NEW ROCHELLE, NY (September 4, 2025) — Ward Acres Park, a cherished 68-acre gem in the Wykagyl section of New Rochelle, is poised for a thoughtful revival following the recent demolition of its historic barn. The City of New Rochelle has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to engage consultants in crafting a vision for the site’s future, emphasizing preservation of its natural and historical elements while exploring enhancements like improved access. Amid this process, discussions are emerging around integrating sustainable transportation options, including a potential expansion of the city’s popular Circuit electric shuttle service to bridge downtown New Rochelle with the park, aligning with broader goals for eco-friendly mobility.
Tying into this revitalization is the potential role of Circuit, New Rochelle’s free, on-demand electric micro-transit service, which has been a cornerstone of the city’s sustainable transportation initiatives since launching in 2019. Operated in partnership with Circuit, the service uses a fleet of six electric vehicles to provide rides within an expanding coverage zone, accessible via the “Ride Circuit” app or by waving down a driver. With over 3,000 rides per month, a 4.9 average rider rating, and zero passenger fares, Circuit has already saved more than 60,000 vehicle miles and eliminated gasoline use, contributing to reduced emissions and less traffic congestion.
Circuit’s adaptability shines through its history: During the pandemic, it shuttled healthcare workers between Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital and their hotels, earning the Clean Air NY Champions Award from the New York State Department of Transportation. Recent expansions, effective late May 2025, extended service to the New Rochelle YMCA on Weyman Avenue, Montefiore’s Cedar Street location, and seasonally to Hudson Park for beach access and summer concerts. Operating hours cater to daily needs—Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with extended evenings on Fridays and weekends.
As New Rochelle’s downtown undergoes a massive redevelopment with thousands of new housing units and over 12 million square feet of projects, Circuit fosters connectivity and innovation. City officials and community advocates see an opportunity to extend this network northward to Ward Acres, located at the corner of Broadfield Road and Quaker Ridge Road. Such an expansion, potentially considered in the RFP’s community engagement and site analysis phases, would address traffic and parking impacts highlighted in the proposal. By linking downtown’s bustling corridor to the park’s tranquil trails and fields, it could enhance accessibility for residents without cars, promote eco-friendly visits to events at the revitalized barn site, and support the park’s passive recreation ethos by minimizing vehicle emissions on-site.
“Ward Acres is a vital natural resource, and improving sustainable access aligns perfectly with our goals for an inclusive, environmentally conscious community,” said one City official who was not authorized to speak on the record.
The RFP’s emphasis on public feedback—through meetings with conservancy groups, park users, and city council—opens the door for proposals like Circuit integration, which could be incorporated into the final master plan’s guidelines for development, programming, and funding sources.
This move would build on New Rochelle’s broader sustainability efforts, including adopting clean energy, arts initiatives, and economic development under the “Ideally New Rochelle” banner. As the RFP process unfolds, residents are being encouraged to participate, ensuring the barn site’s rebirth honors the park’s history while embracing forward-thinking transit solutions.
For more details on riding Circuit, visit their website or download the app.
Ward Acres, acquired by the city in 1962 with state funding and deed restrictions for passive recreation, offers residents a serene escape with over 30 acres of open fields, 30 acres of woodlands, miles of walking paths, a biodiversity preserve, historic ruins from its origins as a horse farm, and the largest dog park in Westchester County. The park also hosts a community-run garden managed by the Ward Acres Conservancy, a nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the site’s ecologically fragile landscape. Stone walls that once bordered pastures, gravesites of champion horses, and remnants of early 20th-century structures evoke the property’s storied past as part of the Dickerman family’s 1906 horse farm.
The barn complex, a 15,000-square-foot hub of stables and apartments, had fallen into disrepair due to years of neglect, vandalism, and flood damage. Despite efforts to repurpose it—such as a failed proposal for a line dancing venue—the city proceeded with demolition in May 2024, completing the project by June while preserving the stone and brick foundations. Now, RFP #5818, issued on August 26, 2025, seeks a qualified planning consultant to develop recommendations for revitalizing the barn site. The scope includes three key tasks: an initial scoping meeting, a comprehensive site analysis with community input, and a final design plan with financial modeling.
Central to the RFP is collaboration with stakeholders, including the Ward Acres Conservancy, local residents, dog park users, gardeners, and nonprofits. Consultants will address public safety, walking paths, foot traffic, seating, green space, event spaces, and parking—factors that could naturally extend to transportation improvements. A pre-proposal site visit is scheduled for September 9, 2025, at 11 a.m., with proposals due by October 1, 2025. The city envisions transforming the foundation into a functional space for programming and public events, guided by the 2022 Ward Acres Master Plan and innovative ideas like renderings for potential uses.
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.
