You’ve probably driven past it a thousand times if you live in Westchester. It sits right there on North Avenue, framing the front of New Rochelle High School like a postcard. Most people just call it "the lake by the high school," but Huguenot Park New Rochelle is actually one of the most functional, historical, and—honestly—underrated green spaces in the city.
It isn't a massive, sprawling forest where you’ll get lost for hours. It’s 20 acres. That’s it. But in a city as dense as New Rochelle, those 20 acres do a lot of heavy lifting.
The Twin Lakes Vibe
The heart of the park is the water. Technically, it’s Twin Lakes, though most regulars just treat it as one big scenic loop. If you’re looking for a hardcore hiking trail, look elsewhere. This is for the "I need to clear my head for twenty minutes" crowd. The walking trail around the water is about 0.7 miles. It’s flat. It’s easy. You’ll see seniors power-walking in tracksuits, high schoolers avoiding class, and plenty of dogs sniffing the same three bushes.
Fishing is allowed here, too. You won't catch a record-breaking marlin, but for local kids and hobbyists, it’s a solid spot to cast a line. In the winter? When the ice gets thick enough (which, let’s be real, is rarer these days), the city sometimes opens it up for seasonal ice skating. It feels very old-school New York when that happens.
Jack’s Friendship Garden: A Big Deal
If you have kids, you probably know about Jack’s Friendship Garden. It’s not just another plastic slide set. It was the first fully accessible, "boundless" playground in the city.
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The design is intentional. It’s built so that kids with and without disabilities can actually play together rather than in separate sections. It’s usually the loudest, happiest part of the park. Right next door is the Huguenot Children’s Library, which is basically a sanctuary. It’s a separate branch from the main downtown library, housed in this charming building that looks like it belongs in a storybook.
It makes the park a perfect "circuit" for parents:
- Run the kids at the playground.
- Cool off with some books at the library.
- Walk the dog around the lake.
- Head home before the high school bell rings and traffic on North Avenue becomes a nightmare.
The "Huguenot" Name is More Than Just a Label
Why Huguenot? It’s not just a fancy-sounding word. New Rochelle was literally founded by French Huguenots fleeing religious persecution back in 1689. They were refugees.
Jacob Leisler, acting for these families, bought 6,000 acres from John Pell. They named the settlement after La Rochelle, their last stronghold in France. When you walk through the park today, you’re standing on what was once the literal backbone of their new life. The park serves as a physical bridge between the city’s educational future (the high school) and its colonial past.
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The Real Talk on Maintenance and Safety
Is it perfect? No.
Like any urban park, it has its days. After a heavy rain, the paths can get a bit muddy, and the lake water... well, it’s a suburban lake. Don't expect crystal-clear Caribbean blue. The city has been talking about various "Master Plans" and design upgrades for Huguenot Park for a while now. They know it’s a high-visibility area. You’ll often see crews out there keeping the grass manicured, especially since it’s the "front yard" for the high school.
Parking can also be a bit of a "thing." Since it’s right on North Avenue and Eastchester Road, you’re competing with school traffic and library visitors.
Why It Still Matters in 2026
With all the massive high-rise development happening downtown—we’re talking 28-story towers like "The Alary" and "The Huguenot" (the apartment building, not the park)—places like this 20-acre patch of grass are becoming more valuable.
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As the city gets more "vertical," the need for horizontal space where you can actually see the sky becomes huge. Huguenot Park isn't trying to be Central Park. It’s a neighborhood anchor.
Tips for Visiting
- Timing is everything: Avoid the 3:00 PM rush when the high school lets out unless you enjoy being surrounded by a thousand teenagers.
- Library hours: Check the Huguenot Children’s Library schedule before you go; it’s a great "Plan B" if it starts to drizzle.
- Geese warning: They own the place. Watch where you step on the trails.
- Accessible entry: Use the paths near the library for the easiest access to the playground.
If you’re local, maybe give it another look. If you’re just passing through Westchester, it’s a great spot to stretch your legs without the chaos of a larger state park.
Practical Next Steps
To get the most out of your visit, park in the lot off North Avenue specifically designated for the library and playground. If you're planning on fishing, make sure your NYS license is up to date, as park rangers do swing by. For those interested in the history, take a five-minute drive down to Trinity Episcopal Church on Huguenot Street after your walk to see the actual site where the original settlers built their first stone church.