Public Invited to Tour Proposed FASNY Conservancy

Two bird experts from the Teatown Lake Reservations will lead a walkthrough of the proposed 84-acre conservancy at the site of the former Ridgeway Country Club Saturday, according to a press release from Geoff Thompson, a spokesperson from the French-American School of New York.

The walk will cover two-thirds of the property, which would become a public nature preserve under the current FASNY proposal. The proposal would also convert 45 acres of the 129-acre property into a unified school campus.

The proposed campus on the southern end of the property would house about 1,200 students and 250 staff members. A large group of neighbors have objected to the proposal in its entirety, citing concerns over increased traffic and a change to the feel of the neighborhood.  

Charlie Roberto, a Teatown Lake Reservation trustee, and Dr. Mike Rubbo, director of conservation science at Teatown, will lead the walk starting at 8 a.m. Rubbo is currently overseeing a biodiversity study of the property for FASNY. Both have an extensive knowledge of the bird species found in the region, according to the release.

Located in Yorktown, Teatown is a leading regional environmental education center.

"The guided tour will give birders and nature lovers alike the opportunity to explore the diverse bird species at the former golf course," Thompson said in the release.

Anyone interested in attending should meet at the former Ridgeway Country Club building at 8 a.m. Reservations for the free tour can be made at info@greenstogreen.org.

The City of White Plains is currently reviewing FASNY's proposal for a special exempt permit to build on the land. Hundreds of people attended the first of two public hearings discussing the topic on Sept. 20 in City Hall.

The next public hearing on the issue is scheduled for Oct. 17.