Ward Acres Park and Nature Preserve (New Rochelle, New York)

 park  Add category

Ward Acres is a 62-acre park located in the North End of New Rochelle. It is owned and operated by the City of New Rochelle Parks and Recreation Department. Formerly part of a private estate, the land consists of mature woodlands, fields, streams and wetlands, as well as two houses and a former horse farm with a tremendous stable. The park provides residents with a unique park experience in a natural setting.

Ward Acres Park :
New Rochelle purchased the land from the Ward family in 1962 with help from the New York State Park and Recreation Land Acquisition Bond Act. The Act states that “Lands acquired… shall consist of predominantly open or natural lands….” And that “A municipality… may establish reasonable rules and regulations to insure proper administration and development of such lands….” While the park has mainly seen passive recreation since its inception, there have been a number of events held on the grounds including The New Rochelle Country Fair, The Wildcliff Arts Center and the City’s annual Haunted House.

The park provides residents with a unique park experience in a natural setting. Wooded areas are much the same as they had been during the days when the land was a horse farm. The current park trails follow the alignment of the former horse farm’s trails and drives. Stone walls which once defined pastures, the gravesites of Ward champion horses and three of the farm’s main buildings still stand on the property.

Current community uses of the park include walking / hiking / jogging, on and off-leash dog-walking, and bird watching.

Park Components:
* Barn complex – (15,000 sq. ft.) Built in 1906 for the Dickerman family, the barn is a good example of the Shingle Style revival of a domestic architectural style made popular for estate buildings by the New York architects McKim Meade and White at the turn of the 20th century.

* Farm house – (2,500 sq. ft.) The house is a two story cross-gabled structure located in the northeast section of Ward Acres.

* ‘Forge’ outbuilding – (1,000 sq. ft.) The buildings origin is uncertain, with some believing it was constructed as an iron forge for the construction of the NYW&B railway while others believe it served the metallurgical needs of the Ward racing horse farm.

* Trails - (9,000 linear feet) Most of the trail system throughout Ward Acres is a carry over from the days as a horse farm. An informal perimeter trail runs around the Park, and there are a number of secondary trails that cross it. The trail system is not formalized and, as a result, trails are not clearly defined throughout.

* Stone walls – (7,500 linear feet) The walls separate approximately 27 acres behind the barn, into a series of open meadows.

* Meadow Areas – (27 acres) These areas date from the park’s time as a horse farm. They are located in the southern and central part of the property.

* Woodland area – (35 acres) The woodlands include a diversity of species including Cherry, Beech, Oak, Ash, Tulip Tree and Maple. The northern, least visited section of the park, is host to a number of mature specimens.


The Forests of Ward Acres:

The forested areas will be divided into four (4) parcels, as they are distinct from each other in general characteristics and species presence. They are marked on Map 1. For discussion, they will be broken into: North Woods, Northwest Woods, Central Woods, and the Southeast Woods. Natural Resource Management Plan Ward Acres.

The North Woods is by far the most pristine wooded area in the park. It is defined as the area from the northernmost entrance, leading to the northernmost Broadfield Road entrance. There is an intermittent stream which runs in a northeast direction flowing off of a culvert from Broadfield Road. A series of trails forms the southern border of this wooded area. It is distinct from the central woods area due to the lowlying nature, and the dominance of the Oak and Tulip trees. This area of forest has been defined as an Oak-Tulip Tree Forest. The dominant species of tree in this area are Tulip (Liriodendron tulipifera) and Red Maple (Acer rubrum). Other common canopy species present include: Shagbark Hickory Carya ovata, Red Oak Quercus rubra, Black Oak Quercus velutina, and Sweetgum Liquidambar sytraciflua. The dominant understory species is Spicebush (Lindera benzoin). There is also a large presence of saplings.

There is much ground cover, with patches of various species. Some of the most common flora includes: Pachysandra Pachysandra terminalis, Golden Alexanders Zizia aurea, Solomon Seal Polygonatum biflorum, Tall Meadow Rue Thalictrum pubescens, and Lady Fern Athyrium asplenioides.

