Chapter 7 Recreation, Open Space and Cultural Resources Planning Base Studies Village of Rye Brook, New York

Home , Angle Fly Preserve, Blind Brook High School

CHAPTER 7 RECREATION, OPEN SPACE AND CULTURAL RESOURCES

7.1 Overview The Village of Rye Brook has close to 3,000 acres of open space, which may be found in public parks and schools, along parkways and natural waterways, at privately-owned country clubs, and within housing developments and corporate parks. These areas are variably designated for both active and passive recreation, open or limited access, or for natural resource conservation. Rye Brook’s parks and open spaces serve as places of recreation and respite, as community gathering places, centers of learning, and as reflections of its culture and history.

Municipal parks and open space account for approximately 34.7% of total land area in the Village of Rye Brook, approximately 0.25 acres per resident. Residents also benefit from nearby regional parks and facilities owned and operated by neighboring municipalities. The Village is located in a region that is rich in recreational resources. Its neighbors within Westchester include the City of Rye, the Village of Port Chester, the Town of North Castle and the Town of Harrison, which provide a variety of both public and private recreational opportunities. The Village’s location on the Connecticut state border affords Rye Brook residents access to a significant num- ber of out-of-state parks, historic sites and nature preserves.

A. Recreational Resources Public parks provide a large portion of the outdoor recreational resources within the Village of Rye Brook; however, other opportunities for outdoor recreation include: Country clubs Walking paths Trailway routes Community centers Schools

B. Open Space The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation defines open space as, ―An area of land or water that either remains in its natural state or is used for agriculture, free from intensive development for residential, commercial, industrial or institutional use.

7-1 May 2012 Prepared by the Westchester County Department of Planning  Village of Rye Brook, NY Planning Base Studies Open Space and Recreation

Westchester Open Space, Parks & Recreation County Airport

Legend  LINCOLN AVE TOWN OF GREENWICH MILESTONE RD Village Parks and Open Space

BELLEFAIR RD

KING ST State Parkway Lands REUNION RD

BELLE FAIR BLVD Private Golf Courses and Recreation

PARADE LN Common Land Homeowners Association Lands. Vacant Properties and Vacant Land with Improvements

INTERNATIONAL DR Cemeteries Institutional and Public Assembly Water Supply Lands Doral

DORAL GREENS DR W Arrowwood Westchester County Airport ¹ Public Schools

PINE TREE DR Community Center ANDERSON HILL RD Other Village Parks and Open Spaces

Blind Brook Miles Country Club 0 0.25 0.5 1

ANDERSON HILL RD COUNTRY RIDGE DR

FAIRLAWN PKY

LINCOLN AVE WHIPPOORWILL RD HOLLY LN 30S 27S

LAWRIDGE DR MAP NOTE: Open Space parcels derived from BOXWOOD PL parcel-based land use data originally compiled from PARKWOOD PL Harkness from 2009 town assessment data containing ORPS

SLEEPY HOLLOW RD (Office of Real Property Services) codes which ROCKINGHORSE TRL Park

PURCHASE ST Blind Brook define specific land use as assigned by local DORCHESTER DR

Ridge Street ARBOR DR ¹ School assessors. For this map, the data was extracted and IVY HILL LN

COUNTRY RIDGE CIR School PARKWAYHUTCHINSON RIVER PKY S Rye Brook condensed into nine open space categories. TREE TOP LN Athletic FieldsBISHOP DR N HARRISON ¹ BAYBERRY LN

29 BISHOP DR S

GREENWAY LN

RIVER HILLANDALE RD 29

LITTLE KINGS LN

PADDOCK RD MEADOWLARK RD WINDINGWOOD RD N ORIOLE PL MAGNOLIA DR

CHURCHILL RD

EAGLES BLF Magnolia CONNECTICUT Meadowlark Park KING ST ParkBOLTON PL EDGEWOOD DR 28 CROSSWAY HUTCHINSON LOCH LN HUTCHINSON RIVER PKY N  COMLY AVE

W RIDGE DR 28 Rich BEECHWOOD BLVD 27 WINDINGWOOD RD S

MARK DR Manor JACQUELINE LN WOODLAND DR OLD ORCHARD RD BOBBIE LN Park BERKLEY DR

LATONIA RD BERKLEY LN HUTCHINSON27 RIVER PKY S CHARLES LN

PineWINTHROP DR ROCK RIDGE DR ACKER DR HUNTER DR BROOKSIDE WAY Ridge JAMES WAY MOHEGAN LN Park BIRCH LN PINE RIDGE RD ARLINGTON PL

