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Village of Croton Parks, Trails, & Open Space

Croton-on-Hudson is a community rich in natural beauty. Its rugged topography and location on both the Hudson and Croton Rivers provide a dramatic landscape with parks and open spaces that offer a wide range of passive and active outdoor activities. This page provides a description of the village’s parks, open spaces and trails. For further information, please call the Recreation Department at 914-271-3006

Village Parks

Black Rock Park

Black Rock Dog Park

Black Rock Park is located off of Quaker Bridge Road along the banks of the Croton River, and features areas for picnicking, fishing, bocce courts, and a fenced-in dog park with a dog agility course. A Village Resident/School District Recreation Photo ID is required for this park.  Residents must have a Dog Park Permit in order to access the Dog Park. From April 1 to September 30, Black Rock Dog Park hours are 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday-Friday and 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Saturday-Sunday. All visitors to the dog park must follow the Black Rock Dog Park Rules and Regulations. 

 

Accessibility and Other Considerations
The park is accessible by car. It has some picnic tables and benches. More benches will be added this summer along the river for rest, relaxation, and enjoying nature. There are no facilities.
 

 

Croton Landing Park

Croton Landing Park

Croton Landing Park stretches over a mile along the Hudson River and is located north of Senasqua Park, beyond the Yacht Club. Its paved walkway is part of the Westchester RiverWalk. The park has an athletic field, a restroom, a Bluebird Trail, and a 9/11 memorial. The paved pathway extends along the river with benches, a footbridge and informational signage. The park is located at the end of Elliott Way. There are no Residential Restrictions for this park. Dogs allowed on leash on path only.

 

Accessibility and Other Considerations
The park is a superb opportunity for recreation along the Hudson River and one of the most accessible. One can walk or drive in. Every parking area abuts the flat, wide, paved walkway. The grounds are flat and open. People socialize, sunbathe, play ball, read, bicycle, stroll, picnic, and more. Though at peak times many head over, one can still find quiet areas for downtime. 
This park is a good way to be part of a friendly outdoor community as nature provides enjoyment and fills the senses.

 

  • Feel the sensation and novelty of going over the footbridge
  • Watch and listen to the varied birds in the sky, land, and water
  • Look out over the Hudson to the boats, water skiing, and river animal life
  • Watch people catch fish off the rocks at the river's edge and have a friendly chat
  • Watch, hear, and smell the wildlife
  • Watch and hear the splash of the river current and waves against the rocks
  • Look at, touch, and smell the fragrances of the variety of flowers, trees, and grasses
  • Experience the different habitats including the short sandy area along the river's edge and the marsh
  • Watch the spectacular sunset over the river

 

Echo Canoe Launch

kayaks

The Echo Canoe Boat Launch is an access point to the Croton River and Hudson River, open to Canoes, Kayaks, Small Motorized Boats, no permit required. It is located at the South End of Croton Train Station, 20 Veterans Plaza. There are no Residential Restrictions for this park. Seasonal Kayak/Canoe Storage is available to Village and School District Residents April 15 - October 15 by lottery. Call 271-3006 for more information. Click here for more information regarding parking near the Echo Canoe Launch.

 

 
 
 
 
Accessibility and Other Considerations
Parking right at the launch and easy access into the boats make this popular with Seniors and others who make frequent use of this boat launch, especially for kayaking. Situated on the Croton River, the launch is a good alternative to boating on the Hudson River. The area is smaller and more protected, and boating activity is more manageable. There are no facilities.
 
 

 

Duck Pond Park

duck pondDuck Pond Park is located on Bungalow Road and features a baseball field, basketball court, and playground. The pond is a provides a habitant for many plants and animals, and is a popular spot for ice skating in the Winter. A Village Resident/School District Recreation Photo ID is required for this park. Learn more about the delicate ecosystem of the pond in this brochure from Ms. Cardellichio’s 2012 AP Environmental Science Classes.

 

 
Accessibility and Other Considerations
A paved parking lot leads right to the park with easy access to the playground equipment and wood-chip ground covering. A paved path leads around the pond and the playground area. There are benches to sit and enjoy watching the pond activities of animals or skaters,
depending on the season. There are no facilities.

 

Dobbs Park

duck pondDobbs Park, named in honor of Madeline and Ernie Dobbs, is located off of Maple Street in the heart of the Village. The park features a baseball field, a basketball court, and a playground. A Village Resident/School District Recreation Photo ID is required for this park. Playground and basketball court hours are 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM. 

 

Accessibility and Other Considerations
Dobbs Park is currently under renovation. An update on its accessibility and inclusive features is coming soon.

 

 

Firefighters Memorial Field and David J. Manes Fields

firefighters memorial fieldLocated behind Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School on Gerstein Street are several fields designated for various sports. Manes Field is used for Soccer and Lacrosse. Firefighter's Field is used for Baseball, varsity & modified Softball. CET Field is used for Field Hockey and Lacrosse. 

 

Accessibility and Other Considerations
There is parking near the fields and well-paved paths leading to each of them. Because these are wide, open, grassy spaces, traversing them may be more of a challenge than at other outdoor areas.

 

Gouveia Park

firefighters memorial field

Gouveia Park is a 15-acre greenspace located on Albany Post Road. A Village Resident/School District Recreation Photo ID is required for this park.  The park features a footpath through  rolling hills and woods, a parking area, and picnic benches. Park hours are 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., seven days a week. Leashed dogs are permitted. 

 

 

Accessibility and Other Considerations
The park has easy-access parking and a few benches. Its beautiful scenery makes it a good place for a stroll or a long walk and to contemplate nature. Because the land is only partially flat, traversing it may be more of a challenge than in other outdoor areas. There are no facilities.

