Rye, New York

Rock and wetlands

The geology and hydrology of Rye is characterized by a significant quantity of rock, marshes and wetlands ^[6] which makes the city both desirably scenic but also challenging for developers.

Rye's bedrock is predominantly constituted of Fordham gneiss and Harrison diorite also known as Byram Black granite.^[16]

According to Rye's 1985 Master Plan, "Rye contains a variety of environmentally significant areas. Numerous tidal and freshwater wetlands are found near the waterfront and brooks. The Milton Harbor area (including the Marshlands Conservancy and Rye Golf Club), Disbrow Park and the Manursing area contain the most extensive wetlands in the City. In addition, substantial areas near the Sound, Milton Harbor, Blind Brook and Beaver Swamp Brook are within the 100 year flood hazard area, and thus subject to potential flooding."^[6] According to the City of Rye, "Considerable acreage of these important natural resources has been lost or impaired by draining, dredging, filling, excavating, building, polluting and other acts inconsistent with the natural uses of such areas. Remaining wetlands are in jeopardy of being lost, despoiled or impaired by such acts contrary to the public safety and welfare." As a result, the city has charged itself with the responsibility of "preventing the despoilation and destruction of wetlands and watercourses while taking into account varying ecological, economic, recreational and aesthetic values. Activities that may damage wetlands or watercourses should be located on upland sites in such a manner as not to degrade these systems."^[17]

In 2017, Rye resident and then New York State Senator George Latimer noted that wetlands maps for the area have not been updated in over 20 years ^[18]

Flooding

Flooding has long been an issue in Rye as in other coastal towns with water coming in from Long Island Sound. The Blind Brook watershed is also a source of that flooding with significant deluges recorded in the neighborhood of Indian Village after four days of rain in October 1975.^[19]

Three major weather events in just five years produced catastrophic damage in the town.

• Following major flooding in March 2007, the April 2007 nor'easter six weeks later left some homes in Rye with over five feet of floodwater.^[20][21]
• In 2011, the after effects of Hurricane Irene in August and Hurricane Maria in September included swelling of Blind Brook and submersion of private and commercial properties including the Rye Nature Center, Indian Village, the Rye High football field, businesses on Purchase Street and homes on Milton and Highland Roads.^[22]
• Storm surges from Hurricane Sandy in 2012 resulted in evacuations of many coastal residences and facilities including the Milton firehouse.^[23]

The city's response to these recurring hazards was to apply for funding through the NY Rising Community Reconstruction Program. Rye received $3,000,000 to safeguard the city against future flooding threats, upgrade its infrastructure for resiliency, identify stormwater mitigation solutions, and protect historic buildings and natural wetlands.^[24][25]

Starting on September 1, 2021, Rye experienced another substantial flooding event. The storm lasted two days and caused significant damage to municipal facilities, businesses and residences.^[26] Areas around Indian Village and other sections of the city that had previously flooded during Hurricane Irene were under 8–9 feet of water. Other areas around the town normally not affected by flooding were also affected. Prior to the flooding event, Rye had undergone approximately five inches of rainfall^[27] from Hurricane Henri.^[28] Two weeks later, the remnants of Hurricane Ida dropped another 8–9 inches of rain in the area within a 12-hour period.^[29][30] Hurricane Ida remnants caused flooding in Rye nearly 10 years to the day from Hurricane Irene.

Indigenous artifacts

As of 2010, 75 percent of the acreage in Rye had been determined to be archaeologically sensitive with many Indigenous contact sites.^[31][32][33] At least two villages have been determined to have existed.^[34] Unearthed artifacts include implements, bones, pottery, skeletons, and a burial ground at the site of the present Playland Casino.^{[35][36][37][38][39]}

Neighborhoods

Many of Rye's unique neighborhoods are defined in the 1985 Master Plan.^[12] Many have historic significance and their preservation was signaled as important for enhancing Rye's character. They include:

Proposed National Register District

Local or National Register Significance

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Rye had a population of 16,592. The median age was 42.3 years. 29.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 88.4 males age 18 and over.^[43][44]

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.^[45]

There were 5,654 households in Rye, of which 43.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 64.6% were married-couple households, 10.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[43]

There were 6,038 housing units, of which 6.4% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.2%.^[43]

Demographic estimates

According to Census Bureau QuickFacts, 74.8% of residents age 25 and over had a bachelor's degree or higher, and 51.7% of residents were female.^[46]

Historic sites

National Historic Landmarks

Boston Post Road Historic District, a National Historic Landmark District^[47] and former home of John Jay, includes five historically significant parcels:

• Marshlands Conservancy, part of original Jay Estate.
• Jay Estate, a 23-acre (9.3 ha) park with gardens operated by the Jay Heritage Center.^[48][49]
• The Jay Cemetery (established 1805)
• Lounsbury (1836–1838)
• Whitby Castle and Rye Golf Club (1852–54)