KNOLLWOOD DR CARLTON LN RED ROOF DR CANDY LN BETSY BROWN RD

BONWIT RD

ARGYLE RD

OLDOAK RD

TALCOTT RD

W GLEN AVE ELM HILL DR Elm Hill Park INDIAN RD HALSTEAD AVE

Crawford Park TAMARACKRD RIDGE BLVD WESTCHESTER AVE CRAWFORD ST PUTNAM AVE

DEER RUN WESTCHESTER AVE Rye Hills RIDGE BLVD

WINDSOR RD JENNIFER LN TERRACE CT LEE LN Park WILTON RD WILTON COLLEGE AVE

RT-120 BELL PL KENDOLIN LN LONGLEDGE DR BEACON LN

Port Chester US-1

VALLEY TER

MAPLE CT LINCOLN AVE WILTON CIR ¹ High School KENILWORTH RD

PHYLLIS PL BROOK LN NEUTON AVE KING ST JEAN LN

MAYWOOD AVE 10

SUNSET RD N RIDGE ST IRENHYL AVE HIDDEN POND DR

WOODLAND AVE N REGENT ST CROSS WESTCHESTER EXPY AVON CIR RT-120A HAWTHORNE AVE  HILLCRESTAVE

WEBB AVE

WESTCHESTER AVE Port Port Chester

 DIVISION ST  Chester WESTCHESTER AVE  S RIDGE ST

Middle OSBORNE PL Bowman Ave ¹ MILL ST School BARBER PL POLLY PARK RD BOWMAN AVE Park RYE RIDGE PLZ 10 FRANKLIN ST N MAIN ST CROSS WESTCHESTER EXPY

ELLENDALE AVE WESTVIEW AVE ADEE ST ROANOKE AVE RT-120A

CRESCENT PL W WILLIAM ST

DIXON ST BYRAM RIVER PURCHASE ST Roanoke Ave Park Garibaldi Park S PEARL ST µ CROSS WESTCHESTER EXPY WYMAN ST Anthony J. Posillipo S RIDGE ST BROOKRIDGE CT Community Center S MAIN ST

St. S REGENT ST Map 7 - 1 Mary's RIDGECemetery ST BOSTON POST RD Westchester County

Open Space, Parks & Recreation RIDGE ST Department of Plannining HIGH ST  MIDLAND AVE Page 7 - 2  April 2012  Chapter 7 Recreation, Open Space and Cultural Resources Planning Base Studies Village of Rye Brook, New York

Open space can be publicly or privately owned. It includes agricultural and forest land, undeveloped coastal and estuarine lands, undeveloped scenic lands, public parks and preserves. It also includes water bodies such as lakes and bays. The definition of open space depends on the context. In a big city, a vacant lot or a small marsh can be open space. A small park or a narrow corridor for walking or bicycling is open space, though it may be surrounded by developed areas. Cultural and historic resources are part of the heritage of New York State and are often protected along with open space.‖ (source: http://www.dec.ny.gov/ lands/317.html).

For the purposes of this report, open space will include lands associated with: Parkways Airports Corporate sites Public schools Cemeteries Churches Historic properties Figure 7-1. Crawford Park Streams, wetlands, waterways, lakes, ponds Undeveloped/vacant land

7.2 Public Parks The Village of Rye Brook has five main municipal parks within its borders. They are:

Crawford Park (36 acres) is a Town- owned large multi-purpose park located between North Ridge Street and Lincoln Avenue. It includes gardens, lawns, woods, a walking/jogging path, playing fields, and school facilities, as well as the historic Crawford mansion, an early 20th century structure used for wed- dings and special events. The park contains hundreds of mature trees, an ex- pansive lawn, a playground, a large pic- nic pavilion and a sunken garden.

Pine Ridge Park (9 acres) is located on the corner of Latonia Drive and Mohe- gan Lane. This facility has minor and major little league baseball fields, two and a half basketball courts, four tennis Source: Westchester County Department of Planning

7-3 May 2012 Prepared by the Westchester County Department of Planning Chapter 7 Recreation, Open Space and Cultural Resources Planning Base Studies Village of Rye Brook, New York

courts, a playground, a tennis wall, sand box, a walking path, two bathrooms, three water fountains, a storage shed, parking area, and two bathrooms. In Spring 2012, a new scoreboard is planned to be installed at the Old Field at Pine Ridge Park for use by the Rye Brook Little League.

Rye Hills Park (7 acres) is located adjacent to Crawford Park, off Parkridge Court in the Hidden Falls development. It has a walking path, a basketball court, two game tables, a circle ring for storytelling, two water fountains and a belvedere, which overlooks Long Island Sound. (Parking is limited to handi- capped vehicles--other patrons must park in the circle next to Crawford Mansion and walk through the path into the park).

Rich Manor Park (10 acres) is a passive park adjacent to Rock Ridge and Acker Drive. It consists of an open field and has wet- Figure 7-2. Rich Manor Park, lands, flood plains, steep slopes, views of Blind Brook and a Rye Brook, New York path to Woodland Drive.

