Ward Acres Barn Visioning Survey | New Rochelle, NY

The City of New Rochelle, with Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects and Planners, is seeking public input for revitalization of the former historic Barn Property at Ward Acres Park as an accessible public space.

The Ward Acres Barn was built in 1906 as a 15,000 square foot horse barn with stables and apartments. From 1978 till 2001 the barn was used as a community gathering space for events such as the Country Fair and the annual Haunted House hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. In 2023, a fire caused significant damage to the barn structure. In May 2024 the City of New Rochelle partially deconstructed the barn due to unsafe conditions, preserving historic foundation walls and site features.

Today, the barn site lies at the southern edge of Ward Acres Park, nestled in a mature canopy with open fields, historic stone walls, and trails bordering the site. A publicly-owned asset, the Ward Acres Barn, has the potential to become a hub of community, culture, and ecology for New Rochelle and beyond.

This survey aims to explore a wide range of ideas and does not indicate a final decision by the City of New Rochelle. Your ideas are invaluable to developing a public space that celebrates the site's history, supports contemporary park programming, and is inclusive to all.

Question Title

1. Have you been to the Ward Acres Barn site, located off of Quaker Ridge Road in Ward Acres Park, New Rochelle?

Yes

Question Title

2. How often do you visit Ward Acres Park?

Daily

Weekly

A few times a year

I have visited once or twice

Never

Question Title

3. What do you do at Ward Acres Park. Select all that apply.

Hike the Trails

Visit Paws Place Dog Park

Garden at the Community Garden

Participate in an Organized Group (e.g. Scouts, Summer Camp)

Volunteer with the Ward Acres Conservancy

Attend Community Events

Other (please specify)

Question Title

4. List three words that describe the Ward Acres Barn site today.

Question Title

5. List three words that describe your vision for the future of the Ward Acres Barn site.

Question Title

6. How familiar are you with the Park's equestrian history?

Very Familiar

Somewhat Familiar

Not Familiar

Question Title

7. Do you have any personal memories or history associated with the Ward Acres Barn? If so, please describe.

The City of New Rochelle is making a series of improvements at Ward Acres Park as the next step in implementing the park’s long-term vision, developed through years of community engagement and planning. These efforts are designed to enhance access, safety, and the overall visitor experience while protecting the park’s natural and ecological character.

Upcoming improvements in addition to the Barn Site Visioning include ADA accessibly paths connecting key areas of the park, the construction of a restroom, a mid-block signalized crosswalk on Broadfield Road, restoration of the historic stone bridge, a comprehensive signage system and a new main entrance and landscaping.

Learn more about the upcoming improvements at Ward Acres Park

Question Title

8. Please rate the following potential programs for the Ward Acres Barn site based on their importance to you and/or your household.

The goal of this survey is to explore a broad range of ideas for the future of the Barn site. The inclusion of programming does not indicate a final decision or commitment by the City.

	Very Important	Important	No Opinion	Unimportant	Very Unimportant
Outdoor learning	Outdoor learning Very Important	Outdoor learning Important	Outdoor learning No Opinion	Outdoor learning Unimportant	Outdoor learning Very Unimportant
Environmental education	Environmental education Very Important	Environmental education Important	Environmental education No Opinion	Environmental education Unimportant	Environmental education Very Unimportant
Outdoor concerts	Outdoor concerts Very Important	Outdoor concerts Important	Outdoor concerts No Opinion	Outdoor concerts Unimportant	Outdoor concerts Very Unimportant
Outdoor movies	Outdoor movies Very Important	Outdoor movies Important	Outdoor movies No Opinion	Outdoor movies Unimportant	Outdoor movies Very Unimportant
Seasonal market	Seasonal market Very Important	Seasonal market Important	Seasonal market No Opinion	Seasonal market Unimportant	Seasonal market Very Unimportant
Lawn games	Lawn games Very Important	Lawn games Important	Lawn games No Opinion	Lawn games Unimportant	Lawn games Very Unimportant
Party rental space	Party rental space Very Important	Party rental space Important	Party rental space No Opinion	Party rental space Unimportant	Party rental space Very Unimportant
Temporary rotating art installations	Temporary rotating art installations Very Important	Temporary rotating art installations Important	Temporary rotating art installations No Opinion	Temporary rotating art installations Unimportant	Temporary rotating art installations Very Unimportant
Passive recreation	Passive recreation Very Important	Passive recreation Important	Passive recreation No Opinion	Passive recreation Unimportant	Passive recreation Very Unimportant
Historic interpretation	Historic interpretation Very Important	Historic interpretation Important	Historic interpretation No Opinion	Historic interpretation Unimportant	Historic interpretation Very Unimportant
Nature walks	Nature walks Very Important	Nature walks Important	Nature walks No Opinion	Nature walks Unimportant	Nature walks Very Unimportant
Community tree planting days	Community tree planting days Very Important	Community tree planting days Important	Community tree planting days No Opinion	Community tree planting days Unimportant	Community tree planting days Very Unimportant
Inclusive/all ages programming	Inclusive/all ages programming Very Important	Inclusive/all ages programming Important	Inclusive/all ages programming No Opinion	Inclusive/all ages programming Unimportant	Inclusive/all ages programming Very Unimportant

Other (please specify)

Question Title

9. Please rate the following potential amenities for the Ward Acres Barn site based on their importance to you and/or your household.

