The Vision
Project Goals
The goal of HPCG is to create a sustainable and vibrant greenhouse and activities program for the New Rochelle community in Hudson Park.
The Hudson Park Children’s Greenhouse and the City of New Rochelle is creating a sustainable and vibrant greenhouse and activities program for the New Rochelle community in Hudson Park. Originally, we worked towards restoring the existing greenhouse in Hudson Park. An environmental report revealed insurmountable costly problems. Then we planned to recreate the greenhouses, brand new, at the same location. When the Wildcliff Mansion was mostly destroyed in a fire in November 2018, it created an opportunity for us to create a new and modern greenhouse on the Wildcliff parcel.
Our plan is that HPCG year round programming will include: • Horticulture classes for all ages • Garden lecture series • Hosting School groups • Activities for Children with special needs • Intergenerational activities – such as grandparent/grandchild event • Indoor and outdoor events: Pumpkin Patch, Mother’s Day planting • Holiday plant shows, such as garden train exhibit and Easter plant exhibit • Small events - Children’s birthday parties, Senior citizen events
This initiative will enhance the development of Hudson Park, New Rochelle and Long Island Sound’s coastline for the enjoyment and benefit of New Rochelle’s children and community. This will provide a tremendous resource to the community and will inspire future improvements throughout Hudson Park. Greenhouse visitors will learn about horticulture, propagation, nutrition, and they will experience beauty.
Hudson Park, is the first municipal park of the City of New Rochelle, located on Long Island Sound in the south end of New Rochelle, Hudson Park features a nearby marina and has a public beach and a recently restored and historic band-shell. Generations of New Rochelle’s children grew up enjoying the beach and the park on a daily basis.
Project Location
The new greenhouse will be conveniently located in the corner of the Wildcliff parcel, adjacent to the parking lot and behind the bandshell.
This is an aerial view of the new Hudson Park Children's Greenhouse.
Project Description
Our committee is working on creating a new greenhouse in Hudson Park, New Rochelle, NY. The vision of the HPCG committee is recreate a similarly sized structure and then develop and provide environmental education with an emphasis on horticulture, ecology, gardening and agriculture.
This is the floor plan for the new greenhouses on the Wildcliff parcel.
Review the Project Bid Set HERE
Community Support
We are proud to be supported in our efforts by community members from every corner of the diverse city of New Rochelle as well as Mayor Noam Bramson, who has offered both his encouragement and substantive support by the city. New Rochelleans of all ages and backgrounds have expressed enthusiasm for this project, and inquiries grow weekly.
Project Status
New Rochelle City Council has approved the expenditures related to this project. Bids have been awarded and work is to begin soon.
Sustainability
Our intention is that Hudson Park Children's Greenhouse will be a sustainable operation. We willgenerate funds by:
- Annual fundraising gala
- Hosting children’s birthday parties and small private events
- Annual plant sales
- Pumpkin patch event
- Summer and vacation gardening camps for children
- Art and photography classes
We plan on promoting urban agriculture to encourage healthy lifestyle for students; we will create a school-based curriculum modeled after Edible Schoolyard NYC, the Green Bronx Machine and the Science Barge. The emphasis will be on science, nutrition and gardening. We envision that our programming will take place on-site and within school buildings.