Photo Source: Westchester County Department of Planning

7-4 May 2012 Prepared by the Westchester County Department of Planning Chapter 7 Recreation, Open Space and Cultural Resources Planning Base Studies Village of Rye Brook, New York

Figure 7-3. Rye Brook Athletic Fields

Photo Source: Westchester County Department of Planning

Rye Brook Athletic Fields (6 acres) is the Village’s newest recreational facility, located at 830 King Street, adjacent to Blind Brook High School. This complex includes artificial turf foot- ball and soccer fields, a baseball/softball field for youth, a full- size soccer field, a walking path, a concession stand, a storage garage, and bathrooms. Parking for this facility is in the Blind Brook High School campus. This facility is available for rent on a permit basis, and reservations for field use can be made by the public online.

Smaller Rye Brook public parks include:

Harkness Park (4 acres) is located on King Street adjacent to the Blind Brook High School campus. Harkness Park has four tennis courts, water fountains and an open field.

Garibaldi Park (2 acres) is located on Garibaldi Place opposite the Anthony J. Posillipo Community Center. This facility has a tennis court, two basketball courts, minor little league baseball

7-5 May 2012 Prepared by the Westchester County Department of Planning Chapter 7 Recreation, Open Space and Cultural Resources Planning Base Studies Village of Rye Brook, New York

and softball fields, a playground, two water fountains, two bath- Rye Brook Department of rooms and a storage shed. Parks and Recreation 938 King Street, Rye Brook, Meadowlark Park (2 acres) is an undeveloped park approved New York 10573 as a stormwater management facility with a detention basin, wetlands, flood plains and steep slopes. Rye Brook’s Department of Parks and Recreation is re- Magnolia Park is a passive park with an open field located on sponsible for maintaining the Magnolia Drive. Village’s municipal open space. The department oper- Roanoke Park (2 acres) consists of an open lawn area and is ates organized activities for located in a floodplain. the public and/or special events in the Village Parks, Elm Hill Park (2 acres) is undeveloped land located adjacent to including a wide range of Crawford Park. sports (basketball, tennis, soccer, floor hockey, la- Bowman Avenue (2 acres) is privately-owned by K& M Realty crosse, ice skating), teen, Group. It is approved for a park on private property that is youth and adult programs, planned to be dedicated to the Village. It has wetlands, ponds, programs for seniors and flood plains and steep slope areas. people w/ disabilities, (classes, trips, educational Other local recreational facilities available to Rye Brook residents programs), and seasonal spe- include: cial events. Rye Town Park — Located in the City of Rye, this 62-acre preserve on Long Island Sound has 28 acres of lawns and paths Telephone Numbers: with mature plantings, rolling hills, benches, a naturalized duck Office: (914) 939-3235 pond, and a beachfront and swimming area of 34 acres. The Parks Department: 939-1796 beach is open to the general public. Residents of Rye Brook, Rye City, Port Chester, and Rye Neck may purchase seasonal permits with discounts for parking and beach access. Non- residents can also purchase seasonal permits for higher fees. Daily admission fees are available for both residents and non- residents. A variety of scheduled activities take place at Rye Town Park throughout the year, particularly during the spring, summer and fall months.

Anthony J. Posillipo Community Center (< 1 acre) – Located at 32 Garibaldi Place, this Rye Brook facility includes a meeting room, teen center, a crafts room, TV room, pool room and a full -size basement. Recreational, social and enrichment activities are available at the Center for all age groups including after- school programs, lectures, small group activities, day and over- night trips and special support for senior citizens, including hot meals, exercise classes, and health-related screenings. On week- ends the facility is available for rent by community residents The Village also hosts an indoor farmer’s market here.

7-6 May 2012 Prepared by the Westchester County Department of Planning Chapter 7 Recreation, Open Space and Cultural Resources Planning Base Studies Village of Rye Brook, New York

Figure 7-4. Rye Town Park

Photo Source: Westchester County Department of Planning

Brief History of Rye Town Park The Rye Town Park was established in 1907 by an act of the New York Legislature. The main building complex, completed in 1909, includes a two-towered administration building, pavil- ions, restaurant and service facilities with Spanish style archi- tecture, water views, and beach access to Long Island Sound. Many of the park’s trees and shrubs have been labeled with their common and Latin names. After dark, several of the park paths are illuminated by old-fashioned streetlights. There are three sets of bathrooms. The restaurant operates two beach Photo Source: http://townof ryeny.com snack bars – one at the middle beach area and the other at the north beach. Beach supplies and apparel can be purchased, as well.

