Prison to Park: The Final Chapter
Plans are in progress for uses of Transformation Trails in Warwick
By Geoff Howard
Closure of the Mid-Orange Correctional Facility in 2011 presented the Town of Warwick with a unique opportunity. Located on 750 scenic acres, including Wickham Lake, the facility started up in the 1930’s as the Warwick School for Boys and today looks more like a prep school campus than a “prison.” Warwick applied to purchase this unusual property almost immediately, but it took NY State three years, until 2014, before they approved the transfer, roughly 150 acres for commercial development at a cost of $3.7 million, and 600 acres of parkland for $1!
That purchase has turned out well for Warwick and its residents. The commercial areas have all been purchased now, resulting in a variety of businesses that offer both good jobs and needed tax revenue.
As for the park, in many ways, it was already there. Most of the 600 acres was already mowed lawn and mature trees, and there was also the pristine, undeveloped lake. There was, however, one 10-acre parcel, between the inner and outer prison fencing, that was totally overgrown, and this presented another opportunity to which a small group of Warwickians has responded.
What the Final Chapter is
Those 10 acres are now Transformation Trails (TT), named for the theme of transformation from Prison to Park. They represent a successful collaboration between community groups, the Town government and its Department of Public Works, and a few local businesses.
The TT area is already well on its way with over 60 trees planted as part of an eventual arboretum, land newly cleared for a large pollinator meadow and plans for a sculpture garden, exercise stations, educational activities for schools, and eventually a public amphitheater for a variety of community events.
This year, 2025, is expected to see progress on all fronts, especially if the anticipated grant funding comes through, and when this “final chapter” is completed and open to the public, planned for 2026, there will be further news to report.
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