Exclusive: Inside plans to turn former NYC homeless camp into sprawling Orange County park
A $2.5 million state grant will help fund playgrounds and restrooms at Camp LaGuardia in Chester, with sports fields, trail connections and camping also envisioned.
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Where buildings once housed homeless men from New York City, piles of rubble now mark the beginnings of a different future.
Camp LaGuardia’s sprawling grounds have served many purposes over more than a century, from a women’s prison to a homeless camp. Now, Orange County is preparing to give the property new life as a destination for families.
County Executive Steve Neuhaus gave News 12 an exclusive walking tour Thursday, showing how the 258-acre property off Greycourt Road in Chester is changing.
“What you’re going to see here is a complete transformation,” Neuhaus said.
Beyond the recently demolished buildings are rolling hills, mountain views and a brook — features the county hopes will draw visitors for recreation.
Orange County bought the property in 2007 for $8.5 million. Redevelopment proposals included multifamily housing, which Neuhaus says local and county officials didn’t feel would be a good fit. Instead, the idea of a park gained support from local municipalities and the County Legislature. Now, state funding is helping move that vision forward after years in which much of the former campus sat vacant.
Neuhaus says county crews handled much of the demolition to save money. Some stone from the old buildings will be crushed and reused for future foundations.
A newly awarded $2.5 million NY PLAYS state grant will help fund playgrounds and restrooms. The county’s grant application for that portion of the project outlined a $3.125 million cost, including a $625,000 local match.
The broader concept includes parking, a dog park, ball fields and connections to the Heritage Trail and future Schunnemunk Rail Trail. Later phases envision tent and RV campsites, hilltop pavilions, a splash pad, ball courts, nature trails and education areas.
The Schunnemunk Rail Trail is expected to cost roughly $28 million. County officials say much of that expense will be covered by state and federal grants. It's unclear, however, what the total park project will cost.
Neuhaus says the goal is to preserve the property’s history while giving people new reasons to visit.
“I want to see kids here. I want to see families here. I want to see people enjoying it,” he said.
The grounds also hold reminders of the property’s earlier history. Elihu Marvin, a Revolutionary War officer, was one of its early owners. The Marvin family cemetery remains on the property, with graves dating to the Revolutionary War era. The cemetery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and will remain on site for visitors to see.
Neuhaus says the first phase of the park could be ready as early as 2027, with full development taking roughly five years. Additional amenities would come in phases.
View the county’s Camp LaGuardia park master plan here.