The park's crescent-shaped 1,200-foot long white sand beach offers the general public splendid access to the shores of the Long Island Sound. Three gates provide access to the beach. The north gate is near Rye Beach Avenue, and the south gate is on Dearborn Avenue. The center gate, which is usually the busi- est, is located next to Seaside Johnnie’s Restaurant. Source: Town of Rye

7-7 May 2012 Prepared by the Westchester County Department of Planning HARRISON MERRITT PATHWAY Not yet programmed for HUTCHINSON PATHWAY design/construction CONNECTICUT Not yet programmed for (ConnDOT jurisdiction) HAMILTON AVENUE/BROADWAY design/construction Existing City of White Plains Bike Route (NYSDOT jurisdiction)

EAST COAST GREENWAY on-road bike route (from ConnDOT bicyclemap) GREENBURGH WHITE PORT PLAINS CHESTER

WESTCHESTER AVENUE

PATHWAY 2008 TEP Grant Request

BRONX RIVER PATHWAY PLAYLAND PATHWAY To be designed 2009 Funded for rehab & expansion Completion 2010 Design 2009, Construc. 2010 SCARSDALE PROPOSED BIKE ROUTE 1

YONKERS RIVER

D NEW N U O ROCHELLE S

PROPOSED BIKE ROUTE 1 D N A (Exact route not finalized) L IS

G N BRONX RIVER PATHWAY O County and City of Yonkers Project. L 2009 design, 2010 construction Legend MOUNT VERNON Existing Off-Road Path

BRONX Off-Road Path Under Construction

PELHAM Proposed Off-Road Path MANOR Existing On-Road Bike Route BRONX Bronx Greenway System Proposed On-Road Bike Route

Bronx Section Bronx River Pathway

Map Preparedby the Proposed East Coast Greenway Routes Westchester County Department of Planning Westchester County, NY Updated June 2008 WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NEW YORK

PE ACH

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M A N T LAK E U LINCOLNDALE P

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R H N M CROM T O H POND R LASD ON L E W I S B O R O A N LASD ON S IC O L N BIRD SANCT. A PAR K K E T N O O C S U Y O R K T O W N M E

MOHANSIC C BLUE MOUNTAIN PAR K MUSCOOT RESERVATION & T FAR M C GOLF COURSE DONALD J. TRUMP ROS S R IV Buchanan ER TWIN STATE PAR K LAK ES I

(French Hill) C N.Y.S. R DE C ES ER VO WARD POUND RIDGE C O R T L A N D T IR U DICKE RSON POND JO HN JAY HIL LTO P HOM ES TE AD RESERVATION T BR IAR CL IFF - HA NOV ER STATE N.Y.S. PAR K LAK E ME AHA GH DE C

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L R B PAR K Y I L E T R I M S E I P O U N D R IN D G E I R Croton A R V R T O

C I R L I F on CR OTON F - GORGE Y PAR K A GRUPE S TEA TOWN Hudson W L RES LAK E I

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CR OTON N Briarcliff Manor LAK E Pleasantville N O C N O R T H C A S T L E

OLD TOTAL

ROCKEFELLER POC AN TICO OPEN SPACE CATEGORIES

STATE PAR K E LAKE K PRESERVE A GRAHAM HILLS L PAR K O ACREAGE C I PAR K T N A C O P

S ER VE E 17,843.8 R P RK PA E County Parklands T TA R S R O LE M O U N T P L E A S A N T C K E FEL 8,483.7 ROCKEFELLER State Parklands Sleepy STATE PAR K

R I O PRESERVE V R E Hollow S KIN GSL AN D E R POIN T O 8,592.8 IC PAR K S

EN K Local Parks

RE SE OWN RVOIR YT RR TA TAR RY TO WN CR AN BE RR Y 5,646.7 LAKE S Nature Preserves SOU TH LAKE PAR K /

BU TTER M ILK KEN SIC O RYE RID GE C DA M P LAZA PRESERVE OUN LAK E T Y N IO T 10,844.9 GLEN VI LLE T A C R V WOODS A R IL E Private Recreation W S A E O Y Tarrytown R

WHITE PLAINS N RES ERV OIRS FORES T LAK E NO . 1 N WASH IN GTON R 8,231.5 HD QS E MIL LER Public Institutions I HIL L

NO . 2 C V TAXTER Elmsford COU N TY T E RID GE SILVER LAKE PAR K WATE RFR ON T I R 6,871.3 Y PAR K A W C IL Private Institutions RA T SILVE R LA KE U

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E Y W V. E VER IT WHITE PLAINS O MAC Y P K. R J K HA RTSB ROO K 11,981.1 E PRESERVE R Water Supply Lands* S E Ardsley X N Port Y Dobbs Ferry O MAP LEM OOR R B GOLF R Y E COU R SE Chester Farms, Stables and Nurseries** 10,021.7

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SOUTH E E

K S A R KIRBY L U GRA HA M K N POND I O R A C WIN D HA M A R P F P L E S O G G D LEN OIR I R 104,093.5 COUNTY OPEN SPACES TOTAL ACREAGE PRES. N I

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O A PLAYL AN D T R WOODS P TOTAL ACREAGE OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY

