Glen Island Map

Description:

Description: This map shows where the island is located in New York City.

Description: This map shows where the island is located in New York State.

Glen Island is a 105-acre recreational area located in New Rochelle, New York, on Long Island Sound. Originally consisting of multiple small islands, it was connected to the mainland through landfill operations in the early 20th century. The island is owned by Westchester County and serves as one of the county's most popular park destinations, attracting approximately 500,000 visitors annually.

The island has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century when it was developed by John H. Starin, a congressman and entrepreneur, who transformed it into Glen Island Resort, a premier summer destination. The resort featured attractions such as a zoo, a natural history museum, a Chinese pagoda, a German beer garden, and a bathing beach. During its heyday in the 1880s and 1890s, Glen Island attracted thousands of visitors who arrived via Starin's fleet of steamboats from Manhattan and other locations. After Starin's death, the property was acquired by Westchester County in 1923 and converted into a public park.

Today, Glen Island Park offers numerous recreational facilities including Glen Island Beach, picnic areas, boat launching ramps, and fishing access. The beach provides stunning views of Long Island Sound and is a popular swimming destination during summer months. The park also features historic structures such as a neo-Georgian bathhouse built in 1929 and remnants of the original resort attractions, including a stone bridge and castle-like structures that once served as entrances to themed areas.

One of the island's most notable landmarks is the Glen Island Casino, a historic building that operated as a prominent big band venue during the 1930s and 1940s, hosting legendary performers such as Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, and Benny Goodman. Though no longer functioning as a casino, the building now houses Glen Island Harbour Club, an upscale catering facility that hosts weddings and special events.

Access to Glen Island Park is restricted to Westchester County residents during the summer season, with visitors required to present proof of residency to enter. The park is connected to the mainland by a drawbridge spanning New Rochelle Harbor. In recent years, Glen Island temporarily served as a COVID-19 testing site during the pandemic, highlighting its continued importance as a public resource for the community.