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Parks and Destinations

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Twin Lakes Park and Nature Study

horse in coral
Twin Lakes Park in Eastchester and Nature Study Woods in New Rochelle, are composed of two land parcels separated by the Hutchinson River Parkway. The native woodland surrounds a series of lakes that make up the predominant character of the parks. Access to Nature Study Woods is on Webster Road in New Rochelle.

Twin Lakes Farm is Westchester’s largest and most diverse equestrian center, with boarding space and a riding academy that offers private and group lessons. Spread over two campuses within Twin Lakes Park, the center has more over 100 stalls, two indoor arenas, four outdoor arenas and miles of trails.

For the serious equestrian Twin Lakes Farm offers drill teams, interscholastic teams, trail lessons, horse showing and summer leasing or year-round boarding.

The show team comprises some the area’s finest horses and rider combinations. The team can be seen regularly at local horse shows and at national finals.

The center's summer camp incorporates riding, traditional camp activities and a popular horse show.

Open weekdays 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and weekends 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Access to Twin Lakes Farm is off California Road in Eastchester.

Amenities
Hover your mouse pointer over the symbol for more information.

Dogs are not permitted at any time.Trailhead for hikingStay on trailsSwimming prohibited signFishingNo campfiresWinter recreational areaIce skatingCross country skiingNature studyPlease recycleHorseback Riding
  • Admission and fees: County park pass is not required for admission.
  • Directions: California Road, Eastchester, NY 10709
  • Park hours: Open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to dusk, year-round.
  • Restrooms: Portable potties available daily.
  • County parks map and guide
  • Nature study
  • Dogs: Must be leashed. Please pick up after your pet.
  • Unauthorized motor vehicles, including electric bikes and scooters, are not permitted.
  • Twin Lakes Farm
    960B California Road, Bronxville 10708
    Phone: (914) 961-2192
    Fax: (914) 961-3102
road and hills

Graham Hills Park

trail in park
Graham Hills, a one-time hamlet and station on the Putnam Railroad, takes its name from Dr. Isaac Gilbert Graham, a Revolutionary War army surgeon, who settled there circa 1785.

The trails total about five miles in distance and are geared toward experienced riders. The route winds through the many diverse habitats of this beautiful 431-acre park. The trails are mostly single track, and can be used in both directions. Please exhibit caution and common sense while riding.

Amenities
Hover your mouse pointer over the symbol for more information.

Parking Rest rooms Picnicking Pets must be leashed. Waste bags provided for clean up. Trailhead for hiking Stay on trails MountainBiking Nature study Please recycle 
  • Admission and fees: County park pass is not required for admission.
  • Directions: Route 117, Mount Pleasant, NY 10570
  • Park hours: Open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to dusk, year-round.
  • Phone: (914) 231-4500
  • Restrooms: Portable potties available daily. 8 a.m. - dusk.
  • County parks map and guide
  • Dogs: Must be leashed. Please pick up after your pets.
sky and tree tops

Kitchawan Preserve

lake and surrounding woods
This property is a 208-acre natural preserve bordered by the New York City reservoir property and the North County Trailway, which runs along the eastern edge. The park features native woodland and open fields, where butterflies and migrating birds can be seen in abundance in late spring.

Kitchawan was a former research facility of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Hikers through the trails and unpaved roads that traverse the property will find remnants of old stone walls that typically divided crop fields and private properties a century ago. 

Amenities
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ParkingPets must be leashed.Trailhead for hikingStay on trailsWinter recreational areaNature studyPlease recycleCross country skiing

Ward Pound Ridge Reservation History

Grass Field

Originally part of Cortlandt Manor, the reservation was settled by farmers from Connecticut. The name Pound Ridge is credited to the Indians who originally lived in the area. They had a local pound in which they kept game on the hoof until they needed it for food. The Indians built an enclosure of saplings driven into the ground and drove their game into the pound. The name was spelled “Poundridge” until 1938, when the county bought the property and added the “Ward” to honor William Lukens Ward, Westchester’s Republican county leader from 1896 to 1933.

The park has a unique combination of a significant natural environment and a collection of buildings constructed over a 250-year period. A number of 18th and 19th century houses remain. The fields are historically related to the early farmhouses, and the unplanned landscape of the park is part of its antiquated charm.

Ward Pound Ridge Reservation abounds with open space consisting of meadows, wet meadows, sandy moraines and vernal ponds.  Its rustic woodlands include evergreen plantations, oak, hickory and maple forests and wooded wetlands. Two streams, Cross River and Stone Hill River, run through the park and are home to thirteen species of native and stocked fish.

In addition to trails, picnic grounds, camping areas and archaeological sites, Ward Pound Ridge Reservation is also home to Trailside Nature Museum, a small nature museum and Delaware Indian center. This structure was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression.

Lenoir Preserve Volunteers

Calling all those who love butterflies and gardening. Volunteers are needed in Lenoir Preserve's butterfly garden. The tasks to be performed are described below.

Contact the curator at (914) 968-5851 for more information and to volunteer.

Spring
General clean up, weeding, planting, pruning, grass cutting and trimming of the garden borders.

Summer
Weeding, weeding, and more weeding... daily watering particularly if it is a dry summer, grass cutting and trimming of the garden borders.

Fall
Continued weeding, collection of seeds, moving plants around garden beds, continued watering, grass cutting and trimming of the garden borders.

 

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