From the turn of the century the Old Putnam Railroad Line carried passengers and produce into New York City from the outer suburbs and surrounding farmland. Although the line was abandoned over forty years ago, many of the train stations remain and the once vacant right-of-ways are being reclaimed as greenways and bike trails.
The Town of Yorktown has retained IQ to develop plans for a park with one such historic station structure as its focal point. The former station will be programmed as a cafe intended to serve the many recreational bikers anticipated along the North County Trail bikeway system. The restored building will be flanked by a new restroom facility and bicycle rental pavilion which will recall the architectural heritage of Westchester County’s train stations.
A terrace, beer garden, and picnic grove will provide an outdoor retreat and rest stop along the bikeway and draw travelers into the nearby shops and commercial district of the Hamlet of Yorktown Heights. Spatially defined by berms, flowering trees, and a crescent shaped mall, open lawns will become areas for a farmers’ market, art shows and outdoor fairs. Inlaid with fabricated scrolls of characters and symbols reflecting Yorktown’s history, period lighting fixtures, benches, and archway portals, will create gateways into this new village green.
