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This more recently acquired facility has a
preliminary development plan that includes limited passive use and a small parking lot on
Pocantico Lakes Road. In light of the issues below, a Phase II Master Plan is recommended
for Pocantico Lake Park to establish and prioritize the needs of the Park as well as the
conduction of a biodiversity study to account for the existing flora and fauna.- Further study is recommended for access and parking area improvements and/or the creation of additional areas.
- The stone pump house and the river spillway/dam are in poor condition but have potential for rehabilitation and reuse.
- Adjacent to the park and its trail system are private equestrian riding facilities offering a potential for an operational inter-relationship between the private concessioner and County Parks. The User Survey indicated that equestrian riding is an emerging trend within Westchester County and should be promoted.
- Additional issues in Pocantico Lake Park include the suggestion to maintain this Park as a conservation tract and limit future active development as well as the unlawful hunting currently occurring within the park.
All components of the Bronx River Parkway
Reservation, including the landscape, bridges, roadway, river, pathway, County Center,
etc. are listed on the National Register of Historic Places for 10 miles within the
Reservations Westchester length from the split with the Spain Brook Parkway to Kensico
Dam. As such, it should be safeguarded as a valuable resource within the County. The
primary issue to be addressed is the importance of maintaining the balance between the
Parkway’s transportation function and the AASHTO/ DOT standards associated with them
and the preservation of the historic character of the surrounding Reservation landscape. - The Reservation has been given a priority recommendation for the preparation of a Phase II Master Plan as well as a biodiversity study.
- As part of the effort to provide linkages throughout the County Parks system, the bikeway system that travels the route of the Bronx River Parkway Reservation should be extended. There are several portions of the paved pathway requiring rehabilitation and additional connections to the neighborhood trailways that would also be provided as part of this effort.
- Achieve a balance between use as a transportation corridor and a historic parkway and parkland. Considerations should be given to the study of the reintroduction of more historically appropriate roadway appurtenances, such as light poles and guide rails, that befit the original design vocabulary of the nations first parkway.
- Because of the variety of uses that surround Reservation lands, additional plantings on the park’s edge would provide screening and noise barriers, shielding this resource from other uses. Locating style appropriate site furnishings such as benches for through travelers or bikers would contribute to more diverse uses.
- Illegal dumping occurs throughout the Reservation and efforts should be made to police and limit such activities.
- Two gas station buildings located on the parkway have been identified to have high potential for re-use. These important structures are part of the National Register Listing and must be treated carefully. Possible uses include an information booth for distributing pamphlets on parks, programs, facilities and events; an equipment rental facility (hiking, biking, camping activities); or a small concessions stand. All of these potential uses should be investigated as part of the Master Plan process and appropriate recommendations made.
- The property maps must be updated for the Comprehensive Corridor Management Plan recommended by Westchester County Planning.
The Bronx River Parkway Reservation Comprehensive Corridor Management Plan is in progress and will implement some of these recommendations.