ABOUT GLENWOOD LAKE and THE ASSOCIATION

Glenwood Lake is a culturally diverse residential neighborhood located in the western part of New Rochelle, New York on the border of Pelham. The community consisting of approximately 300 homes was developed in the late 1920’s and early 1930’s. Tudor and colonial styles are the predominant architecture within the community combined with various styles of the period. The focal points within the community include the Daniel Webster Magnet Elementary School and the 15 acre Glenwood Lake Nature Preserve. Currently, the neighborhood is working on acquiring the last remaining undeveloped parcels adjoining the lake to ensure that this natural treasure is protected for our current and future generations.

Neighborhood History

At first glance you might think that the Glenwood Lake community is a typical Westchester community. This could not be further from the truth. As early as the 1950’s the neighborhood found in necessary to form the Glenwood Lake Association (GLA) to protect the neighborhood. Over the years the GLA has been critical in addressing three major obstacles facing the neighborhood. The first and most important obstacle was the successful integration of the neighborhood. As far back as the 1950’s the GLA worked toward developing the cohesive interracial community that has existed for 35 years and still exists today.

The second obstacle facing the neighborhood included saving the neighborhood elementary school. During a time of falling enrollment Webster School was slated for closure in the early 1980’s. The neighborhood successfully lobbied for the development of a magnet school format (one of the first schools of this type in the state and a continuing model for schools using this format.) Rather than closed like other schools in New Rochelle, Webster’s enrollment increased and a new addition was completed in the 1990’s. Today the Presidential Blue Ribbon of Excellence School continues to serve our diverse neighborhood and the greater New Rochelle area.

The third major obstacle addressed by the GLA goes back to the 1970’s and continues till this day. During the early 1970’s there were plans to extend the Cross-County Expressway through New Rochelle to Interstate 95. The GLA worked with the surrounding communities to stop this extension which would have destroyed Glenwood Lake. The extension was stopped. As a result, Westchester County attempted to sell Glenwood Lake and the surrounding land, a combined 12 acres, to a developer. Once again, the GLA mobilized to get the county to sell the land to the City of New Rochelle for $1. Today it may seem like an easy task but at that time the City viewed the land as a liability and was not very willing to take on additional land requiring ongoing maintenance.

Approximately five years ago the GLA directed its efforts to protect Glenwood Lake and the adjoining land from development. The immediate obstacle was to stop the development of a 3.1 acre parcel on the western shore of the lake. The developer’s plan called for the construction of 11 homes that would have permanently damaged the lake and the surrounding land which includes wetlands. The GLA stopped the development and successfully campaigned Westchester County to purchase the land in partnership with the City of New Rochelle. As a result, the combined 15 acre park forms what the GLA now refers to as The Glenwood Lake Nature and Wildlife Preserve. The GLA is in the process of requesting a formal designation from the City and State of New York.

Current GLA Initiative

The GLA has identified three additional properties adjacent to the Lake that have the potential for development. Each of these properties would have a significant impact on the Preserve including the destruction of the natural shoreline located on the northwest side of the lake. Currently, the GLA is working to secure a contract for the purchase of one of these parcels. In furtherance of this goal the GLA has established an account with the Westchester Land Trust for the benefit of Glenwood Lake. To date the GLA has collected approximately $20,000 in tax- deductible contributions toward this project.