Acquisition will create public trails and outdoor recreation opportunities on property surrounding Warwick Conference Center
WARWICK – Town of Warwick Supervisor Jesse Dwyer and the Open Space Institute (OSI) have announced a partnership to preserve approximately 313 acres surrounding the Warwick Conference Center property.
The protection will expand recreational access across New York and New Jersey through an extensive trail system connecting Warwick Town parks as well as tying into New Jersey’s Wawayanda State Park.
“We are proud to carry on the tradition of protecting open space and preserving the scenic character of Warwick,” Dwyer said. “Working with Open Space Institute, this collaboration will safeguard against overdevelopment for years to come. This initiative ensures that future generations will be able to enjoy and benefit from this beautiful parkland.”
Under an agreement, OSI will purchase a large portion of the Warwick Conference Center land, excluding the land surrounding the conference center buildings, by the end of August this year. The Town of Warwick will buy the land from the OSI for its appraised fair market value of approximately $4 million using a combination of the Town’s community preservation fund and public grant funding. The Town intends to apply for a $3.5 million grant from the NY DEC Open Space Conservation Grant Program.
The property is currently exempt from property taxes through a religious exemption so there will be little to no impact to tax ratables. Located near Wawayanda State Park, among the largest state parks in New Jersey, and the Appalachian Trail, public access will be granted as soon as the sale is complete. It is important to note that the Warwick Conference Center will retain the private retreat center and surrounding land off of Hoyt Road, which will not be open to public access. Warwick, which has protected more than 5,000 acres over the last 25 years, will later establish a Town Preserve on the former Warwick Conference Center property.
“When you walk the beautiful trails on this property, you can tell that it has been part of many memories under the Warwick Conference Center’s care over the years,” said Matt Decker, Land Project Manager, OSI. “OSI is proud to be working with the Town of Warwick to continue that legacy by creating new ways for people to get outside and connect with nature in New York and New Jersey while safeguarding a critical area for wildlife, plants, and clean water. Warwick has been a trailblazer in the use of Community Preservation Funds, which are a powerful tool for municipalities to protect the places that mean the most to them.”
The property surrounding the Warwick Conference Center is highlighted by rolling hills, forested areas, and expansive natural landscapes. The land also includes woodlands, informal networks, elevated viewpoints, offering hiking and nature observation.
The Warwick Conference Center is a nonprofit retreat and conference facility set on a 456-acre hilltop estate. Established in 1959 by the Reformed Church in America, the center was developed as a place for spiritual formation, group retreats, and community gatherings.
“The Board of the Warwick Conference Center is excited to have the
opportunity to work with OSI and the Town of Warwick to conserve this
amazing property and leverage the proceeds of the sale to provide the
much needed resources to help build the next chapter of God’s work in
this place”, said Roger Vander Plaat, a Warwick Conference Center, Inc.
Board Member who chairs the committee overseeing the sale of this
property.
Following the announcement, Supervisor Jesse Dwyer expanded on the significance of the project during remarks outlining the broader vision behind the acquisition. Speaking to both the immediate impact and the long-term direction for the Town of Warwick, Dwyer framed the partnership not simply as a land purchase, but as part of a continued effort to balance growth with preservation and to shape the community’s future. His full statement is provided below:
“Tonight, I’m proud to share an important step forward in the Town of Warwick’s long-standing commitment to preserving open space, expanding parkland, and protecting the character of our community.
The Town of Warwick has partnered with the Open Space Institute to preserve approximately 313 acres of land surrounding the Warwick Conference Center. This is not just another land acquisition — it is part of a broader, decades-long effort to ensure that Warwick remains a place defined by its natural beauty, its open landscapes, and its thoughtful, balanced approach to growth.
For more than 25 years, Warwick has led the way in open space preservation, protecting over 5,000 acres of land. Tonight’s announcement builds directly on that success. This acquisition represents our continued commitment to getting ahead of development pressure — not reacting to it after the fact.
By securing this property, we are preventing the potential for overdevelopment while simultaneously creating new opportunities for public use. This land will become a Town preserve, adding to our park system and offering residents expanded access to trails, passive recreation, and the outdoors.
Perhaps most exciting, this property will help create meaningful connections — linking our existing Town parks with regional trail systems and even extending access into New Jersey’s Wawayanda State Park. This is the kind of forward-thinking planning that enhances quality of life not just for today’s residents, but for generations to come.
From a fiscal standpoint, this project is being pursued responsibly. The property is already tax-exempt, meaning there will be little to no impact on our tax base. We are also aggressively pursuing outside funding, including a $3.5 million grant through the New York State DEC, to significantly offset the Town’s investment.
This is exactly what our Community Preservation Fund was designed to do — protect critical lands, expand recreational opportunities, and ensure that Warwick continues to grow in a way that reflects our community values.
Let me be clear: there will always be development. But in Warwick, we make sure that growth is balanced with preservation. This project is a perfect example of that philosophy in action.
I want to thank the Open Space Institute for their partnership and shared vision. Together, we are not just preserving land — we are shaping the future of Warwick.”
About the Open Space Institute
The Open Space Institute is a national leader in land conservation and efforts to make parks and other protected land more welcoming for all. Since 1974, OSI has partnered in the protection of more than 2.5 million at-risk and environmentally sensitive acres in the eastern United States. OSI’s land protection promotes clean air and water, improves access to recreation, provides wildlife habitat, strengthens communities, and combats the devastating impacts of extreme weather. Learn more at openspaceinstitute.org.
