These are some Westchester County-owned parks, most of which contain considerable open space and natural areas. Preserves, sanctuaries and conservancies are passive recreational areas for nature study, photography and quiet reflection. Mixed-use parks have facilities for active sports. For more information about these and other county facilities, visit Web site at www.westchestergov.com/parks (includes maps you can print out) or call (914) 864-7000 to request brochures and bike trail maps.

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Bald Mountain
(see John E. Hand Park at Bald Mountain)

Blue Mountain Reservation
Welcher Avenue
Peekskill
(914) 862-5275
1,538 acres with, picnicking, hiking, nature study, cross country skiing, fishing, and mountain biking.

Briarcliff Peekskill Trailway
Cortlandt, Peekskill
Ossining
A 12-mile hiking trail. Connects Blue Mountain, Croton Gorge, Bald Mountain,  Teatown Reservation, and Charles Cook Park.

Bronx River Parkway Reservation
(914) 723-4058
797 acres of mixed-use open space along the Bronx River with path for biking, jogging, walking, and cross-country skiing.

Cranberry Lake Preserve
One Old Orchard Street, off Rt. 22 North White Plains
(914) 428-1005
165 acres of unspoiled forest. Includes a 10-acre pond highlighted by interpretive trails and boardwalks. A naturalist conducts frequent programs. Biodiversity study underway.

Croton Gorge Park
Route 129
Cortlandt
(914) 827-9568
109 acres for picnicking, hiking, nature study, fishing, cross country skiing.   Includes ballfield. Park lies at base of Cornell Dam (Croton Dam) on the Croton Reservoir. Croton River on property.

Croton Point Park
Croton Avenue
Croton-on-Hudson
(914) 271-3293
508 acres on Hudson River for mixed use including swimming beach, plus RV, cabin and tent camping. Programs are offered. Highly sensitive natural areas of marshlands and woods. Birdwatching on former landfill.  Nature Center with naturalist.

Edith G. Read Natural Park and Wildlife Sanctuary
Playland Parkway
Rye
(914) 967-8720
174-acre wildlife preserve includes one-quarter mile stretch of Long Island Sound shoreline, a saltwater lake known as an excellent site for bird observation and some woodlands and scattered fields. Naturalist-conducted programs.

George’s Island Park
Dutch Street off Route 9A
Montrose
(914) 737-7530
204 acres on Hudson River. Mixed use and boating. Boat launching facility. Picnic shelter. Hiking trail on part of Hudson River Greenway.

Glen Island Park
Pelham Road
New Rochelle
(914) 813-6720/1 (winter); (914) 813-6738/9 (summer)
105 acres on Long Island Sound for mixed use. Beaches, boat launching and picnic areas.

Graham Hills
Mount Pleasant, Route 117
431 acres of natural land for hiking, mountain biking, and nature study.

John E. Hand Park at Bald Mountain
Blinn Road
Yorktown
112 acres with existing trails, views of New York City and to the west and east. Steep topography.

Kensico Dam Plaza
North Castle/Mt. Pleasant
(914) 328-1542
98 acres featuring large grassy mall in front of Kensico Dam. Picnicking, events, concerts, ice skating, bicycling, and roller/in-line skating.

Kingsland Point Park
Palmer Avenue, off Route 9
Sleepy Hollow
(914) 631-1068
18-acre, mixed-use park on Hudson River. Ballfields, picnic areas, kayaking and access to Tarrytown Lighthouse.

Kitchawan Preserve
Yorktown
208 acres for hiking, cross country skiing and passive recreation on wooded trails.

Lasdon Park & Arboretum/Bird and Nature Sanctuary
Route 35, Somers
(914) 864-7260
234 acres features many species of trees and shrubs, including formal gardens in season. Hiking trails and a Vietnam War Memorial. Arboretum area open limited hours.  Visitor Center, plant gift shop and concerts.

Lenoir Preserve
North Broadway, Yonkers
(914) 968-5851
The county’s most urban nature center is located on 40 acres on the Yonkers/Hastings border. Rolling meadows with unobstructed views of the Hudson River and the Palisades. Large butterfly and hummingbird garden and dragonfly pond. Naturalist-conducted programs.  Adjacent to Old Croton Aqueduct Trailway State Park.

