The city of New Rochelle has officially begun construction of a new comfort station at Ward Acres Park, marking another significant milestone in the implementation of the Ward Acres Park Master Plan and the City’s long-term investment in one of New Rochelle’s most treasured natural resources.
The project continues the evolution of Ward Acres Park, a 68-acre preserve whose history dates back to the 1880s as Hillandale Farm, one of the region’s premier horse-breeding estates. Located along Quaker Ridge Road, the new facility will include two public restrooms and a storage room to better serve park visitors and Parks Department operations. Site preparation is currently underway and includes utility work, grading, and infrastructure improvements necessary to support the new building. Temporary lane closures along Quaker Ridge Road will occur periodically during construction.
“Ward Acres Park is one of New Rochelle’s crown jewels, and today’s groundbreaking reflects our City’s ongoing commitment
to preserving and enhancing the places that make our community so special,” said Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert. “This project demonstrates what can be accomplished when a community comes together around a shared vision.”
The comfort station is one component of a comprehensive series of capital improvements designed to enhance accessibility, expand amenities, and strengthen the visitor experience while preserving the park’s unique ecological and historic character. The projects represent years of planning, public engagement, and collaboration with residents and community stakeholders and are guided by the Ward Acres Park Master Plan adopted in 2022.
The comfort station is the latest project in a broader capital improvement program that is enhancing Ward Acres Park.
“Every improvement at Ward Acres is guided by a simple principle: enhance the visitor experience while protecting the landscape and history that make this park unique,” said Parks Commissioner Vin Parise. “Whether visitors come to hike the trails, enjoy the Community Garden, explore nature, or spend time at Paws Place—one of the largest dog parks in Westchester County—these projects will make the park safer, more accessible, and more enjoyable while preserving the environmental and
historic character that generations of residents have come to value.”
The City has assembled funding for the improvements through a combination of local, state, and federal sources, allowing projects to advance without relying on a single funding stream. Funding has been secured through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, New York State Recreational Trails Program, City Capital funds, and Open Space Funds generated through New Rochelle’s development program. By leveraging these diverse
funding sources, the City has been able to maximize outside investment while continuing to advance multiple projects identified in the Master Plan.