O S 287,997.9 PAR K T PAR K

R Y S

C S A

R S G

E RES ERV OIR This map is a result of a comprehensive county-wide update to the 1994 major open spaces GIS data layer and NO . 1 H R Y E MAL C OLM map completed in 2006. This Open Spaces map is periodically updated to reflect selected new open space WIL SON MAR SH L AN DS e C o CONSERVANCY SHE LDRA KE M A M A R O N E C K h acquisitions such as county and state parks and water supply lands. Acreage summaries were calculated using a T LAK E RIV ER k OLD c TW IN Mamaroneck u S LAKE S GIS (Geographic Information System) and may not reflect actual deeded acreage figures. It includes 12 open YONKERS T PARRES ERV K OIR NO . 3 VA N AMRINGE A MILLP OND space categories and includes many smaller properties that were not previously mapped including many parcels E under 5 acres. A wide variety of sources were used to compile this information, including current aerial NEW

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R Bronxville photography, digital tax parcels, and local recreation, land use and master plan maps. Other information sources HA BIR SH AW O RES ERV OIR U

O PAR K O NO . 2 W C

N included municipal planning departments and consultants, municipal Conservation Advisory Committees (CAC’s) F U L ROCHELLE D O NATUR E G STUD Y WOODS and the Westchester Land Trust.

HUGUE NOT LAK E

K * Acreage for Water Supply Lands includes dry land area only. New York City Water Supply Lands acreage total R A Larchmont P

K X O N (digitally calculated) in Westchester County is approximately 8,444 acres. Reservoir acreage is included with the O O

R R B B

S GLEN W OOD Major Waterbodies category, which includes all interior waterbodies larger than nine acres. T T MOUNT LAKE D E

B N I T WIL LSON S U H WOODS IL L O V PAR K I ** Properties classified as Farms were primarily derived from the Westchester County Agricultural District E VERNON R W S E S E R V O established in 2000. I LIBRARY G REEN D R N C I A T Pelham Y L This map was created by the Westchester County Department of Planning’s Geographic Information System O IS F G (GIS) using ArcGIS 9.2. Geographic information is based on the New York State Plane Coordinate System - N East Zone Grid, North American Datum 1983. The map base utilizes digital data obtained from NYSDOT and Pelham O L developed in-house by Westchester County. Manor N E W This Open Spaces Map is periodically updated to reflect selected new open space acquisitions such as county and GLEN ISLA ND state parks and water supply lands. The Open Spaces data layer can be viewed and downloaded in GIS format Y PAR K O R K µ from the County's GIS website at http://giswww.westchestergov.com. 1 0.5 0 1 2 Miles

WESTCHESTER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING

432 Michaelian Office Building 148 Martine Avenue White Plains, New York 10601 Open Spaces www.westchestergov.com/planning

Page 7 - 9 Chapter 7 Recreation, Open Space and Cultural Resources Planning Base Studies Village of Rye Brook, New York

Figure 7-5. Doral-Arrowwood Hotel Conference Center

Photo Source: Westchester County Department of Planning

Blind Brook Country Club – The privately-owned club, located at 980 Anderson Hill Road, has 160 acres, with an 18-hole golf course.

Doral-Arrowwood Hotel Conference Center — The approximately 114-acre private facility contains a 9-hole golf course, housing development, parking lots and clubhouse with outbuild- ings complex. It is currently zoned to permit single-family resi- dences on 20,000 square-foot lots.

7-10 May 2012 Prepared by the Westchester County Department of Planning Chapter 7 Recreation, Open Space and Cultural Resources Planning Base Studies Village of Rye Brook, New York

7.3 School Facilities Ridge Street School – (15 acres) Located at 390 North Ridge Street, facilities include baseball, soccer, and softball fields, outdoor basketball courts, a playground, two gymnasiums and a multi-purpose room.

Blind Brook High School/Middle School – The 21-acre campus at 840 King Street, includes soccer and baseball fields, two gymnasiums and an auditorium.

Port Chester High School – Located at One Tamarack Road in the Village of Port Chester, the 24 acre campus was built on the grounds of the former Port Chester Country Club. The school has 6 acres of open space with a gymnasium, ball fields and tennis courts.

Port Chester Middle School – Located at 113 Bowman Ave- nue in Port Chester, the campus has school recreational facilities and 23 acres of open space.

