For generations, Ward Acres Park has been one of New Rochelle’s quiet treasures. Families stroll its wooded trails, gardeners tend community plots, dogs run off leash, and history buffs explore the remnants of a once-grand horse farm tucked within its 68 acres.
Now, after years of planning and collaboration among city officials, volunteers, and community organizations, Ward Acres is undergoing one of the largest investments in its history. The multi-phase revitalization is designed to improve accessibility, safety, and visitor amenities while preserving the natural landscape that has made the park a beloved destination for decades.
“Ward Acres is one of our most actively used and deeply valued public spaces,” city manager Wilfredo Melendez says. “This significant investment reflects a clear shift from vision to visible progress.”
Unlike many park renovations that focus on adding recreational facilities, New Rochelle’s approach centers on thoughtful stewardship. The goal is to make Ward Acres easier to access and navigate without sacrificing the wooded character, historic features, and ecological diversity that define the property.
A Vision Years in the Making
The current improvements are the first visible phase of a long-term plan shaped by extensive community engagement. Since the master plan was adopted in 2022, city staff have worked alongside councilmember Sara Kaye, the Ward Acres Conservancy, the Ward Acres Garden, and residents to prioritize projects that would have the greatest impact at the park.
“Residents told us they wanted safer access, better connectivity, and improvements that respect the park’s natural character,” Melendez says. “That input has helped shape the work now underway.”
For councilmember Sara Kaye, who has helped champion the revitalization, the effort has always been about introducing more residents to a park many have never experienced.
“Our number one mission has been to try to get people into the park,” Kaye says. “We’re so fortunate to have a 68-acre park in New Rochelle, and yet I’ve met lifelong residents who have never visited.”
Kaye says the city shifted its focus from waiting for a single large-scale project to identifying smaller, achievable improvements that could build momentum over time.
“Plans are great, but it’s not uncommon for them to sit on a shelf gathering dust,” she says. “My question from the start was, ‘How do we get to implementation?’”
The resulting plan prioritizes infrastructure improvements while preserving the park’s natural character.
Funding comes from multiple sources, including city capital funds, New York State grants, American Rescue Plan funding, Community Development Block Grant resources, and Open Space funds generated through New Rochelle’s development program.
Securing that funding required a patchwork approach, Kaye says.
“We got really creative. We looked at every possible pot of money, whether it was state grants, Community Development Block Grants, American Rescue Plan funding, or city funds. We hustled to get every dollar we could to support these projects,” she notes.
Improving the Visitor Experience at Ward Acres Park
One of the most noticeable changes will greet visitors before they even enter the park.
The Broadfield Road entrance is being redesigned with a new gateway sign, native landscaping, and natural stone elements intended to create a more welcoming arrival while complementing the park’s rustic aesthetic.
Inside the park, visitors will soon find one of the most requested amenities: a permanent restroom and storage facility near the former barn site along Quaker Ridge Road. The building will provide conveniences for visitors while also supporting park maintenance operations.
Kaye says amenities like restrooms are essential if the city hopes to encourage families and visitors to spend more time enjoying the park.
Improving accessibility is also central to the revitalization effort.
New ADA-accessible pathways made with flexible porous pavement will connect the Broadfield Road entrance to the community garden and the future restroom facility, making key portions of the park more accessible for people with mobility challenges.
The city is also installing a new signalized crosswalk on Broadfield Road to improve pedestrian safety between Ward Elementary School and the park. The crossing is expected to make it easier for students, families, and neighborhood residents to safely access the park on foot.
Finding one’s way through the park should become much easier as well. A comprehensive trail signage and wayfinding system will provide consistent directional markers throughout the park, helping both first-time visitors and longtime users navigate its extensive trail network.
“From restoring historic features to building accessible pathways and improving key entry points, these capital projects are designed to make the park more welcoming and resilient,” Melendez says.
Preserving the Past
While many improvements look toward the future, others focus on protecting Ward Acres’ rich history.
The park occupies land that once formed part of the Ward family’s renowned horse farm. Although much of the estate has disappeared, stone walls, horse burial sites, historic ruins, and original pathways still tell the story of the property’s past.
One of the most significant preservation projects underway is the restoration of the park’s historic stone bridge. Repairs will include new coping stones and stainless steel flashing designed to stabilize the structure while preserving its historic appearance.
The work reflects a broader philosophy that improvements should enhance, rather than erase, the park’s historic character. Today’s walking trails still follow the routes of carriage roads and horse paths laid out more than a century ago, while wooded sections remain remarkably similar to how they appeared during the property’s agricultural era.
Looking Ahead at Ward Acres Park
Even as construction begins on the current improvements, city officials are already planning the park’s next chapter.
The city has launched a visioning process for the former barn site, inviting residents to help shape its long-term future through a public survey and community workshop.
Following a 2023 fire, the barn sustained significant damage. In 2024, the city partially deconstructed the structure because of unsafe conditions while preserving the historic foundation walls and other site features, Kaye says.
She adds that the revitalization has been driven as much by community involvement as by capital improvements. Volunteer trail maintenance days, invasive species removal, native meadow restoration, school plantings, and events such as Goats Fest and Halfway to Earth Day have helped residents become active stewards of the park.
“The park hasn’t changed overnight,” she observes. “It’s changing because we keep showing up year after year, taking the next step and building on that momentum.”
Construction is being completed in phases, allowing most of the park to remain open throughout the project. While visitors may encounter temporary detours or construction activity, city officials say every effort is being made to minimize disruptions and protect the surrounding ecosystem.
“This is the first phase of a sustained commitment to ensuring Ward Acres continues to serve the community for generations,” Melendez notes.
While some improvements in the first phase of the revitalization are expected to be completed by the end of the summer, restroom and signage work will continue into the fall.
A Community Asset Worth Protecting
Ward Acres occupies a unique place among Westchester’s parks.
Its 68 acres include more than 30 acres of woodland, expansive open fields, a community garden, a biodiversity preserve, historic structures, miles of walking trails, and the county’s largest dog park.
The Ward Acres Conservancy, a nonprofit volunteer organization founded in partnership with the city, has long worked to preserve the park’s ecological and historical resources while promoting public access and environmental education. That partnership has helped shape many of the improvements now moving forward.
Kaye says the long-term vision extends beyond infrastructure improvements. She hopes the changes encourage more residents to experience the health benefits of spending time outdoors while building a stronger connection to one of New Rochelle’s largest public green spaces.
She also believes the project belongs as much to residents as it does to the city.
“We’re not creating Ward Acres,” Kaye says. “We’re helping people rediscover it and creating opportunities for residents to build a relationship with this special place.”
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