NEW ROCHELLE, NY (August 28, 2025) — The City of New Rochelle has issued a request for proposals seeking consulting services to develop recommendations for a revitalization and future activation plan for the former historic barn property at Ward Acres Park.
The RFP, numbered 5818, calls for a qualified planning consultant with expertise in park planning, design and restoration projects.
The selected team will collaborate with the city to develop a successful vision and immediate action plan toward the revitalization of the remaining barn foundation and the immediate surrounding property.
The city hopes to eventually transform the current property into a functional space for programming and public special events.
NOTE: Ward Acres Nature Preserve in New Rochelle, NY, is a 62-acre park that was acquired by the city in 1962 with state funding assistance, and it includes deed restrictions designating the property specifically for passive recreation, which helps preserve its natural woodlands, trails, meadows, and historical features from its origins as a horse farm estate. This aligns with its ongoing use as a passive-use park featuring foot trails, open fields, a dog park (with permit required), and community gardens, without active development or intensive recreational facilities.
A pre-proposal site visit will be hosted on Sept. 9, 2025, at 11 a.m. Attendance is not mandatory but highly encouraged.
The site visit will be held at Ward Acres Park, located on the corner of Broadfield Road and Quaker Ridge Road. The meeting will begin at the aforementioned corner.
The RFP was published on Aug. 26, 2025, at 11 a.m. Sealed proposals will be accepted until 3 p.m. on Oct. 1, 2025.
Ward Acres is a 68-acre park in the Wykagyl section of the city, with more than 30 acres of open fields, 30 acres of woodlands, the largest dog park in Westchester County, a community-run garden, historic ruins, a biodiversity preserve and miles of walking paths.
The park provides residents with a unique experience within a natural setting. Wooded areas are much the same as they had been over a century ago, and current park trails follow the alignment of the early horse farm’s trails and drives.
Stone walls which once defined pastures, along with the grave sites of Ward champion horses, are still standing on the property.
The old barn complex was constructed in 1906 for the Dickerman family. The 15,000-square-foot structure housed stables, barns and apartments, serving as a central hub for the horse farm operations.
The barn complex had been in a state of advanced deterioration for years due to neglect, vandalism, and flood damage. An attempt to save the structure for a line dancing venue failed when the city chose to spend money on its hasty demolition. In May 2024, the city initiated a demolition project (completed in June 2024) to dismantle the dilapidated barn structure while preserving the historic stone and brick foundations that did not pose a public risk.
The following shall be considered in the planning of any future use of the remaining barn foundation and surrounding property: public safety, walking paths, foot traffic, seating, green space, event space and parking areas.
The scope of work includes three tasks.
Task 1 is a project scoping meeting. The consultant and city staff shall hold an initial on-site walkthrough and internal meeting with appropriate individuals to review project scope requirements and site conditions, and to transfer any written and policy-level information to the consultant.
Topics shall include overall project scope and goals, project objectives and cost estimates, existing relevant information such as the property deed, existing site survey, aerial photographs and GIS maps, the 2022 Ward Acres Master Plan and any additional related park reports.
The consultant shall provide the city with innovative and creative ideas for the property, including renderings, and discuss responsibilities of the participants, time frames and deadlines.
The consultant shall prepare a brief meeting summary to clearly indicate the agreements and understandings reached at the meeting for acceptance by the commissioner of parks and recreation.
The deliverable is the scoping meeting with appropriate parties and the meeting summary with note of agreements and understandings reached.
Task 2 is issue identification and preparation of project database and site analysis. The consultant shall provide city staff with a thorough and comprehensive inventory of the project area.
This inventory will start with existing analyses and provide the most current information on maps indicating the location of the site in relation to roadways and adjacent properties and updated aerial photographs; juxtaposition of existing non-compatible uses and structures affecting the marketability of potential uses; and mapping existing boundaries of the present park plan.
The consultant and city staff shall hold an onsite meeting to review the project scope and receive input from the Ward Acres Conservancy Group, volunteers and other necessary city agencies.
With support of the city, acquire public input through community engagement to help the long-term vision, including the local city council representative, general park users, New Rochelle residents, dog park pass holders, community gardeners, trail walkers, conservancy volunteers, local non-profits and more.
Based on this comprehensive site analysis, the consultant will identify any major issues affecting the redevelopment of the site, including traffic and parking impacts, environmental remediation, relocation of current operations and activities, need for community support, permitting complexity, infrastructure costs, timing, project phasing and any other issues identified by staff or the consultant.
The deliverable is a comprehensive survey and issues analysis document that will incorporate all the items detailed, presented in graphic, tabular and narrative form in a manner that can be easily understood and communicated to potential contractors and the public at large, as well as for use with grant applications. It is subject to final approval by city staff and acceptance by the commissioner of parks and recreation.
Task 3 is to prepare a design plan and development model for the barn property at Ward Acres. Working in coordination with city staff and incorporating both the database and issues identified in Task 2 and worthy development and program elements, the consultant will prepare a design plan that will describe the basic development and program parameters that will guide the development of this space.
These guidelines will be prescriptive and will serve as a basis to solicit development and program proposals.
Based on the assumptions contained in this plan, the consultant will also develop a financial model of the potential program development identifying the overall budget, net operating income, net proceeds and overall financial sensitivity of the project. Identify additional funding sources, including potential grant opportunities. Design guidelines for any new or restoration construction.
The deliverable is a comprehensive master plan that identifies all the major development and use parameters for the barn property at Ward Acres, providing predictable and flexible guidelines for the expeditious development of barn property at Ward Acres, and financial models that meet those parameters in a comprehensive site development scenario. It is subject to final approval by city staff and acceptance by the commissioner of parks and recreation.
Photo credit: https://www.wardacresconservancy.org/
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.