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Davids Island

Now Is the Time to Protect Davids Island, Forever!

Davids Island is a rare, undeveloped, 78-acre island located ¼ mile off the coast of New Rochelle in Long Island Sound. Right now, Westchester County is in a unique position to purchase, restore and protect this island for generations to come!

Development Pressure Continues

Osprey’s nest on Davids Island

Over the years there have been many development proposals, ranging from a nuclear power plant to high-end condos. Fortunately, none of them have succeeded, but there remains constant pressure to develop the island. Throughout the county we are seeing open space disappear at an unprecedented rate. More than 90% of Long Island Sound’s coastline is already developed, making it difficult for the public to access. This is a rare opportunity in which Westchester can preserve and protect 78 acres of waterfront land on the Sound for the public to access and enjoy!

The closest municipalities to Davids Island – New Rochelle, Pelham, Pelham Manor, Mt. Vernon and Larchmont – currently contain about five acres of parkland per 1000 residents. This is comparable to New York City, where there is approximately 7.2 acres per 1000 residents. Ten acres per 1000 residents is considered optimal.

History of Davids Island
Beginning just after the Civil War, Davids Island was a military base that represented a microcosm of New York’s involvement in U.S. military history by protecting New York Harbors, operating a recruitment station during World War I, and maintaining Cold War facilities up until 1967. This rich historical and cultural context could be lost forever if development pressures win out!

Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle

Today, Davids Island is home to a variety of plants, birds, and animals. These include the endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle, and rare birds such as osprey and least terns. Davids Island also supports valuable wetlands, rare rocky intertidal areas, and sandy beaches. The waters surrounding the Island are home to Winter Flounder, Atlantic Herring, and Atlantic Silversides.

Brownfield Remediation Funding
Davids Island has been abandoned for many years. It has been subjected to vandalism, arson, contamination and years of neglect. Davids Island is currently a designated “brownfield site.” State funding to clean and restore the island is available under this designation. Westchester County needs to act now to take advantage of this available funding!

Westchester County Must Take Action Now!

Aerial Image of Davids Island

In 2002, County Executive Andrew Spano and and the Mayor of New Rochelle announced a plan for the county to purchase, restore, and protect Davids Island as public parkland. NOW is the time to move forward with this crucial plan! Westchester County has the opportunity to preserve one of the largest unprotected and undeveloped islands left in Long Island Sound.

Read "Decision coming on saving Davids Island buildings" from The Journal News, 2/19/07 (PDF format)

Read "Congress approves $9M for cleanup at New Rochelle's Davids Island" from The Journal News, 10/4/06 (PDF format)

Read "Remembering life on Davids Island" from The Journal News, 9/16/06 (PDF format)

Read "Sound Money" from The Journal News, 12/26/05