While there are very few invasive species in this section, areas of high invasive concentration do exist. There is a small field in the western area of the North Woods, where native trees are not present; it is instead dominated by Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) and Porcelain Berry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata). A second area with increased invasive cover is on the blue trail as it approaches Pinebrook Boulevard from the west. Here the dominant species are Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora) and Porcelain Berry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata).

At the southern end of the section, there exists a Reed Grass/Purple Loosestrife Marsh. This area is located between the North Woods and Central Woods segments of the park.

The Southwest Woods is the area in the far southwest corner of the park, near the Ward Acres elementary school. It is a young forest, defined as Southern Successional Hardwood due to the presence of pioneer tree species and remaining field species. Shrub species include Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) and Honeysuckle (Lonicera sp.), which are fairly common through the area. The section is colonized by trees such as Devil’s Walking Stick (Aralia spinosa), White Mulberry (Morus alba), Black Cherry (Prunus serotina), and Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). While pioneer species are currently dominant in the area, some canopy trees are beginning to emerge. These include Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) and Bitternut Hickory (Carya cordiformis). This area is successional in nature, lending to a very diverse grouping of species. Given the relative age of the wooded area and its proximity to road edges, invasion by alien species is expected. These include Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora) and Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata). The presence of Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) suggests seasonally moist soils.

The Southeast Woods is defined as the area along the White Trail, to the south of the farm house, and leads most of the way to the barn area. This area is broadly defined as being an Oak-Tulip Tree Forest. Dominant canopy trees include Tulip (Liriodendron tulipifera), Red Oak (Quercus rubra), White Oak (Quercus alba), and Red Maple (Acer rubrum). There is also presence of pioneer species such as Black Birch (Betula lenta) and Black Cherry (Prunus serotina). As with the Northern Woods, the Southeast Woods is a diverse canopy community with abundant understory growth and ground cover, including New York Fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis) and Spicebush (Lindera benzoin). The trails through this wooded area lead to the horse cemetery from the Hillandale Farms period. The remnants of recent construction exist in the northern part of the southeast woods, where a wet area was drained.

The Central Woods is a small forested area in the middle of the park. It is bordered by trails and fields. The area is roughly defined as Oak-Tulip Tree Forest. It is common here to see multiple species of Oak congregated in a small area. Red Oak (Quercus rubra) and Black Oak (Quercus velutina) are co-dominant. Also common is the Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata). Understory trees and shrubs are common in this area, with limited ground cover due to the rocky nature, full canopy and hiking trails. Common understory species include Ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana), Maple-Leaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium), and Crab Apple (Malus sp.). While sparse, there exist some ground cover, including White Wood Aster (Aster divaricatus), and in the open canopy areas Common St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum).

A small wet area previously existed within this section. In a 2007 project it was drained, with the effluent flowing towards the east. A large Pin Oak (Quercus palustris) stands at the northern end of the former wetland. This is one of the largest individuals of this species seen in the area, and should be monitored.

Within Ward Acres, intermittent wooded areas exist. While there are differences among them, they typically demonstrate one of two general characteristics. The first, older growth areas, historically served as boundaries between fields during farming periods. They are filled with many canopy species, especially Maples and Oaks. Other sparse wooded areas are more successional in nature, dominated by pioneer species such as Sassafras (Sassafras albidum), Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), and Mulberry (Morus sp.). Invasive vine cover varies greatly among the sparse woods sections. Some are relatively clear due to adjacent conditions (i.e. trail patterns) while others are rife with invasives.

The Fields of Ward Acres :

There are numerous fields found on the park’s property. They have been maintained in a variety of ways, ranging from frequent mowing to being left fallow. Those with less active management have become dominated by invasive species. For the purposes of this management plan, the fields have been divided into 5 major areas.

Field 1 is defined as the mowed area to the immediate west of the barn complex. It is rectangular in shape, with two utility poles and wires running through the southeast corner. There is a small tree island present. The field is defined as Mowed Lawn. The edges of the field are lined with trees, primarily Black Cherry (Prunus serotina). On three of the four sides (excluding the eastern edge) there is heavy cover of Porcelain Berry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata). Other Natural Resource Management Plan Ward Acres species exist on the edge, including Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris), Orange Day Lily (Hemerocallis fulva), and Daisy Fleabane (Erigeron annuus).

