Formed in November 1994 to preserve the beauty and heritage of Jerome Park Reservoir, its plans include the creation of a 125 acre park encompassing both the reservoir and the land surrounding it.

In 1995, the Conservancy hired Gail Wittwer, a graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Design and a winner of the Prix de Rome, to work with the community to develop a park plan.

Her design reveals the park which lies hidden behind the chain-link fences, preserves the historic elements and scenic vistas, links discrete sections of the new park to the adjoining neighborhoods, and frames the reservoir in a way to encourage public use.