MOUNT KISCO, N.Y. - A 22-year-old Mount Kisco man is facing arson charges following a fire that significantly damaged the decking of the Tea House in Leonard Park.
The beloved structure, aka The Pagoda, is in line for possible landmarking by the village, which was just about to embark on a much-needed restoration project there.
The structure itself suffered minor damage.
The fire happened on Thursday, April 17.
Erik Hernandez Regalado, 22, of Lexington Avenue was charged with Arson 3rd Degree and Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree, both felonies, according to Westchester County Police.
He was arraigned in Mount Kisco Justice Court before Judge Mark Farrell and sent to the Westchester County Jail in Valhalla. He is due back in village court on April 24.
Ironically, this is the second time the Tea House has been torched. The deck was destroyed in April 2016 by a fire allegedly set by an unknown woman. Again, quick action by local first responders was able to save the structure itself.
Police and firefighters were notified of the fire around 5:11 p.m.
Witnesses reported seeing a man fleeing the area on a battery-powered scooter.
Within minutes, an officer spotted a man walking the scooter through the parking lot of Optum at 34 South Bedford Road.
The officer detained the suspect and took him into custody after a witness identified him as the person seen leaving the scene of the fire.
Regalado was charged after a subsequent investigation by patrol officers and a detective from the General Investigations Unit.
The County Police Forensic Investigation processed the crime scene. The Cause and Origin team from the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services also responded to assist the fire investigation.
For safety reasons, the Tea House has been temporarily roped off. Events such as the upcoming Arbor Day celebrations will probably have to be moved elsewhere.
Community Responds
The Tea House and adjoining Wallace Pond have been the places where many happy childhood memories such as fishing and ice-skating were made for Mount Kisco folks.
They are also iconic – image-wise.
“It’s one of the first things people see when they get off Route 684 and travel into the village. That makes a statement about what Mount Kisco is,” said Mayor J. Michael Cindrich.
Praising the fire department for saving the Tea House and police for quickly apprehending a suspect, Deputy Mayor Theresa Flora said she and many others are saddened.
“People were crying,” when they found out what happened because, she said, they respected and understood the “value” of the building.
“It’s very special to people here,” Flora added.
Tea House History
The Tea House was donated to Leonard Park in 1965 by Lila Acheson Wallace, an American philanthropist and co-founder of The Reader’s Digest, along with her husband, DeWitt.
Ten years prior, the couple had contributed 23 of the 105 acres that were developed into the park which playfields, tennis courts, a pool, and nature trails.
It cost $75,000 to build.
Quoted in a New York Times article, Wallace said: “I thought how lovely it would be if amid all the lively activity going on in Leonard Park there could be a quiet place, too.”
She saw it as kind of a sanctuary where “children or adults can come to read or watch birds or just sit quietly and enjoy the many beautiful things in the park area.”
It was to have a large fireplace for skaters, skiers, and sledders to warm up in. There were benches to accommodate at least 30 people.
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