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Parks Update (1/2)

The Wightman Mansion parking lot at Lenoir Preserve is closed through the afternoon today, Thursday, Aug. 13.

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Parks Updates (2/2)

The section of walkway between Virginia Rd. and Fisher Lane. will be closed through Sunday, Aug. 16, due to the Bronx River Pathway Restoration project.

    Parks and Destinations

    bring turret gate

    Lenoir Preserve

    Butterfly garden artwork
    Lenoir Preserve is a 40-acre nature preserve comprising woodlands and field habitats. It is adjacent to the Old Croton Aqueduct on slopes overlooking the Hudson River, providing spectacular views.

    The property was formerly home to two Hudson River estates and boasts a number of unusual specimen trees and shrubs imported from around the world. Among them are some magnificent copper beeches from Europe, gingko trees from Asia and Douglas firs from the Pacific Northwest. These imports join native sugar maples, red oaks, hemlocks, pines and tulip trees in providing shelter for many kinds of wildlife including woodpeckers, owls and bats.

    Every spring and autumn, bird watchers gather to observe major hawk migrations. Nature enthusiasts can learn about raptor identification markings, such as flight patterns and silhouettes, and can take part in official tracking counts of raptors.

    In summer, the butterfly garden is at its height, visited by a wide variety of butterflies. Nearby, a dragonfly pond provides the necessary habitat for numerous aquatic insects and attracts birds and other wildlife. The butterfly and hummingbird garden is maintained entirely by volunteers from Hudson River Audubon Society.

    The Nature Center houses many different nature exhibits.

    Trails Without Limits
    An accessible adaptive hike program. Learn more.

    After school nature connection programs
    Kids in grades two through 12 can join Wayfinders on the Hudson this fall for a unique opportunity to explore connections with nature, ourselves, each other and our communities through individual (one-on-one) mentoring, weekly fire circles and immersive nature connection games, social emotional learning, leadership development, and community building. More information and registration.

    The Ribbons of Remembrance
    Westchester County remembers the memory of loved ones lost during the pandemic.

    Celebrate your birthday with us
    Outdoor birthday parties are available for three to 13-year-olds, Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

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

    Wheelchair accessibleParkingRest roomsDrinking waterPicnickingTrailhead for hikingStay on trailsWinter recreational areaCross country skiingNature studyBird sanctuaryPlease recycle
    • Admission and fees: County park pass is not required for admission.
    • Directions: 19 Dudley Street, Yonkers, NY 10701
    • Nature Center hours: September through June, Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; July and August, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Trails are open every day dawn to dusk.
    • Phone: (914) 968-5851
    • Restrooms: portable potties available daily. Main building* available daily during regular park hours. (*restrooms temporarily closed)
    • County parks map and guide
    • Children's camp
    • Birthday parties: Email to arrange: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    • Service animals welcome. 
    butterfly on thistle flower

    Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary

    woods

    Located on the shore of the Long Island Sound, along a migratory flyway, this 179-acre sanctuary is home to a great diversity of marine life.

    In winter months, the 85-acre lake, a mixture of salt and fresh water, hosts over 5,000 ducks. The sanctuary has been recognized by the national Audubon Society of New York as an Important Bird Area due to its significant habitats and flyway.

    There are three miles of trails through forest and field. Along the half-mile of publicly accessible shore, the intertidal habitat harbors a wide diversity of plants and animals.

    Maps and information are available at the nature center. The building also houses a small number of exhibits on the ecology of the area. Checklists of seasonally distinct bird species are also available.

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

    Wheelchair accessibleParkingRest roomsDrinking waterDogs are not permitted at any time.Stay on trailsSwimming prohibited signNo campfiresNature studyBird sanctuaryPlease recycle
    • Admission and fees
      • County park pass is not required for admission.
      • Access to Read Sanctuary and kayak launch is possible by becoming a member of the Friends of Read Wildlife Sanctuary Inc., a non-profit group associated with the nature preserve. Members are issued a bar-coded membership card that allows access via the Playland parking lot. This access is for the sanctuary and launch only. Applications are available at the sanctuary or online at the Friends of Read Wildlife Sanctuary membership page.
      • Read Parking fee: effective May through October.
    • Directions: Playland Parkway, Rye, NY 10580
    • Visitor Center hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., open daily. Trails are open every day, dawn to dusk.
    • Phone: (914) 967-8720
    • Restrooms: Portable potties available daily year-round. Main building available daily during regular park hours.
    • Trail map
    • County parks map and guide
    • Museum
    • Service animals welcome.

    Croton Point Nature Center

    Exhibits about the Hudson River, local history, flora and fauna.

    The Croton Point Nature Center is located at the 504-acre Croton Point Park, the largest peninsula on the Hudson River. The building houses exhibits on local flora and fauna including Hudson River specimens, local and Native American history and hands-on activities. Restroom, maps, and information are also available in the nature center.

    There are four miles of Hudson River shoreline to explore. The park, which attracts Bald Eagles in winter, is an Important Bird Area (IBA). A capped landfill is now a vast meadow abundant in species of birds and butterflies. The park's historical structures have been designated as a historic district.