Playland, opened in 1928, is a 279-acre (113 ha) theme park which features rides, games, an indoor skating rink, beach, boardwalk, and concession stands. It is one of only two amusement parks in the United States designated a National Historic Landmark. Its wooden roller coaster, Dragon Coaster, built in 1929, is one of the last roller coasters built by Frederick Church still operating.^[50] The Derby Racer, also built by Church, is one of only two rides of its kind in the US ^[51] and one of three remaining in the world.^[52]

Sites on the National Register of Historic Places

Main article: National Register of Historic Places listings in southern Westchester County, New York

Other historic sites

• Two 200 plus year old milestones labelled 24 and 25^[53] on the Boston Post Road, the oldest thoroughfare in the United States.^[54] These sandstone markers likely date from when the Westchester Turnpike was configured^[55]
• A 1938 WPA mural by realist Guy Pene du Bois located in the city's post office lobby and titled John Jay at His Home.^[56]
• Two of the 16 sites on the African American Heritage Trail of Westchester County: The Rye African-American Cemetery and the Jay Estate.^[57]
• Wainwright House (1928), a 5-acre (2.0 ha) estate with gardens and central building commissioned by US Congressman J. Mayhew Wainwright. In 1951, the property was re-purposed as a religious center.^[58]
• Greenwood Union Cemetery – founded in 1837
• Rye African-American Cemetery – established in 1860^[59]
• Christ's Church (Episcopal) – established in 1695 as Grace Church; current building erected in 1866
• Church of the Resurrection

Parks and nature reserves

Rye has over 454 acres (184 ha) of green open space,^[12] as well as coastline.^[6]

• Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary (179 acres) established in 1985.
• Rye Nursery Park – acquired "for wetland restoration and park uses".^[60]
• Rye Town Park – opened in 1909.^[61]

Private and public clubs

Rye has numerous private country clubs, many of which were formed in the late 19th and early 20th century. The combined acreage of these clubs affords members and guests over 993 acres of recreation.^[62]

• American Yacht Club (founded in 1883) – sailing, tennis, paddle
• The Apawamis Club (1890) – golf, squash, tennis, paddle, swimming
• Rye Golf Club (1921)^[63] and Ryewood) – golf, swimming
• Westchester Country Club (1922) – golf, tennis, squash, paddle, swimming, beach

Recreation facilities

• Disbrow Park (51 acres) – tennis, baseball; dedicated as a park in 1930^[64][65]
• Rye Golf Club (126 acres) – golf, swimming; course designed by Devereux Emmet in 1921^[66]

Public schools

Most of the city is in the Rye City School District.^[69] Rye is served by three public elementary schools: Osborn, Milton, and Midland.

Rye Middle School and Rye High School are part of the same campus, and the two buildings connect.

The Greenhaven and The Preserve at Rye neighborhoods of the City of Rye^{[citation needed]} are served by the Rye Neck School District.^[69] Rye Neck High School and Middle School are on one campus also located partially in the City of Rye.

Private schools

• Rye Country Day School, Pre-K through 12th grade, a college preparatory school

Filming location

• Episodes of Dickinson were filmed at the Jay Heritage Center in 2021.^[72][73]
• Playland appeared in the films Fatal Attraction and Big.^[74]

Transportation

The Rye train station provides commuter rail service to Grand Central Terminal in New York City or Stamford and New Haven-Union Station via the Metro-North Railroad's New Haven Line. The Bee-Line Bus System provides bus service to Rye.

Police department

Rye Police Department has 36 sworn police officers. The Rye Auxiliary Police is an all-volunteer force that provides assistance when needed. The Westchester County Police also patrol areas of Rye. New York State Police patrols Interstate 95 and 287, and MTA Police patrol the Rye Train station and property within the Metro North right-of-way.^{[citation needed]}

Fire Department

The City of Rye Fire Department is staffed 24 hours a day by a total of twenty-three full-time professional firefighters and fire officers. The department also has five volunteer firefighters.

Rye Fire operates out of two fire stations. Station One, which also serves as Fire Headquarters, is in the village area in the northern part of the city. Station Two, otherwise known as the Milton Point Firehouse, is in the southeastern part of the city near Milton Harbor.

Emergency medical services

Emergency medical service is provided by Port Chester-Rye-Rye Brook EMS at the Advanced Life Support Level (ALS). The agency has 30 paid EMTs, 15 paramedics and five volunteers. They operate up to five ALS ambulances and three paramedic flycars from their station in Port Chester and responds to over 5,000 calls a year between Port Chester, Rye and Rye Brook.^{[citation needed]}