7.4 Bicycle Routes/Trailways A segment of the East Coast Greenway, a developing trail system spanning 2,750 miles between Canada and Key West, Florida, is Trailway Planning planned to cross through the northern corner of Rye Brook. The in Rye Brook Proposed East Coast Greenway Routes are shown on the Map 7.2. Included in the Village of There has been some discussion regarding the creation of a Hutchin- Rye Brook 2000 Vision Plan son/Merritt Pathway which would utilize the green right-of-way of is the goal of establishing of the Hutchinson and Merritt Parkways, a portion of which would run a committee consisting of through Rye Brook. There are no immediate plans in place to imple- representatives from Village ment this project. Boards, adjacent communities and large property own- 7.5 Parks & Open Space ers to undertake a study to Open space in Westchester County is shown in Map 7.3. In Rye identify existing pathways Brook, open space is the second largest land use category compris- and evaluate the feasibility of ing more than 400 acres or 18 percent of the Village’s land area. creating a pathway system This includes both public parks (106 acres) and private open space along Blind Brook extending (303 acres) such as the Arrowwood/Doral Greens Golf Course and from SUNY Purchase to Blind Brook Club located along Anderson Hill Road. Acreage of neighborhoods located south open space parcels in Rye Brook are listed in Figure 7.6. of Blind Brook Club and along Blind Brook from Key open space elements in Rye Brook are: Westchester Avenue to Bow- Westchester County Airport — Almost 200 acres of the air- man Avenue. port is located in the Village, making it the largest single land use in the Village.

7-11 May 2012 Prepared by the Westchester County Department of Planning Chapter 7 Recreation, Open Space and Cultural Resources Planning Base Studies Village of Rye Brook, New York

Source: Prepared by the Westchester Figure 7-6. Village of Rye Brook Major Open Spaces County Department of Planning, No- Name Designation Acreage vember 2004. Hutchinson River Parkway Lands State Parks/Parkway Lands 81 Based on an open space mapping update con- ducted in 2004 and includes thirteen categories Crawford Park Local Parks & Open Space 36 of both protected and unprotected open space lands that are viewed as part of the county's open Harkness Park Local Parks & Open Space 4 space network. Acreage summaries were calculated using GIS (Geographic Information Sys- Pine Ridge Park Local Parks & Open Space 9 tem) and may not reflect actual deeded acreage figures. A two-acre minimum threshold was Rich Manor Park Local Parks & Open Space 12 established except in cases where there were smaller contiguous parcels or groupings of par- Rye Hills Park Local Parks & Open Space 7 cels under the same ownership. Properties classified as farms were primarily derived from the Arrowwood Golf Course Private Recreation Facility 72 Westchester County Agricultural District established in 2000. BelleFair Open Space Private Recreation Facility 60 Blind Brook Country Club Private Recreation Facility 166 Blind Brook High School Public Institutions 26 Port Chester High School Public Institutions 6 Port Chester Middle School Public Institutions 22 Ridge Street School Public Institutions 29 Westchester County Airport Public Institutions 206 King Street Nursing Home Private Institutions 13 St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Private Institutions 5 St. Mary’s Cemetery Cemeteries 18 TOTAL 770

Hutchinson River Parkway Lands — A total of 81 acres of open space create a green corridor along the Hutchinson Park- way, which traverses the northern end of Rye Brook. Past Inter- state-684, the parkway heads east and north into the town of Rye and the Village of Rye Brook, where it connects to New York Route 120A and becomes the Merritt Parkway at the Rye Brook/Connecticut state line.

BelleFair — A private housing association at 24 BelleFair Blvd. in Rye Brook with 261 single-family homes, a meeting house, village green and a large enclosed playground. The site contains wetlands, open space (60 acres) and a Village composting site.

St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church — The church property at 761 King Street in Rye Brook has 5 acres of open space.

King Street Nursing Home is located at 787 King Street in Rye Brook on the border of the Greenwich, CT town line and has 13 acres of rolling hills and open green space.

7-12 May 2012 Prepared by the Westchester County Department of Planning Chapter 7 Recreation, Open Space and Cultural Resources Planning Base Studies Village of Rye Brook, New York

Figure 7-7. Hutchinson River Parkway Hutchinson River Parkway In 1924, the Westchester County Parks Commission rec- ommended construction of a new north-south parkway in the eastern part of the county. At that time, Boston Post Road (which became US 1 in 1926), the primary north-south route along Long Island Sound between New York City and New England, had become clogged with automobile and truck traf- fic seven days a week. More- over, the rapid growth of Mount Vernon, Pelham, New Rochelle, Eastchester and Port Chester threatened the water supply of these communities. Preservation of right-of-way for a parkway along the Hutchinson River would offer relief along US 1 by providing a faster, more scenic route for automobiles. It would also furnish parks for local residents and protect water supplies. Photo Source: Westchester County Department of Planning

Figure 7-8. BelleFair Planned Unit Development

Photo Source: Westchester County Department of Planning

7-13 May 2012 Prepared by the Westchester County Department of Planning Chapter 7 Recreation, Open Space and Cultural Resources Planning Base Studies Village of Rye Brook, New York

