Teatown Lake Reservation has received financing through more than $10 million in tax-exempt bonds issued by the Westchester County Local Development Corporation to support the nearly $23 million campus renovation underway.
The project includes the renovation of Teatown’s Nature Center and the construction of a 5,400-square-foot, leaf-shaped education center. Site work is in progress, with the grand reopening of the campus anticipated for mid-2027.
The education center, with indoor and outdoor learning spaces, direct access to nature trails, and a green roof, provides Teatown with enhanced facilities to serve school groups, summer campers, and community program participants.
The three-story Nature Center, a 15,000-square-foot, 1920s Tudor-style building, is being renovated to accommodate galleries, a nature store, offices and a new home to Teatown’s “animal ambassadors,” including porcupines, rabbits, owls, crows and vultures. A new pavilion and maintenance building are also being added.
Other campus improvements include ADA-accessible pathways, a new bus drop-off area for school groups, rain gardens, native plantings, parking lot greening, and nature play areas, creating a more walkable, sustainable, and safety-focused environment for visitors of all ages and abilities.
The renovated campus will allow the organization to offer more inclusive and engaging programming focused on ecology, biodiversity, climate resilience, and conservation, while also eliminating fossil fuel use and incorporating geothermal energy as part of a broader commitment to sustainability.
Teatown, a nonprofit nature preserve whose 1,000 acres spans the towns of Ossining and Yorktown, includes a two-acre island refuge for more than 230 species of native wildflowers, wildlife exhibits, science and stewardship projects, nature classes and camps.
“Environmental education is how we prepare the next generation to be stewards of the places we all share,” stated Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins. “By supporting this campus transformation, we are making a lasting commitment to accessibility, sustainability, and the future of our communities.”
Joan McDonald, deputy county executive and chairperson of the Westchester County LDC, stated the financing “enables Teatown to modernize its facilities, expand its educational reach, and serve even more students and families who benefit from connecting with the natural world right here in our region.”
Teatown Executive Director Kevin Carter called the project “a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine our campus in a way that truly reflects our mission” and thanked the LDC for its support.
During construction, the renovation is projected to generate approximately 35 jobs, representing $3.8 million in earnings and $5.7 million in economic activity in the county, according to the LDC. Upon completion, the project is projected to retain 103 full-time positions, including 70 direct jobs, supporting approximately $4.6 million in annual payroll and $18.1 million in annual economic impact.
The total project budget is approximately $22.77 million, with additional funding coming from approximately $2.9 million in state grant funding through DASNY, Empire State Development, and other sources.
The LDC’s financing bridges the receipt of Teatown’s previously awarded grants and pledged funds, enabling the project to proceed on its planned timeline and at full scale. The approval followed a required public hearing.
Visit teatown.org/visitors/ for details on what’s open and what’s closed during renovations.
