A lush woodland with pockets of pristine wetland.

Overview

At just 11 acres, this preserve is a protected pocket of wetlands and forest nestled between residential and commercial development.

Ecology

About 60 percent of the preserve is forested wetlands, boasting red maple, white ash, and tulip poplar. The understory here is mostly beech, black cherry, green ash, spicebush, sweet pepperbush, and highbush blueberry.

The balance of the preserve is upland forest, with white, chestnut, red, and black oaks; yellow birch; and sassafras. Serviceberry, spicebush, mountain laurel, sweet pepperbush, and witch hazel make up the understory.

Skunk cabbage and fern are common throughout the property, even popping up in the trails during especially wet springs. Moss-covered boulders dot the preserve—get low to appreciate these tiny plants, like a forest in miniature on each rock.

Listen for songbirds, especially during spring and fall migration. Look for dragonflies darting around the water, feasting on mosquito larvae.

History

This preserve lies within the traditional territories of the Lenape people, and their culture and traditions live on today.

Westchester Land Trust now owns and stewards the land thanks to a gift from William Love in 2000.

The preserve has hosted a number of Scout projects, and in 2025 an Eagle Scout constructed a new bridge, Leopold bench, and kiosk.

---

Know Before You Go

William K. Love Preserve welcomes visitors of all abilities. The following trail information is provided to help all visitors, including those using mobility devices or with other disabilities, plan their visit.

The entrance trail is 0.23 miles that starts out as a generally firm grass path and then transitions to a more uneven forest floor with firm compacted dirt surface and some larger rocky areas.

The trail surface may become slick or uneven after rain. Tread obstacles you may encounter include protruding roots, small rocks, and occasional fallen branches.

After the bridge, the trail connects to a 0.27-mile loop through the woodland portion of the preserve. The trail is compacted dirt, which is generally firm and stable under dry conditions; after rainfall the trail surface may become slick or uneven.

There are no restroom facilities. Please keep our preserves safe by respecting the land, wildlife, and people.

If you have questions about accessibility, adaptive use of the trail, or need specific information to plan your visit, please contact us at 914-234-6992 or info@westchesterlandtrust.org.

---

Conservation Values

The preserve is entirely wooded, with wetlands and mixed deciduous forest that protect Stamford’s Siscowit Reservoir.

• Wetland habitat
• Biodiversity

Activities