Summer is here. It’s finally time to dust off the blankets, unearth the baskets and plan your first picnic of the season at one of Westchester’s many beautiful green spaces.
There is no shortage of prime picnicking spots in the county, which is home to sweeping wooded parks, quiet farms and blossoming gardens. Most are free to all and offer activities that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Here are six places to keep in mind for your next outdoor feast.
Croton Point Park
Settled on the east shore of the Hudson River, Croton Point Park is dotted with grassy knolls perfect for a family picnic. Activities available at the park run the gamut — visitors can swim, fish, boat and even play cricket at the new ballfield.
If you’re visiting with a larger party make sure to secure a group picnic permit, which guarantees you exclusive use of an area of the park set up with grills and tables.
The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk. Parking is $5 with a Park Pass and $10 without one.
Where: 1 Croton Point Ave., Croton-On-Hudson.
More information: parks.westchestercountyny.gov/croton-point-park.
Croton Gorge Park
Unwrap your sandwich with an unbeatable view of what was once the world’s largest dam. The New Croton Dam, a jewel of Croton Gorge Park, is a hand-hewn masonry giant accompanied by a 1000-foot-long stepped spillway.
The architectural wonder has made the park a hotspot for hiking and fishing. Soak in the history — and the waterfall mist — while you enjoy a meal at one of the park’s many picnicking spots.
Open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk, the park does not require a Park Pass for admission. However, parking is $5 with a Park Pass and $10 without one — cash only.
Where: 350 Yorktown Road, Croton-on-Hudson.
More information: parks.westchestercountyny.gov/croton-gorge-park.
Tibbetts Brook Park
Tibbetts Brook — a 161-acre park nestled in Yonkers — has something for everyone. Kids can splash through the spray zone, teens can dribble across ballcourts and adults can unwind on floaties drifting down park’s the signature lazy river.
Alongside from the sprawling aquatic complex, the park also features a miniature golf course, wooded trails, and a number of shady picnic spots.
The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk and is only accessible to Westchester County residents. From June 26 to Sept. 7, parking is $5 with a Park Pass and $10 without one.
Where: 355 Midland Ave., Yonkers.
More information: parks.westchestercountyny.gov/tibbetts-brook-park.
Muscoot Farm
This quaint farm in upper Westchester, complete with classic red barns and grazing animals, is a picturesque escape from bustling urban life. Visitors can get acquainted with the many goats, chickens and pigs, and even hitch a hayride for an additional fee.
When exploring the farm’s expansive woodlands, wetlands and fields, picnickers are sure to find a peaceful spot to lay down a blanket and basket. If you make the visit, be sure to also tour the early 20th-century farm’s blacksmith shop, ice house and dairy barn.
Muscoot is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the year. It is accessible to all.
Where: Route 100, Somers.
More information: parks.westchestercountyny.gov/muscootfarm.
Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
The county’s largest park — boasting 4,315 acres of diverse woodland — offers a number of shaded picnicking and camping spots. You can work up an appetite by hiking one of the reservation’s 14 mapped trails.
If you need to escape the summer heat, stop by the park’s Trailside Nature Museum, home to an extensive collection of mounted animals and American Indian artifacts.
The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk. Parking is $5 with a Park Pass and $10 without one.
Where: Reservation Road, Pound Ridge.
More information: parks.westchestercountyny.gov/ward-pound-ridge-reservation.
Lasdon Park and Arboretum
Things are in full bloom at this botanical gem in Katonah, where trimmed hedges and manicured flora give way to rolling meadows and woodlands. Visitors can take in the beauty at one of the many picnicking hubs among the greenery.
The park, owned and operated by Westchester County, is also home to the Veterans Museum, which features exhibits tracing military history — well worth a visit in the year of America’s 250th.
The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free and open to all.
Where: 2610 Route 35, Katonah.
More information: lasdonpublicgardens.org.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Looking for a great picnic spot in Westchester? Try these 6 parks
Reporting by Leia Green, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Leia Green, Rockland/Westchester Journal News | USA TODAY Network
