Glen Island Park is a 105-acre (0.42 km2) waterfront 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) The Glen Island Casino was a springboard to success during the 1930s Big Band Era, including that of Ozzie Nelson, Charlie Barnet, Claude Thornhill, Les Brown, The Dorsey Brothers and Glenn Miller.[1] Westchester County residency is required for parking and beach access.
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Location | Long Island Sound |
Coordinates | 40.8852°N 73.7838°W / 40.8852; -73.7838 |
Total islands | 5 islands |
Area | 105 acres (42 ha) |
Administration | |
United States | |
State | New York |
County | Westchester County |
City | New Rochelle |
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]
In 2020 Glen Island Park was temporarily closed and converted into a Coronavirus testing site. It has since been returned for use by Westchester County residents.
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