Page 48 - 2024 Westchester Relocation & Moving Guide

OUTDOOR RECREATION
Get Outdoors
Croton Point Park
A Paradise of Trails
Whether you’re logging your 10,000 steps a day by hiking, walking, or running (or you’re “stepping” on two wheels), you’re in luck in our region. Hikers, walkers, runners, and bikers in Westchester love these spots:
Briarcliff-Peekskill Trailway: This 12-mile stretch of verdant parkland wends its way from Peekskill’s Blue Mountain Reservation all the way to northern Ossining.
Blue Mountain Reservation: Bikers thrill at the trails in this 1,500-acre park, while hikers choose from two prime destinations: Mount Spitzenberg and Blue Mountain.
Bronx River Parkway Reservation:
Westchester’s oldest park, Bronx River Parkway Reservation spans an impressive 807 acres in the southern segment of the county.
South County Trailway: Totaling 11.6 miles, following the original path of the former New York Central Railroad, the trailway runs through Southern Westchester, from Eastview to the New York City line.
The RiverWalk: Some 30+ miles of paved and unpaved paths, esplanades,
and sidewalks link dozens of village centers, historic sites, parks, and river- access points all along the Hudson River.
In the Hudson Valley, the Walkway Over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie
is a must-do. The campus of Vassar College and the trails in Hyde Park
are also popular running or walking spots, as well as the Harlem Valley Rail Trail — a 10.7-mile paved track
on an abandoned former rail line. For great water views, take a run over the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge on the newly completed path, and then keep going toward Nyack in Rockland County for more scenery. Bear Mountain State Park is another perennial favorite, with trails and paths plus gorgeous views.
Watersports
Whether it’s a quick dip in the Long Island Sound or an exploration of the Hudson River via paddleboard, the region offers abundant aquatic enjoyments.
Hudson River Recreation: Whether you are looking for a guided tour, lessons, standup paddle boarding, or simply want to rent a canoe
or kayak, give this popular local company a try. Locations are at Rye Beach, Tarrytown Lakes, Croton River, and Croton Point Park.
Hudson River Expeditions: Another superlative spot to rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard, this service with locations in both Cold Spring and Peekskill offers instruction to novice water warriors, as well as abundant vessels for hitting the river once you know the ropes.
Blue Mountain Reservation: For
those who love nothing more than a day spent fishing, head to Peekskill
for Blue Mountain Reservation’s two sizeable ponds, packed with abundant local fauna.
Croton Point Park: Perhaps one of Westchester’s most scenic spots for a swim, this 508-acre park tucked away in Croton-on-Hudson also features ample hiking and even camping — a rarity in the county.
Rye Playland Beach: A day at Playland isn’t complete without a stop at the park’s beach, where sunbathers and swimmers can revel in the sun and enjoy the Art Deco-style quarter-mile boardwalk with stunning views of the Long Island Sound.
Rockland Lake State Park: With a new water complex featuring a 25,000
sq. ft. zero-entry swimming pool
with diving boards, a spray ground, and two large water slides plus a playground for children, this is the place in Rockland County for a family- fun day.
Golf
Whether you’ve got skills that would impress Tiger or you’re just star ting
out, Westchester and the Hudson Valley offer a wealth of public courses that are perfect for all skill levels. Westchester boasts six 18-hole municipal courses: Dunwoodie, Maple Moor, Saxon Woods, Hudson Hills, Mohansic, and Sprain Lake. In Rockland County, you can hit the greens at county-run Patriot Hills Golf Course, Phillip J. Rotella Memorial Golf Course, and Rockland Lake Golf Course, while Orange County operates Hickory Hills and Stony Ford public courses. You can also spoil a good walk at three Dutchess county public courses: Beekman Golf Course, Dutcher Golf Course, and James Baird State Park Golf Course, or in Putnam at Putnam County Golf Course and Centennial
Golf Club. For a slightly elevated golf experience, there are countless country club, private, and semi-private golf courses to choose from as well.
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LIVING IN WESTCHESTER AND THE HUDSON VALLEY | RELOCATION & MOVING GUIDE