Macy Park
(see V. Everit Macy Park)

Marshlands Conservancy
Route 1, Rye
(914) 835-4466
170-acre preserve distinguished by a diversity of habitats, most notable being an extensive salt marsh and the largest meadow in southern Westchester. Its woods, fresh water ponds, streams and Long Island Sound shoreline provide undisturbed habitat for many animals and plants. Naturalist-conducted programs. Includes the 23-acre Jay property.

Mountain Lakes Park
Hawley Road
North Salem
(914) 864-7311
1,083 acres of mixed-use land including organized youth camping, swimming, boating, and hiking.

Muscoot Farm
Route 100
Somers
(914) 864-7282
777-acre, turn-of-the-century interpretive farm museum. Programs, events, hiking, and nature study.

North County Trailway
A paved pedestrian and bicycle pathway that spans 22.1 linear miles from Eastview north to the Putnam County border. Primarily on right-of-way lands of former Putnam Division of the NY Central Railroad. Owned by NYSDOT and operated and maintained by Westchester County.

Oscawana Island Park
Furnace Dock Road, off Route 9
Cortlandt
(914) 864-7000
161 acres for hiking and nature study. Wonderful views of Hudson River.

Playland Park
Playland Parkway
Rye
(914) 813-7010
313 acres on Long Island Sound with seaside walk and boardwalk. Designated a National Historic Landmark because it is one of the oldest amusement parks of its type in the country. Swimming beach and pool , picnicking, fishing, kayak rental, boating lake, and indoor ice skating.

Pocantico Lake Park
Old Sleepy Hollow Road
Briarcliff Manor
(914) 864-7000
164 acres. The park is a former water supply reservoir. Hiking, fishing, equestrian and nature study.

Read Sanctuary
(see Edith G. Read Natural Park and Wildlife Sanctuary)

Ridge Road Park
Ridge Road
Hartsdale
(914) 946-8133
170-acre mixed-use park for groups and families. Picnic shelters, ballfields and playgrounds. Undeveloped portion heavily wooded with some hiking trails.

Saxon Woods Park
Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains
(914) 285-4480
700 acres of mixed-use park with wooded nature trails. Swimming pool, mini golf, picnicking and playground.

Silver Lake Preserve
Lake Street
East White Plains 
(914) 864-7000
236 acres of land overlooking lake. Rich in geological formations and local history. Site of the first free black community in Westchester. Hiking trails, fishing and nature study.

South County Trailway
Runs 5.6 miles from Barney Street in Yonkers north to Route 119 in Elmsford.

Sprain Ridge Park
Jackson Avenue, Yonkers
(914) 231-3450
279 acres with trails and swimming pool.

Tarrytown Lakes/Butternut Ridge Park
Greenburgh/Tarrytown
122 acres. Predominantly native woodland. Hiking, walking, and nature study. Access 1 mile pathway from County House Road in Eastview (also called Saw Mill River Road). Paved pathway approximately 1.2 miles long along southern boundary of Tarrytown Lakes provides access to North County Trail connecting Eastview with Sunnyside Lane.

Tibbetts Brook Park
Midland Avenue
Yonkers
(914) 231-2865
161-acre, mixed-use park near urban centers. Picnic areas, ballfields and swimming pool. Festivals.

Twin Lakes/Nature Study Woods Park
Eastchester/New Rochelle
(914) 864-7000
220 acres for hiking, nature study, horse stables, equestrian trails and fishing.

V. Everit Macy Park
Saw Mill River Road, Ardsley
(914) 946-8133
172 acres with ballfields and picnic areas. Fishing and ice skating. Adjacent to South County Trail.

Wampus Pond
Route 128, Armonk
(914) 273-3230
102 acres mixed-use park includes boating and fishing.

Ward Pound Ridge Reservation/Trailside Nature Museum
Routes 35 and 121
Cross River
(914) 864-7317
4,315 acres of woods, fields and wetlands featuring a rustic museum built in 1938 which houses exhibits of the natural history of the park. Native American library and display.   20 miles of trails offer opportunities to explore, observe, study and enjoy the ecology of the area. Naturalist-conducted programs. High biodiversity. Camping, picnicking and fishing.

Willson’s Woods Park
East Lincoln Avenue
Mount Vernon
(914) 813-6990
23-acre, mixed-use park includes hiking, nature study, fishing and swimming pool.

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