Open space…
318-acre Parker Estate to Become Preserve
By Linda S. Rae
Reprinted from The Lewisboro Ledger, May 22, 2003
Bylane Farm—J Henry Fair photo
Imagine 120 acres of meadows, gardens, ponds and forests, right in the heart of
Lewisboro, donated as a nature preserve for the public to enjoy… Not fiction,
but fact: when Mrs. Mary Welsh Parker of Todd Road in Katonah died in November
2001 at the age of 109, she left her land and 18th century house to the Bedford
Audubon Society. Since the property, Bylane Farm, backs up to the Audubon’s
Ramsay Hunt Sanctuary off North Salem Road, the donation has resulted in a
nature preserve stretching across 318 acres of Lewisboro’s loveliest valleys and
ridges.
Last Sunday, Audubon members and a few others in the community got together for
a preview of the house and property and to take the first steps in forming a
steering committee or “Friends of Bylane Farm,” which will develop a master plan
for the preserve. Members of the Parker family, including Mary Welsh Parker’s
son, Foxhall Parker, who moved to the house in 1928 when he was two years old
and spent his boyhood there, were on hand. The Audubon Society plans to invite
in groups from the community to get feedback on how they think the property
should be used, and will host a grand opening and open house later in the year.
Mrs. Parker, known locally as “Polly” Parker, stipulated that 20 acres of the
original property be subdivided and sold as a complete parcel, so that the
proceeds could be used to create an endowment to maintain the preserve. That
subdivision is currently nearing approval before the Lewisboro Planning Board.
John Askildsen, President of the Bedford Audubon Society, said that the National
Audubon Society has indicated that it will assist with some of the plans under
consideration. These include redecorating the house, which dates to 1725, in
period style, and redesigning the landscape. Mr. Askildsen said that the Bedford
Audubon Society also hoped to set up a library, install a resident scientist and
offer ornithological programs. The Cornell Cooperative Extension Master
Gardeners Program has agreed to designate the farm as a demonstration “master
garden,” to show local homeowners how to use native species without pesticides
or commercial fertilizers in their own backyards. Master Gardener Denise Lee,
who was present Sunday, is planning the gardens, which will include a lawn
planted with native grasses that use less water than other species, as well as
vegetable and flower gardens. In fact, National Audubon has expressed interest
in making Bylane Farm their first “Audubon at Home Center” to demonstrate
environmentally friendly gardening techniques.
Mr. Askilden introduced Jim Nordgren of South Salem as instrumental in the
initial stages of planning for the preserve. “It’s an incredible asset for the
community,” said Mr. Nordgren, a member of the Lewisboro Planning Board. “The
practical lessons to take back from the demonstration gardens will impact the
ecology of the region.” Mr. Nordgren said the group wanted input from as many
people in the community as possible.
The house sits on a rise overlooking two ponds, a 200-year old oak, stone walls
and undulating flower borders. Lilacs were in full bloom outside the old house.
Inside, wide floorboards, many-paned windows, antique chimneys and the odd nooks
and crannies of eighteenth century architecture added to the charm of the old
house. Outside, hiking trails crisscross the property, which sits on both sides
of Todd Road, and connect with the trails in the Hunt preserve.
Mr. Parker, who lives a few miles away on Honey Hollow Road, was pleased with
his mother’s disposition of the property. “I can’t think of a better use for
it,” he said.
Anyone interested in becoming involved at the new preserve should contact the
Bedford Audubon Society at 232-1999, or visit
www.bedfordaudubon.org.
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