Information on proposed expansion plans for the Marshlands Conservancy, operated by Westchester County Parks, appears to be scarce. The county says the process is still in its early stages and that the plans are consistent with the park's current use, are well communicated and all necessary approvals have been obtained.
Others express skepticism.
“City staff had heard rumors but were not consulted, nor have I been consulted,” Rye Mayor Cohn Cohn said late Friday, referring to the marshlands. “Just like 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 over the years often revolve around various dramas at Rye Playland, also operated by County Parks. City officials have long been suspicious of the county in the Playland context – and are still trying to resolve their tax dispute with the county. The city has long asked the county for financial support for all police, fire and emergency services to come to Playland.
Marshlands' neighbor, the Jay Heritage Center (JHC), has reason to be skeptical, as shown in His letter was published on Wednesday. In 2010, County Parks disposed of contaminated fill material from Rye Playland at the Jay House property. The New York Department of Environmental Protection (NYDEC) The district then ordered the material to be removed and disposed of at an approved landfill.
In the current case, the JHC had to request information from the county through a Freedom of Information Act request and file an Article 78. Currently, the company is reportedly combing through over 800 pages of materials that were ultimately provided by the county.
“Not once,” Rye Golf Club general manager Chris Correale said when asked if park officials had ever contacted the club about this or any other matter. “And it’s like a big mystery over there.”
Rye Golf Club is part of the Boston Post Road Historic District along with JHC, Marshlands, Jay Cemetery and the private Lounsbury estate. The golf club borders the park.
Good neighbor?
The county's Good Neighbor Policy was launched in 2018 (by current NY-16 Congressman George Latimer). was affirmed by Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins in January of this year. “The Good Neighbor Policy reflects Westchester County’s commitment to open government and partnership with our communities,” Jenkins said of the policy.
“By renewing this executive order, we are reaffirming our commitment to including the voices of local residents in decisions that affect their neighborhoods, ensuring that no significant action is taken on county-owned land without input from the people who live there.”
Parks official explains Marshlands expansion plan
“We plan to build a 2,400-square-foot nature center in the same location where the original is. That's about 900 square feet,” Peter Tartaglia, first assistant commissioner of Westchester County Parks, told MyRye.com on Friday.
He said there are plans to also expand the parking lot from 30 to 50 spaces. “We’re not looking to bring in anything other than to expand the number of visitors that go there now, which is basically families, locals and school groups, and in the summer we run day camps there.”
The planning work dates back to 2008 and 2010 and consists of two parts – on-site work and construction work, each only in the concept phase. Tartaglia said some of the confusion and concern may be related to a design for the building from 10 to 12 years ago that was accidentally released and was not subject to review or approval (he said it was never approved or used). The money for design has not yet been tied up. And if that happens, it would be at least 18 months.
“When we get the right design money and go through the design process, we go to all the agencies,” Tartaglia said.
“This is no different than any other major project. Then we go to the DEC… The New York State Historic Preservation Office, then all of those agencies are consulted. Then we do archaeological surveys as needed and so on.”
MyRye.com has asked the county to provide documentation, including any concept and planning documents. On Thursday, the district sent a three-page PDF concept sketch of the planned nature center — there are certainly more available.
“It is encouraging to hear that the county is committed to prioritizing natural resources and historic treasures and caring for existing visitors to this special and very fragile protected area,” Suzanne Clary, president of the Jay Heritage Center, said in response to MyRye.com the district's first comment on its letter from Wednesday.
“We are confident that this means that the appropriate environmental and archaeological assessments, including an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and a coastal assessment form, will finally be carried out. These are industry best practices for all properties subject to the Town of Rye's Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan (LWRP). However, it is disappointing that there has been no public engagement with the planning process or consultation with neighbors and stakeholders for one $10,845,000 concept that the county admittedly has planned for many As recently as May 30, 2025, First Assistant Parks Commissioner Peter Tartaglia asked a county employee to research the “Marshland title deed, purpose, restrictions, etc.” This is information that neighbors and stakeholders have at their fingertips and would like to share.
“Those of us who know and love Marshlands and have long advocated for their protection already understand its limitations and purpose, which is why we are once again calling for – and insisting on – transparency and inclusion in the discussions determining its future, as previously promised.”