Figure 7-9. William E. Ward House

The William E. Ward House, located on Comly Avenue, is the only property in the Village of Rye Brook which is on the National Register of Historic Places. The property and the house are on the border with Greenwich, Connecticut. Built between 1873 and 1876, the imposing castle- like residence is famous for it being the first and oldest extant reinforced concrete structure in the United States. Named for its builder, a mechanical engi- neer, only the doors, frames, windows and trim are of wood. The building is also locally known for its past use as the Museum of Car- Photo Source: Westchester County Department of Planning toon Art between 1976 and 1992. The house was listed St. Mary's Cemetery (18 acres) is located the southern most on the National Register in end of the Rye Brook between High Street, South Ridge Street 1976 and was later jointly and I-287. designated as a National Historic Civil and Concrete William E. Ward House (8 acres) — Known locally as Ward's Engineering Landmark by Castle, this historic property is located on the state line between the American Concrete Insti- Rye Brook, New York and Greenwich, Connecticut. tute and the American Soci- ety of Civil Engineers. The 7.6 Undeveloped Land house is currently a private Little undeveloped land remains in the Village and much of which residence. Sources: U.S. Parks Service, National currently exists has either valid or pending approvals for develop- Register of Historic Places; American ment projects. Society of Civil Engineers The Village of Rye Brook owns an undeveloped 24-acre property consisting of two contiguous parcels in the northern-most portion of the Village, on the south side of Lincoln Avenue between King Street and the municipal boundary of the Town./Village of Harrison. The two parcels were dedicated to the Village as part of the development of the BelleFair community for recreation and general municipal use. Both parcels may allow the Village the opportunity to develop a recreational facility for Village residents.

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The smaller of the two parcels, located at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and King Street, is nine acres. The larger parcel is 16 acres and is located to the west and adjacent to the smaller parcel. The western boundary of the larger parcel is adjacent to, and surrounds on three sides, a third, five-acre Village-owned parcel, currently used as a composting facility. The property is bounded on the north by Lincoln Avenue, to the east by King Street, to the south by the BelleFair residential subdivision and to the west by land owned by Purchase College of the State University of New York (SUNY Pur- chase). Although all of the smaller lot, and most of the larger, are in the Village of Rye Brook, a very small portion of the southwestern corner of the larger lot is on the west side of the Blind Brook in the Town of Harrison. There is an easement on a portion of the larger lot that gives Westchester County the right to trim trees within the easement. The easement extends 200 feet south from the Lincoln Avenue property line and runs parallel to the property line approximately 600 feet to the east and 600 feet to the west of the centerline of Westchester County Airport. A portion of the easement is on the parcel used as a composting facility.

Both parcels contain areas of wetlands and watercourses, the largest area of which is situated on the smaller lot. The Blind Brook crosses the southwestern corner of the larger lot. A secondary emergency access road for BelleFair that crosses a stream channel is also located on the smaller lot. Both lots contain some steep slopes as well as structures, including a concrete dam and spillway, culverts, foot paths, old roads, dry rock walls and concrete foundations for a lost structure.

Aside from one small open area on the larger lot, the site is largely occupied by deciduous woodlands. The open area is located at the end of an old road leading south from the Village compost facility. On the smaller parcel, the wetland has a small open area of shrub cover, but it too is mostly wooded.

Both parcels are generally sloped away from King Street and Lin- coln Avenue down towards watercourse and wetland areas on each lot. These slopes are between 10 and 15 percent. There are isolated sloped areas that would be classified as moderately steep slopes (15 to 25 percent) and very steep slopes (25 to 35 percent).

7.7 National Recreation & Park Association Standards A. Mini-Parks (Example in Rye Brook: Magnolia Park.) These small parks focus on limited, unique, or isolated recreational needs. They are special- ized facilities that serve a concentration or limited population or specific group such as tots or senior citizens.

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Service Area: Less than ¼ - mile radius, Desired Size: one acre or less Acres per 1,000 Population: ¼ to ½ acres Desired Site Characteristics: These parks should be situated within neighborhoods and in close proximity to apartment Figure 7-10. Magnolia Park complexes, townhouse development, and/or housing for the elderly. Users should be able to see the opposite end of a mini-park.

B. Neighborhood Parks (Example in Rye Brook: Pine Ridge Park). Small and large neighborhood parks offer similar recreation opportunities; however, the larger neighborhood parks generally feature between five and 10 acres in size. (This is a modification of the previous NRPA standard for neighborhood parks that calls for one to two acres of Photo Source: Westchester County De- parkland per 1,000 people.) Small and large neighborhood parks partment of Planning can provide both passive and active recreation. In general, they feature areas for intense recreational activities, such as ball field games, court games, crafts, playground equipment, skating, picnicking, and more. Undeveloped natural areas are also desirable in these parks. Service Area: ¼ to ½ mile radius, Desired Size: Small: one to five acres; Large: five to ten acres Acres per 1,000 Population: one to two acres Desired Site Characteristics: These parks should be suited for intense development and be easily accessible to the neighborhood. Ideally, they should be geographically centered with safe walking and bike access. These parks can be developed as school – park facilities.