Field 2 is defined as the mowed area immediately to the north of the barn complex. This is the current dog run area. It is rectangular in shape with a small vegetation island separating two areas of the field. It is defined as Mowed Lawn. The predominant tree species around the edges of the field is Norway Maple (Acer platanoides). There is abundant invasive growth on the edges, predominantly Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) and Porcelain Berry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata). Some edges appear to have been maintained recently as dead vines can be seen hanging from trees. The island is formed from a Norway Maple, along with honeysuckle bushes.

Field 3 is defined as the mowed area to the west of Field 2 and north of Field 1. This is a secondary dog run, with less evidence of associated degradation. It is roughly rectangular in shape, with wood and shrubland edges, and is defined as Mowed Lawn. As with many of the other fields, the edges are consistent with the Sparse Woods section above. There is heavy presence of invasive species along the edges, which seem to have been mowed within the last few years (particularly the southern edge). Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) is pervasive on all sides. Other species exist along the boundary, making the edges very similar to the Successional Shrubland discussed in section. There is a small vegetation island towards the northern end of the field with two trees, a Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) and a White Mulberry (Morus alba). There is also heavy presence of honeysuckle (Lonicera sp.). The northwest corner of the field rises on a small hill, and blends into the shrubland of field 4. Goldenrod (Solidago sp.) is dominant in this area.

Field 4 is the largest field, with mowed and un-mowed areas. For the purposes of this plan, it includes the mowed areas to the southwest, as well as the unmowed areas which border field 3. See Map 2 for a detailed outline of the area. A very small percentage of this field is mowed, with most showing shrub or other woody growth. As with the other fields, Field 4 is surrounded by trees, consistent with above. Pin Oak (Quercus palustris) is the dominant edge species, with a large specimen near the center of the field. The field is defined as both Successional Shrubland and Successional Old Field due to differing areas. Some have more than 50% shrub cover (Shrubland), while cover is less than 50% in other areas. Numerous trees are scattered throughout the field, of differing age and size. The standing, mature trees are nearly completely covered in Porcelain Berry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata), as are the shrubs and dead trees. The Successional Shrubland areas of the field are predominantly covered in Porcelain Berry. There are scattered shrubs and small trees, including Pokeberry (Phytolacca americana), Honeysuckle (Lonicera, various species), Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), and Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina). Most are covered with Porcelain Berry. The Successional Old Field areas contain most of the same species as above, but have a smaller percentage of shrubs. There is a higher presence of wildflower growth, including Dogbane (Apocynum medium), Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), and Queen-Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota).

Field 5 is defined as the mowed field surrounding the farm house on the eastern border of the park. It is defined as Mowed Lawn. Within the field itself are 3 White Pines (Pinus strobus). Grasses and White Clover (Trifolium repens) are the dominant species. The borders are very similar to those in the other fields, where Mugwort and Porcelain Berry surround, and with pioneer and canopy trees such as Sassafras, Ailanthus, Tulip, and Norway Maple forming the outer border. As with other fields, wildflowers are mixed in along the edges. In this area they include Maryland Figwort (Scrophularia marilandica) and Blackberry (Rubus sp.). Butterflies and Damselflies were also observed.

The Water Bodies and Wetlands of Ward Acres :

There is very little natural water within the park. Many of the historically natural streams and vernal pools were changed due to the farming history. Other alteration of water flow patters has occurred with the development of the surrounding lands.

A wetland corridor enters the western edge of the park at Broadfield Road, running in a northeasterly direction to its outflow at Pinebrook Boulevard. The corridor begins as a small, shallow pond, becoming an intermittent stream. It is defined as Intermittent Stream and Ditch / Artificial Intermittent Stream as the water source is runoff from the surrounding developed land yet areas remain in their natural condition.

A second corridor exists along the eastern boundary of the park, near the horse grave. It runs in an easterly direction and is a tributary of the Sheldrake River. It is defined as Intermittent Stream. A seasonally inundated area is concurrent with the corridor, adjacent to Pinebrook Boulevard. Wetland flora species are common within and around the wetland corridors, especially the above former. Species include: Spotted Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis), Spicebush (Lindera benzoin), and Red Maple (Acer rubrum). While there is little emergent vegetation within the ponded area, Cattail (Typha latifolia) does exist. In the shallow stream areas, trees are present with occasional ground cover of Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus).