Glen Island Park

Glen Island Park is a 105-acre (0.42 km2) park, located on Glen Island, on the Long Island Sound, New York. The park is owned and operated by Westchester County and shares the island with a privately operated but county-owned entertainment facility, the Glen Island Harbour Club (formerly the Glen Island Casino).[1] Westchester County residency is required for parking and beach access.

Glen Island
Geography
LocationLong Island Sound
Coordinates40.8852°N 73.7838°W / 40.8852; -73.7838
Total islands5 islands
Area105 acres (42 ha)
Administration
United States
StateNew York
CountyWestchester County
CityNew Rochelle

History

In 1879, former U.S. Congressman John H. Starin bought Glen Island and four nearby islands. He gave Glen Island its name and converted the islands into Starin's Glen Island, a summer resort for city dwellers that has been called "the first theme park".[2] The islands were connected by causeways and piers, and each island featured a different international theme.[3] Steamships transported visitors from New York City to the park.[4] The park, which opened in 1881, attracted thousands of people daily, included among its attractions a bathing beach, a natural history museum, a zoo, a German beer garden and castle, musical entertainment, and a Chinese pagoda.[2][5]

In 1923, Westchester County acquired the site, which is now a public recreational park.[3]

References
  1. "Glen Island Park". Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation & Conservation. Archived from the original on 2008-07-22. Retrieved 2009-04-07. and "Glen Island Park". Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation & Conservation. Retrieved 2010-10-14.
  2. New Rochelle History: 1861-1879 timeline, City of New Rochelle website
  3. Futrell, Jim (2006). Amusement Parks of New York. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. p. 24. ISBN 0-8117-3262-2. Retrieved 2011-12-20.
  4. The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography. 2. New York: J.T. White. 1892. p. 20. OCLC 754555174. Retrieved 2011-12-20.
  5. "Starin's Glen Island: Enhanced Attractions of a Famous Resort" (PDF). The New York Times. July 18, 1897. Retrieved 2011-12-20.

See also
  • New York islands
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