C. Community Parks (Example in Rye Brook: Crawford Park). These park components focus on serving larger, community-wide outdoor recreational needs. General Use: These parks have areas of diverse environ-

Figure 7-11. Standards for Parkland, National Recreation and Parks Association Park Type Acres/1000 Population Minimum Size Service Area Radius Mini-Park 0.25-0.50 1 acre or less < .25 mile/5 minute walk Neighborhood Park 1.0-2.0 15 acres .5 mile/12 minute walk Community Park 5.0-8.0 25 acres 1-2 miles/5 minute drive Regional Park Variable 200+ acres 30 miles/1 hour drive

For more information on parkland and recreational standards for municipalities, see: http://www.nrpa.org/Professional-Development/Accreditation/CAPRA/CAPRA-Standards/

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mental quality. They may include areas for intense recreational facilities, such as athletic complexes for organized sports, large group picnicking, and community gatherings. They may also feature areas of natural quality for activities such as walking, biking, and viewing that are supported by trail systems. Service Area: Several neighborhoods - One to two mile radius, Desired Size: 30 to 50 acres Acres per 1,000 population: five to eight acres Desired Site Characteristics These parks should be easily accessible to the neighborhoods that are served and include areas for intense outdoor recreational development. Other desirable components include natural features such as water bodies.

D. Special Purpose Parks (Examples in Rye Brook: Garibaldi Park/Anthony J. Posillipo Community Center) These park system components focus on a single use, such as historic preservation or downtown open space. The NRPA has no specific standards for special purpose parks as they are unique to each community. General Use: These parks are centered on a specific environmental feature, historical event or setting and offer a

Figure 7-12. Anthony J. Posillipo Community Center

Photo Source: Westchester County Department of Planning

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unique place that assists in creating a sense of place in the community. Service Area: No applicable standard, Desired Size: Varies Acres per 1,000 population: Varies Desired Site Characteristics: These parks cater to a cultural, historic, or social recreational needs.

E. Urban Green Space Example in Rye Brook: Hutchinson Parkway Lands These park system components are typically made up of lands set aside for preserving drainage corridors, wetlands, or other significant community natural resource areas. The NRPA has no specific standards for these areas. General Use: These features are generally open to the public, but usually do not contain many facilities beyond access points and trail systems. Service Area: No applicable standard, Desired Size: Varies Acres per 1,000 population: Varies Site characteristics vary based on the resource being con- served or protected. Typically, these areas should have nature -based, low impact recreational facilities. These park system components are typically made up of lands set aside for preserving drainage corridors, wetlands, or other significant community natural resource areas. The NRPA has no specific standards for these areas.

SOURCES Village of Rye Brook Action Plan (http://www.ryebrook.org/documents/ administration/visionpln.pdf) Municipal Open Space Acreage Summary, prepared by County of West- chester Dept. of Planning, November, 2004 http://www.greenway.org/ index.shtml http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Merritt-trail-Parkway- concept-could-get-state-566273.php http://www.ryebrook.org/Cit-e-Access/webpage.cfm?TID=31&TPID=3863 http://www.ryebrook.org/cit-e-access/webpage.cfm?TID=31&TPID=3846 http://www.townofryeny.com/ index.phpact=view_cms&id=26&contentFull=full http://townofryeny.com/ryetown/RTP_About%20the%20Park.php http://www.friendsofcrawfordpark.org/about.htm http://www.imortuary.com/cemeteries/new-york/rye-brook/st-marys- cemetery/ http://www.ryebrook.org/documents/administration/epa.pdf http://planning.westchestergov.com/westchester-trails http://www.greenway.org/pdf/ECG_Westchester.pdf http://www.lowermerion.org/archive/osp/osp_eval_os.html http://www.menomonee-falls.org/DocumentView.aspx?DID=418 http://www.nrpa.org/Professional-Development/Accreditation/CAPRA/ CAPRA-Standards/

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http://www.ryebrook.org/FCpdf/2010-11adoptedbudget.pdf http://www.ryebrook.org/FCpdf/Bowman%20Ave%20Dam%20Flood% 20Mitigation%20StudyText_Reduced.pdf http://www.worldgolf.com/resorts/new-york/doral-arrowwood.html http://www.golflink.com/golf-courses/course.aspx?course=771645 http://www.nycroads.com/roads/hutchinson/ http://www.ryebrook.org/documents/building/lincolnfinal.pdf https://www.purchase.edu/AboutPurchase/History.aspx http://www.stpaulsryebrook.com/ http://shs.portchesterschools.org/ http://www.bellefair.org/ http://www.ryebrook.org/FCpdf/Rye%20Brook%20Open%20Space% 20Zone%20Study%20October2010.pdf

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