Glen Island Park

Glen Island Park is a 105-acre waterfront destination located on Glen Island in New Rochelle, Westchester County, New York. Situated within the Long Island Sound, the park occupies a site that originally consisted of five distinct islands, rocky outcroppings, and salt marshes before being connected to form a single landmass. It is surrounded by neighboring islands such as Davids, Neptune, and Travers, and lies near Hunter Island in the Bronx. Currently owned and operated by Westchester County, the park serves as a public recreational area featuring beach access and parking facilities that are exclusively reserved for county residents.

The location holds profound historical significance as the former site of Starin's Glen Island, a summer resort developed in the late 19th century by shipping magnate and Congressman John H. Starin. Often hailed as America's pleasure grounds, this resort is recognized as the first theme park in the United States. Its original innovative design showcased the five cultures of the western world, with each culture represented on its own individual island linked by causeways. Although much of the original resort has evolved, the modern park still contains remnants of these historic structures, preserving a unique chapter of American leisure history.

In addition to its 19th-century roots, the island became a cultural landmark during the 1930s Big Band Era due to the Glen Island Casino, now known as the Glen Island Harbour Club. This entertainment facility served as a major springboard to fame for legendary musical acts including Glenn Miller, the Dorsey Brothers, Ozzie Nelson, and Les Brown. Today, the park functions as a blend of natural waterfront scenery and historical preservation, sharing the island with the privately operated but county-owned club. While the landscape has changed from its days as a structured theme park, it remains a vital piece of local heritage and a popular spot for regional recreation.