Enjoy the Spring Weather at These 5 Westchester County New York Parks

With spring on the way, you’re likely feeling the urge to get outside and explore the beautiful landscape that makes up Westchester County, New York. Our area features an abundance of natural spaces where you can hike, bike, picnic, and play. If you’re ready to get outdoors and start enjoying the spring weather, we have a great list of destinations for you to check out. Whether you’re entertaining small children or hiking with adults, there’s something on this list that you’ll love.

Sprout Brook Park

A local favorite, Sprout Brook Park has been part of the Town of Cortlandt since 1986. This spacious park features a playground, nature trails, and picnic areas, so you’ll have everything you need for a peaceful afternoon of family fun. Pack a lunch, let the kids run, and soak up the springtime air. The park also features a soccer field, two softball fields, and an all-purpose lacrosse field for additional recreation.

The Mickey Carbone Pavilion is a large, covered picnic pavilion with several tables, which is an excellent place for a bite when not in use. If you’re hosting a special event, you can reserve the pavilion for up to 200 people. Weekday rates are $75 for 25 to 100 people and $150 for 101 to 200 people. On weekends and holidays, pavilion rental is $150 for up to 100 people and $200 for up to 200 people.

Sprout Brook Park also features the Cortlandt Dog Park. Situated between the soccer and softball fields, the park offers the perfect place for pups to play. The fenced park has both small dog and large dog areas. Children under the age of 10 are not permitted in the large dog area, and children under the age of 5 are not permitted in either dog park. Dogs must be supervised at all times, and owners may not bring more than three dogs at a time. There’s no fee to enjoy the dog park.

Location: 130 Sprout Brook Road, Cortlandt.

Hours: 10 a.m. to dusk in season; 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. off season.

Cortlandt Waterfront Park

The Cortlandt Waterfront Park sits along the Hudson River, offering beautiful views and plenty of manicured lawns where you can relax and enjoy the warming days of spring. The park covers nearly 30 acres and includes a pedestrian trail from Broadway to Riverview Avenue, a picturesque overlook with benches, an aviation-themed playground, and horseshoe pits.

Cortland Waterfront Park’s great lawn and dance floor are ideal for live music events. In summer, the great lawn also hosts outdoor movies. On Thursday nights from June through August, the park frequently offers music and movies, but you don’t have to wait for summer to enjoy the space. The park has a boat launch and fishing pier where you can enjoy both fishing and crabbing. Avian enthusiasts will find outstanding opportunities for birding with blue herons, red-tailed hawks, and eagles in the area.

Location: 77 Riverview Ave., Verplanck.

Hours: 7 a.m. to dusk.

Jane E. Lytle Memorial Croton Arboretum

You can access Jane E. Lytle Memorial Croton Arboretum via a public-access easement through the adjacent golf course. The arboretum covers 22 acres featuring a rich wildlife habitat of woods and wetlands brimming with plants and animals. The land was donated to the Village of Croton in 1991 to preserve the endangered wetland habitat within. The arboretum hosts conservation programs and educational activities to help promote wetland restoration, water quality monitoring, and habitat preservation.

The arboretum’s main trail loop covers about 0.6 miles and includes a boardwalk over portions of the swamp as well as three bridges. You can easily traverse the central loop in around 20 minutes, but you may want to linger longer to take in the sights. The loop also has several offshoots that you can explore to extend your time in the area. The Highland Trail branches off to the Highland Lookout and Brinton Brook Sanctuary, whereas the Overlook Trail and Rubin’s Trail branch off into the upland hardwood forest.

Location: 10 Fox Road, Croton-On-Hudson.

Hours: Dawn to dusk, daily.

Lake Meahagh Park

Lake Meahagh Park is a popular springtime spot for a leisurely walk and birdwatching. Visitors eagerly seek out beautiful bald eagle sightings here. The park’s walking path also offers charming views of the Hudson River. The area is popular for fishing and picnicking on sunny spring days. If you’re looking for a place for some outdoor fun, take a basketball and hit the courts here. This is a great destination to get some fresh air.

Location: 187 Westchester Ave., Buchanan.

Hours: 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily.

Bear Mountain State Park

If you’re looking for hiking and biking opportunities this spring, head to Bear Mountain State Park, where you can find ample trails. Families can enjoy the easy 1.5-mile Hessian Lake Loop, which begins and ends near Bear Mountain Inn, or the 1-mile Bear Mountain Dock trail, which takes you on a lovely stroll to scenic fishing and picnicking sites along the Hudson River.

Families may also want to stop and explore the Trailside Museums and Zoo, which houses injured and orphaned animals. You can view the resident beaver, bobcat, red fox, black bears, coyotes, turkey vultures, great horned owl, and more. The zoo also includes a butterfly garden, a geology museum, and a historical museum.

If you’re looking for something more rugged, try the challenging Popolopen Torne, which climbs 500 feet to a breathtaking vista over the park. This trail covers 4.8 miles using the roadways or 6.3 miles if you take the Fort Montgomery route. The 6.8-mile Bald Mountain trail is another challenging option that climbs almost 1,000 feet to the top of Bald Mountain.

Location: Palisades Parkway or Route 9W N. Bear Mountain.

Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset.

Did we include your favorite local parks on the list? If we missed a great spot, contact our team at Bill Volz Westchester and let us know. We love having the best suggestions in the area for our customers as they head off the lot in search of their next adventure.

Photo Credit: Image by S’well is licensed with Unsplash License

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