will create an unpleasant effluvium and possibly cause sickness unless the weather continues cold. Taking it as a whole, the community regard the draining of the pond as a detriment and a calamity to the village."
-The New York Times, 7 December 1888
"Leonard Park is a center of outdoor fun today thanks to two generous families who donated part of their good fortune to the village more than a decade ago. In 1943 Col. William Leonard decided to grant some 95 acres of his land to the village to be used for park and recreational purposes ... In 1949 the Memorial Pool was constructed on the property in memory of the local men who gave their lives in World War II ... "
-Yonkers Herald Statesman 29 August 1962
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