Bedford Audubon Society

Bylane Farm (Todd Road) was donated to the Society by friend and member Mary Welsh Parker in 2001. The former (Morgan and Mary Welsh Parker) residence was constructed in 1720. Original construction was done by the Weeks family, tenant farmers under landowner Gertrude Beekman, a daughter of Stephanus Van Cortlandt (d.1700), the original Lord of the Van Cortlandt Manor. Over the years various well-known families of the area owned the house. In 1922, the Parkers purchased the house and embarked on an elaborate expansion project. Using a well-known architect of the day, the roof was raised, and the east side of the house was expanded to include a butler’s pantry, service kitchen, and servant’s quarters. Much of the materials added in the 1928 expansion were procured from other 18th century homes that were salvaged, thus giving the Parker home architectural continuity. Mrs. Parker made painstaking efforts to keep the mood of the house that of an 18th century cottage. The perennial gardens are extensive, and were well known throughout the community. Bylane Farm is open by appointment only. Please call (914) 232-1999 for appointment and details.

Male Hooded Merganser in the pond at Bylane Farm The children of the endowment’s namesake established The Louisa and Jack Baur Endowment in 2001. The Baurs, formerly of Mount Holly Road, Katonah, were ardent conservationists, and had a strong appreciation for the town’s rural landscape and character. The aforementioned endowment was established to help pay for maintenance costs of the sanctuaries trail system, related structures and reference materials. Click to read a press release about the Baur family's gift.

The Rules that we ask all visitors to observe are more common sense oriented than anything else. PLEASE DO hike, walk, bird watch, photograph and enjoy nature. PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE ANYTHING from the Sanctuary, including rocks, mushrooms, flora, fauna, dead trees or branches, etc. Do not leave the trails or bring any pets of any kind to the Sanctuary. Please do not be loud, harass or bother wildlife or other visitors in any way. Please do not bring food onto the Sanctuary. Dog walking, Mountain and motorbikes are not permitted. The Sanctuary is open dawn to dusk. These rules were created and are enforced in order to maintain the Sanctuary for wildlife, and also to allow your visit to be an enjoyable one. We thank you for your cooperation!

click for main BAS Sanctuaries page