    Amenities
    Hover your mouse pointer over the symbol for more information.
    wheelchairparkingrestroomsdrinkingwaterbaseball fieldspicnic areapetsonleashtrailheadtrailsnaturestudybird sanctuaryrecycling
    • Admission and fees
      • County park pass is not required for admission
      • Parking fee: $5 with Park Pass, $10 without Park Pass -- weekends only in May and September until Sunday, Sept. 27; Daily Saturday, May 23 through Labor Day.
    • Directions: Croton Point Avenue, Croton-on-Hudson, NY
    • Nature center hours: Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday (Closed Monday). Trails are open every day dawn to dusk.
    • Restrooms: Inside building, available daily, during regular park hours.
    • Phone: (914) 862-5297
    • County parks map & guide
    • Dogs: Must be leashed.
    elevated plank walkway

    Cranberry Lake Preserve

    water lilies floating on water
    Cranberry Lake Preserve is a 190-acre park operated by the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation.

    Since 1967, the park has been a safe haven for animals and plants, including migratory birds, turtles, and dragonflies. Within the preserve are a variety of habitats including a four-acre lake, cliffs and scrubland, mixed hardwood forest, vernal pools, and a swamp. Visitors can learn about the area's past by following the History Trail to the remains of a 19th-century farmhouse and early 20th-century stone-mining operation.

    The Nature Center offers family-oriented nature programs on weekends and houses a variety of interactive, educational displays and live animals.

    Celebrate your birthday with us
    Outdoor birthday parties are available for three to 13-year-olds, Saturdays and Sundays between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

    Amenities
    Hover your mouse pointer over the symbol for more information.
    ParkingRestroomsDrinking waterCross country skiingMuseumNature studyStay on trailsBird SanctuaryTrailhead for hikingPlease recycleDogs are not permitted at any time.Swimming prohibited signprohibited fishing signNo bikes on trails
    • Admission and fees: County park pass is not required for admission. No parking fees.
    • Directions: 1609 Old Orchard Street, North White Plains, NY 10604
    • Park hours: Nature Center and front gate are open Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Trails open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to dusk, year-round.
      • The front gate will be open as normal.
    • Phone: (914) 428-1005
    • Restrooms: Portable potties available daily; main building* available daily during regular park hours of operation. (*restrooms temporarily closed)
    • Trail Map
    • History Trail map
    • County parks map and guide
    • Wildlife display
    • Nature study: Interpretive programs offered weekends during school year.
    • Field trips: A variety of subjects including Geology and Pond Exploration are offered to school groups and other organizations. Call to arrange.
    • Summer Camp: Children's Summer Ecology Program for grades one through nine
    • Birthday parties: Email to arrange: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    Rules

    • Cranberry Lake Preserve is a designated Biodiversity Reserve Area. Please keep this park a special place for wildlife by observing the following rules:
    • Take nothing but photos -all plants, animals and minerals are protected.
    • Service animals welcome.
    • Bicycles are not allowed on any of the trails- we recommend Graham Hills park.
    • Fishing is prohibited- we recommend Kensico Reservoir and Wampus Pond.
    • Stay on designated hiking trails.
    • Carry out what you carry in.
    • If you see areas in the preserve that need maintenance, please report them to the nature center.
    • Report any violation of these rules.

     

    grass and lake

    Marshlands Conservancy

    lake and marsh
    Marshlands Conservancy is a 147-acre wildlife sanctuary composed of diverse habitats. Forest, meadow, salt marsh and shore can be explored and appreciated here. There are three miles of trails and one-half mile of shoreline along the Long Island Sound.

    Located along the Atlantic migratory flyway, Marshlands is an excellent birdwatching location. More than 230 species have been sighted. The Marshlands salt marsh is one of few in New York accessible to the public for study and enjoyment.

    Please assist us by being respectful of park habitat, wildlife and other visitors by following these simple rules.

    Read about the Jay Property, which is located adjacent to Marshlands.

    Celebrate your birthday with us
    Outdoor birthday parties are available for three to 13-year-olds, Saturdays and Sundays between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

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

    ParkingRest roomsDrinking waterPicnickingDogs are not permitted at any time.Stay on trailsWinter recreational areaCross country skiingNature studyBird sanctuaryPlease recycleMuseum
    • Admission and fees: County park pass is not required for admission.
    • Directions: Route 1, Rye, NY 10580
    • Nature Center hours: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday and most holidays. The Nature Center staff may be involved in biodiversity studies on Fridays and the center may be closed. Please call (914) 835-4466 in advance. July through mid-August (during camp sessions) the center is open Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Trails are open every day dawn to dusk.
    • Phone: (914) 835-4466
    • Restrooms: Portable potties available daily; main building* available daily during regular park hours. (*restrooms temporarily closed)
    • Exhibits: The building displays a small number of changing exhibits and saltwater aquaria containing representative species of marine life.
    • County parks map and guide
    • Childrens' camp
    • Birthday parties: Email to arrange: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    • Service animals permitted.

    Group programs
    Environmental education programs are offered to schools, clubs, scouts and other groups by advance reservation. Group size is limited to 30, with a modest fee based on group size and length of program. Topics can be tailored to the needs and interests of the group and include a general introduction to habitats and flowering plants or invertebrates of the air, soil and intertidal zone.

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