In 1950, the owner of the estate, Kenneth Ward, donated the pleasure grounds around the building to the village (which is now part of the City of York), to build the Ethel Ward Memorial Playing Field. The playing field now contains a children playground, ball playing courts, a scout center, and more. It is also the location of the village fairs and celebrations.
Haxby Hall itself (now with only 3 acres of land) was demolished in 1960, and in 1965 it was replaced by Haxby Hall Residential Home for the elderly (with accomodations for 52 elderly people), and an adjoining ambulance station.