Information seems to be in short supply when it comes to the proposed expansion plans at the Marshlands Conservancy, run by Westchester County Parks. The County says its process is early, and that plans will be in keeping with the current uses of the park, well communicated and seek all the required approvals.
Others express skepticism.
“City staff had heard rumors, but has not been consulted, nor have I,” Rye Mayor Cohn Cohn said late Friday in regards to the Marshlands. “Just as in 2018, the city should be in the conversation and I would hope that the county’s good neighbor approach will prevail.”
The City’s interactions with the County often center around various dramas over the years at Rye Playland, also operated by County Parks. City officials have long been wary of the County in the Playland context – and are still trying to sort out its tax battle with the County. The City has asked the County for a long time for financial assistance for all the police, fire and EMS calls made to Playland.
Marshlands neighbor Jay Heritage Center (JHC) has reason to be a skeptic, as reflected in its letter published Wednesday. Back in 2010, County Parks dumped contaminated fill from Rye Playland on the Jay House property. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC) subsequently directed the County to remove the material and take it to a permitted landfill.
In the current case, JHC has had to demand information from the County via a Freedom of Information Act Request and file an Article 78. It is now sorting through what it says is over 800 pages of materials finally supplied by the County.
“Not ever once,” said General Manager of the Rye Golf Club Chris Correale, when asked if parks officials have ever reached out to the club on this or any other issue. “And it’s like a big mystery over there.”
The Rye Golf Club is part of the Boston Post Road Historic District along with JHC, Marshlands, the Jay Cemetery and the private Lounsbury estate. The golf club abuts the park.
Good Neighbor?
The County’s Good Neighbor Policy, started in 2018 (by current NY-16 Congressman George Latimer), was reaffirmed by Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins this January. “The Good Neighbor Policy reflects Westchester County’s dedication to open government and partnership with our municipalities,” said Jenkins related to the policy.
“By renewing this executive order, we are reaffirming our promise to include local voices in decisions that affect their neighborhoods, ensuring that no significant action on county-owned land proceeds without input from the people who live there.”
Park Official Explains Marshlands Expansion Plan
“We’re looking to build a 2,400 square foot Nature Center in the same spot where the original, where the one is right now. That one is about 900 square feet or so,” First Deputy Commissioner of Westchester County Parks Peter Tartaglia told MyRye.com on Friday.
He said the plan is to also expand the parking from 30 to 50 spots. “We’re not looking to bring in anything other than an expansion of who goes there now, which is basically families, locals, school groups, and we have day camps there in the summer.”
The planning work dates back to 2008 and 2010 and comes in two parts – site work and building work, all only on the concept phase. Tartaglia said some of the confusion and concern may be related to a design for the building from 10-12 years ago that was inadvertently released that had not been through any review or approvals (he said would never have been approved or used). The money for design is not yet bonded. And once that happens, it would be at least 18 months.
“When we receive the proper design money and we go through the design process – that is when we go to all of the agencies,” said Tartaglia.
“This is no different than any other capital project. That’s when we go to DEC… New York State Historic Preservation Office, that’s when all of those agencies are consulted. That’s when we do archeological surveys, if we need to, and so forth.”
MyRye.com has requested the County supply it with documentation including any concept and planning documents. On Thursday, the County sent a three page PDF concept sketch of the proposed nature center – surely there is more available.
“It is encouraging to hear that the County is committed to prioritizing natural resources and historical treasures and serving the existing visitors of this special and very fragile sanctuary,” President of Jay Heritage Center Suzanne Clary told MyRye.com, reacting to the county’s initial comment on her Wednesday letter.
“We are hopeful that this means the appropriate environmental and archaeological reviews including an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Coastal Assessment Form will finally be conducted. That is industry best practices for any property governed by the City of Rye’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan (LWRP). That said, it is disappointing that there is no mention of public engagement about the planning process or consultation with neighbors and stakeholders for a $10,845,000 concept that the County has admittedly been planning for many years. As recently as May 30, 2025, First Deputy Parks Commissioner Peter Tartaglia was asking a County employee for research on the “Marshland property deed, purpose, restrictions etc.” which is information the neighbors and stakeholders have readily in hand and would have been happy to share.
“Those of us who know and love Marshlands, and have long been committed to protecting it, already know its restrictions and purpose, which is why we are again asking – insisting – for transparency and inclusion in discussions to determine its future, as was previously promised.”
Playland can have one director responsible for its oversight. The Marshlands another director.
These two would oversee the properties with the county and be the go to people to administer all facets of operations and political/legal disputes.