Portion of Hospital Parking Lot to be Swapped to Become Designated Park Land for Full Restoration of the Color Gardens
Portion of the Color Garden on City of Yonkers parkland at Untermyer Gardens
(Photo credit: Stephen F. Byrns/Untermyer Gardens Conservancy)
On July 22, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano announced the City of Yonkers, St. John’s Riverside Hospital and the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy have signed an agreement to make a land swap of land owned by the City and the hospital. A portion of the parking lot at the hospital will be relocated, which will enable the Conservancy to restore the last major element of the historic Untermyer Gardens, called the Color Gardens.
The Color Gardens were a series of axially aligned terraces connected by stairs, each planted with flowers of a single color: pink, blue, red, white and yellow. Adjacent to the Vista, two of them are owned by the City and are clearly visible. The other gardens are currently owned by the hospital and are either used for parking or overgrown. The land swap will enable the parcels to be joined together once again as dedicated parkland, which must be approved by New York State.
Mayor Spano stated, “This public-private partnership is a powerful example of how collaboration can honor our past while investing in our future. By realigning land use through this thoughtful swap, we’re setting the stage for the full restoration of the magnificent Color Gardens and enhance the beauty and accessibility of it for generations to come. Thank you to the leadership at St. John’s Riverside Hospital, Yonkers Parks Department and Untermyer Gardens Conservancy for the shared vision and commitment to our City. Together, we are continuing to position Yonkers and the Gardens as a premier destination.”
“St. John’s is committed to the great partnership between these two historic Yonkers institutions, and the land swap is a natural extension of this partnership. This is a prime example of neighbors being good neighbors. Additionally, the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy has created a relaxing and healing environment which benefit both our patients and staff,” said Ron Corti, President and CEO of St. John’s Riverside Hospital.
Stephen F. Byrns, president of the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy, said “Negotiations for this land swap have been going on for twelve years. The land swap is a major achievement which will add another compelling feature to one of America’s greatest and favorite public gardens.”
It is hoped that the necessary approvals for relocating the parking lot will take place in the next year, with the relocation of the parking lot taking place in late 2026. When this work is complete, the Conservancy will undertake the restoration of five Color Gardens, which will feature fountains and statuary.
With over 300,000 annual visitors, Untermyer Gardens is one of the top tourist attractions in Westchester County. Once a private garden and owned since 1946 by the City of Yonkers, it was called “America’s most spectacular garden” by the national press in the 1920’s, and is considered the crown jewel of Yonkers.