 

 

Harrison Street Park

firefighters memorial field

Harrison Street Park is located on the corner of Harrison and Grand Street. The park features paved pathways, benches, and a playground area. A Village Resident/School District Recreation Photo ID is required for this park.  

 

 
Accessibility and Other Considerations
Easy access to the park from the street, paved pathways, and flat ground make moving on wheels easy. There are no facilities.

 

Senasqua Park

firefighters memorial fieldLocated at 2 Elliott Way, Senasqua Park is a riverfront green space featuring scenic views of the Hudson River. Amenities include picnic tables, a bathhouse, benches, a playground, and a volleyball court. The large pavilion at Senasqua Park may be reserved for group picnics by permit - click here for more information. A Village Resident/School District Recreation Photo ID is required for this park. In the summertime, Croton Recreation shows outdoor movies on Wednesday evenings, and the Annual Summer Concert Series brings live bands to the park on Friday nights. 

senasqua park mural

 

Accessibility and Other Considerations

This is a popular park with a welcoming community feel. On weekends, there are often many adults socializing and children playing. Geese and ducks fly overhead or waddle on the ground depending on the season.
The parking lot abuts the park with a paved path leading from the entrance directly to the pavilion with picnic tables and benches. The park's hard, grassy grounds extend to a rocky edge along the river. There is no paved walkway here. There are facilities.

 

 

Silver Lake

firefighters memorial fieldSilver Lake is a swimming and small beach area in the Village of Croton-on-Hudson. The Croton River runs off the Croton dam, through Silver Lake and out to the Hudson River. The constant flow keeps the water cool and clean.  A Permit or Daily Fee is required for entry. A Village Resident/School District Recreation Photo ID is required for this park. Guests must be accompanied by a resident. 

Swimming Area Hours are 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM June 22-23, then daily June 28 - September 2 (weather & staffing permitting). 

 

 
 
 
Accessibility and Other Considerations
This unique area provides enjoyment for adults and children. Though the sand and water area is down a slope from the main road, cars park at a road-level designated area. Beach-goers walk down to the beach. There is the option of driving down to drop off or pick up people, and driving right back to the parking area. However, for safety reasons, it is mandatory to call the Silver Lake office at (914) 271-4766 well in advance to alert
them of the car’s planned arrival. There are facilities.

 

Sunset Park

croton sunset parkLocated between Lexington Drive and Sunset Drive, Sunset Park features a fenced-in play area, play structure, and large sandbox. A Village Resident/School District Recreation Photo ID is required for this park. 

 

 
 
 
Accessibility and Other Considerations
This neighborhood playground is easily accessible for very young children and others. There are benches for parents, caregivers, and others to sit nearby. There are no facilities.

 

 

Vassallo Park

croton sunset parkLocated off of Old Post Road South next to the Merwin Parking Lot, Vassallo Park features a walking path, a stone stage, a large field, picnic tables, and a historic millstone from the Early Grist Mill on the Croton River. Vassallo Park is a popular community gathering place and the site of many seasonal events, including the Annual Village Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting Celebration. 

 

 

Accessibility and Other Considerations

There’s a paved walkway through the park. There are no facilities.
 

 

 

Preserves & Open Space Areas

The Village of Croton-on-Hudson is home to a number of properties that are conserved as preserves or open space. Please see the below information for further details:

Croton Trail MarkerJane E. Lytle Memorial Arboretum

The Jane E. Lytle Memorial Arboretum  is a 22-acre nature preserve of woods, streams and a large wetland swamp in its center. A rough hiking trail circles the perimeter of the wetland, with several branches leading to secluded observation points. In addition, a ¼ mile long accessible boardwalk trail provides a level surface for people with impaired mobility or eyesight to safely enter the woods and cross the wetland. Pull-offs with benches along the boardwalk allow approaching wheelchairs to pass easily and also provide seating to quietly enjoy wildlife. The boardwalk trail passes through a gazebo for secretly observing or photographing wetland wildlife.

The arboretum is open dawn to dusk year-round. Leashed dogs allowed. No bikes. Entrance located at end of Fox Road by Hudson National Golf Club. A volunteer, non-profit organization provides environmental stewardship for the 22+ acres of wetlands, woods and trails on behalf of the Village. Visit crotonarboretum.org for more information.

 

Accessibility and Other Considerations
This Arboretum offers accessible trails for visitors with wheelchairs or vision impairment. A quarter-mile-long accessible boardwalk trail provides a level surface for people with impaired mobility or eyesight to safely enter the woods and cross the wetland. Pull-offs with benches along the boardwalk allow wheelchairs to pass easily and provide seating to quietly enjoy wildlife. There are no facilities.

 

 

 

Croton Trail MarkerKaplan's Pond

An 8.5 acre village owned property at Lounsbury Road, Kaplan's Pond is a unique natural site with a small pond and wetlands area, as well as a short 0.2 mile walking path. 

 

Accessibility and Other Considerations
There are no facilities.
 

 

 

 

Croton Trail System

Croton Trail MarkerThe Croton Trails Crew invites you to discover Croton's extensive and beautiful trail system, the Jan Wines Memorial Trail System. The Croton Trail Blaze (pictured to the left) is used to mark trail access points. White blazes are used on trails in wooded areas. A full map of the trail system is available online, or you may obtain a copy at the Village Offices at 1 Van Wyck Street.  

 

 
 
 
Accessibility and Other Considerations
The Croton Trail Blaze is used to mark trail access points. White blazes are used in wooded areas. A complete trail-system map is available online, or a copy may be obtained at the Village offices at 1 Van Wyck Street.