The goal of this survey is to explore a broad range of ideas for the future of the Barn site. The inclusion of programming does not indicate a final decision or commitment by the City.

	Very Important	Important	No Opinion	Unimportant	Very Unimportant
Covered open-air pavilion(s)	Covered open-air pavilion(s) Very Important	Covered open-air pavilion(s) Important	Covered open-air pavilion(s) No Opinion	Covered open-air pavilion(s) Unimportant	Covered open-air pavilion(s) Very Unimportant
Performance space	Performance space Very Important	Performance space Important	Performance space No Opinion	Performance space Unimportant	Performance space Very Unimportant
Pollinator gardens	Pollinator gardens Very Important	Pollinator gardens Important	Pollinator gardens No Opinion	Pollinator gardens Unimportant	Pollinator gardens Very Unimportant
Habitat restoration	Habitat restoration Very Important	Habitat restoration Important	Habitat restoration No Opinion	Habitat restoration Unimportant	Habitat restoration Very Unimportant
Outdoor community kitchen	Outdoor community kitchen Very Important	Outdoor community kitchen Important	Outdoor community kitchen No Opinion	Outdoor community kitchen Unimportant	Outdoor community kitchen Very Unimportant
Movable furniture	Movable furniture Very Important	Movable furniture Important	Movable furniture No Opinion	Movable furniture Unimportant	Movable furniture Very Unimportant
Space for public art	Space for public art Very Important	Space for public art Important	Space for public art No Opinion	Space for public art Unimportant	Space for public art Very Unimportant
Flexible lawn	Flexible lawn Very Important	Flexible lawn Important	Flexible lawn No Opinion	Flexible lawn Unimportant	Flexible lawn Very Unimportant
Small seasonal concession	Small seasonal concession Very Important	Small seasonal concession Important	Small seasonal concession No Opinion	Small seasonal concession Unimportant	Small seasonal concession Very Unimportant
Vehicular drop-off (ADA/Service only)	Vehicular drop-off (ADA/Service only) Very Important	Vehicular drop-off (ADA/Service only) Important	Vehicular drop-off (ADA/Service only) No Opinion	Vehicular drop-off (ADA/Service only) Unimportant	Vehicular drop-off (ADA/Service only) Very Unimportant
Renewable energy	Renewable energy Very Important	Renewable energy Important	Renewable energy No Opinion	Renewable energy Unimportant	Renewable energy Very Unimportant
Nature play	Nature play Very Important	Nature play Important	Nature play No Opinion	Nature play Unimportant	Nature play Very Unimportant
Expanded/accessible walking paths	Expanded/accessible walking paths Very Important	Expanded/accessible walking paths Important	Expanded/accessible walking paths No Opinion	Expanded/accessible walking paths Unimportant	Expanded/accessible walking paths Very Unimportant
Outdoor classroom	Outdoor classroom Very Important	Outdoor classroom Important	Outdoor classroom No Opinion	Outdoor classroom Unimportant	Outdoor classroom Very Unimportant

Other (please specify)

Question Title

10. Would you support programming at the Barn site that helps fund park programming, stewardship, and long-term maintenance?

Yes

Question Title

11. Would you support a covered pavilion structure within the barn’s historic footprint, acknowledging the site’s history?

Yes

Question Title

12. If there was a covered pavilion, would you support limited private rentals and community events.

Yes

Question Title

13. Would you support a small seasonal concession at the Ward Acres Barn site?

Yes

Question Title

14. What near-term improvements would you like to see prioritized in the next 2-3 years?

Question Title

15. Are there any accessibility improvements or considerations you believe should be prioritized at the site?

Question Title

16. Is there anything else you feel is important to the reimagining of the Ward Acres Barn site?

We would like to know more about current and future visitors to the Ward Acres Barn. Please provide as much information as you would like below. All information given will be kept confidential.

Question Title

17. What is your age?

Under 18

18-30

31-45

46-60

Over 60

Question Title

18. Do you live in the City of New Rochelle?

Yes

Question Title

19. What is your zipcode?

Question Title

20. Are you aware of the Ward Acres Conservancy?

Yes, and I currently volunteer with the Conservancy

Yes, but I have yet to volunteer with the Conservancy

No, I am not yet aware of the Ward Acres Conservancy

Question Title

21. Share your email address if you would like to receive updates on the Ward Acres Barn site visioning plan.

Thank you participating in the survey!