This land was permanently protected through a conservation easement, which ensures it will remain open space forever. Photo Credit: Colin and Elizabeth Cooke

Two properties of open space in the Park Hill neighborhood of Yonkers were protected by a WLT conservation easement. Photo Credit: Colin and Elizabeth Cooke

Yonkers, NY—Westchester Land Trust (WLT), a nationally accredited land conservation nonprofit headquartered in Bedford Hills, NY, announced the permanent protection of two lots of open space in the historic Park Hill neighborhood of Yonkers. Preserved in perpetuity by a conservation easement, the land provides scenic enjoyment and relief from urban closeness.

Located within the Hudson River Estuary, the property and surrounding area drain 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.

The easement is located less than a quarter mile from Pelton Park, a central hub of the Yonkers Greenway. Led by Groundwork Hudson Valley and the City of Yonkers, 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 Part to the downtown Yonkers waterfront, connecting underserved neighborhoods to green space.

“Protecting this open space in Yonkers is a testament to the dedication of the landowners that call this place home,” said Janelle Robbins, vice president of conservation at WLT. “Colin and Elizabeth Cooke have carefully stewarded this land as a space of tranquility and joy in their neighborhood, and thanks to their efforts, the property will remain open space forever.”

The Cookes began exploring how to permanently protect their parcel of open space after seeing open lots purchased by developers and turned into houses that didn’t fit with the Park Hill neighborhood. They also saw many old growth trees being cut down because of development and wanted to prevent such disturbances from ever threatening the beautiful natural landscapes nestled amongst the more densely developed parts of Yonkers.

“There is a sense of calm and peace around us with open land,” Colin and Elizabeth Cooke said. “Our neighbors appreciate the beauty of our corner lots and there is a broad swath that has no houses. There is a feeling of spaciousness in nature and we always get comments and thanks from people about how much they love our property.”

Signage at the conservation easement highlights the habitat qualities of the land. Photo Credit: Colin and Elizabeth Cooke

The path to protecting the open space didn’t come without challenges. The Cookes first attempted to conserve the land by having their neighborhood officially designated as a historic area. Despite Park Hill’s rich history dating back to the late 1800s, that route proved unsuccessful and the Cookes turned to conservation easements to protect the land. After contacting WLT early last year and working with the land trust for several months, the Cookes successfully conserved their land at the end of 2022.

The property is home to a variety of birds, insects, and other small animals, creating a thriving ecosystem that the Cookes say is vital to human health in their community.

“In a time of climate warming, having undeveloped land surrounding us helps ensure cooler temperatures, healthier air, reduces energy costs, and helps to support the health of the Hudson Valley by not adding to the pollution that would happen if houses were built on those properties,” the Cookes said.

“Small parcels of urban open space are just as important as the larger properties that we protect at Westchester Land Trust,” said Gentian Falstrom, land projects manager at WLT. “All people deserve access to fresh air, trees, and sense of peace that undeveloped land provides. It has been a pleasure to work with the Cookes and we are grateful to them for trusting us to protect this land forever.”