Yonkers, NY—Westchester Land Trust (WLT), a nationally accredited land conservation nonprofit headquartered in Bedford Hills, NY, announced the permanent protection of land in the historic Park Hill neighborhood of Yonkers. Preserved in perpetuity by a conservation easement, the land provides scenic enjoyment and open space within a heavily developed city. The newly preserved lots are close to a property protected earlier in 2023 by WLT, creating a swath of permanently protected green space in this urban environment.

The property features large trees, a garden, and rocky outcrops. It is in the Hudson River Estuary and drains into Tibbetts Brook, which flows into Van Cortlandt Lake and eventually into the Harlem River. Protecting water quality in Tibbetts Brook is a priority of the New York City Parks Department.

Residential yard in Yonkers in the fall.

The new conservation easement in the Park Hill neighborhood of Yonkers builds upon previously protected lots in the area.

The easement is located less than a quarter mile from Pelton Park, a central hub of the Yonkers Greenway. Led by the City of Yonkers and Groundwork Hudson Valley, the Yonkers Greenway is creating an urban trail for walking, running, and biking along a branch of the abandoned Putnam Railroad. It will eventually stretch from New York City’s Van Cortlandt Park to the downtown Yonkers waterfront, connecting underserved neighborhoods to parklands.

“There is an ever-increasing need for natural, green spaces in urban areas, and we’re pleased to see this land protected forever, thanks to the passion and dedication of the residents that call this place home,” said Janelle Robbins, vice president of conservation at WLT. “Neil and Joyce Sullivan have carefully looked after this land as a place of serenity and enjoyment in their community and we applaud them for working with WLT to protect it forever.”

“Everyone needs access to trees, fresh air, and the tranquility that comes with nature,” said Gentian Falstrom, land projects manager at WLT. “Nature deserves to be protected, and whether we’re conserving smaller parcels of land in cities or wild expanses in rural areas, it all makes a difference.”

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About Westchester Land Trust

Westchester Land Trust works with public and private partners to preserve land in perpetuity and to enhance the natural resources in Westchester and eastern Putnam counties—a densely populated region under persistent threat from the pressures of development. Founded in 1988, WLT has preserved 9,250 acres of open space. More than 1,112 acres of land are owned by the organization which are free and open to the public year-round. WLT was one of the first land trusts in the nation to receive accreditation through the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.