NY Will Close COVID Testing Site, Return Glen Island To County

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The first drive-through coronavirus testing site opened in New York will close on June 25.

The end of testing at the Westchester County park marks something of a milestone. In March 2020, Glen Island became a tangible symbol of the growing global pandemic. As coronavirus infection rates began to grow out of control, the park was ordered closed to the public. The island's green space instead became a remarkably busy drive-through COVID-19 testing site. The island park on the Long Island Sound also became a base of operations for National Guard troops deployed to New Rochelle by the governor in an attempt to contain one of the first coronavirus clusters identified in the country.

SEE ALSO: Glen Island Park Quietly Reopens For Walkers

The park re-opened earlier this spring, but coronavirus testing continued. Now, Westchester County Executive George Latimer says state activity at the park will end and control of Glen Island will return to the county.

The parking lot at Glen Island Park continues to be a COVID-19 testing site (Jeff Edwards)

“Another sign that we are winning the war against COVID-19 is the announcement that New York State is closing the drive through testing site at Glen Island Park on June 25," Latimer said in a statement on Tuesday. "There was a time when we so desperately needed COVID-19 testing, a time that the lines to be tested were long and stressful, but today, with over 74% of the County vaccinated, we are entering another phase of life."

Earlier this year, Latimer said that he had instructed parks officials to begin preparing the beach at Glen Island for opening as soon as he received word from New York state officials that the park would return to county hands. The county executive stopped short of announcing an opening date for the beach facilities, but work crews and heavy equipment have been visibly busy readying the beach over the past two weeks.

“I am thankful to the State for all that was done to help Westchester County and I am thankful to the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation & Conservation for working to get Glen Island up and running when we needed it most," Latimer said “I look forward to this summer, when the Park will be turned over to the people of Westchester County – and I look forward to enjoying Glen Island Park again.”

Cars lined up for COVID testing at Glen Island Park during the earliest days of the pandemic. (Jeff Edwards)