Sept. 27, 2024 – Dress up for Halloween and participate in a variety of activities in the largest Westchester County Park! Calling all ghouls and goblins! The Spooktacular Oktoberfest at Trailside Nature Museum at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Cross River returns on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 1 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.

All attendees are welcome to wear Halloween costumes. Children’s activities will include trick-or-treating, hayrides, pumpkin painting, pony rides, crafts, a bounce house, food, music and more. The children’s activities will end at 5:30 p.m.

The event’s Oktoberfest, held in the Bergfield section, will feature live music and a variety of food trucks including Captain Lawrence Brewing Company, Stone Fire Pizza, Three Little Pigs BBQ, Crazy Taco-Mex and American Swirl Traveling Ice Cream. The Oktoberfest will end at 8:30 p.m.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, “Halloween marks the heart of autumn, a time when people enjoy the cooler weather and cozy vibes that come with the season. Residents can celebrate the beauty of fall with Ward Pound Ridge Reservation ablaze with gorgeous leaves.”

Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation Kathy O’Connor said, “Our Spooktacular Oktoberfest has become one of our most popular fall events. With so many activities and choices of food, children and adults are guaranteed to have a howling good time.”

Early-ghoul pricing is $18 through Monday, Sept. 30; standard pricing begins on Tuesday, Oct. 1: $25 per person for ages 3 and up.

Bring cash for pony rides and the bounce house. Crafts, pumpkin painting, s’mores, trick-or-treating candy, cotton candy, and cider and doughnuts will be available while supplies last. Parking is free; the rain date is Sunday, Oct. 27. For more info or questions, call (914) 864-7322.

Trailside Nature Museum is located at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Cross River, at the junction of Routes 35 and 121 South.

If you've used the online system before go to Parks/Golf account login page.

First time accessing your account? Forgot your username or password? Start here:

  1. Go to the Parks/Golf account login page. Note: Although this refers to "Golf" you are only using this link to access your account information. At no time will you have to use our golf facilities or reservation system.
  2. Under "Login" select "Forgot Username or Password?"
  3. Enter your email (or username) and click on "send"
  4. After sometime, you will receive an email with your user account name and a link to create a new password.
  5. Follow the steps in the email to create a new password.
  6. Once the steps above have been completed, you will now have your username and new password to access the system.

If you have your username and password, access your Park Pass account information by following the steps below:

  1. Go to the Parks/Golf account login page. Note: Although this refers to "Golf" you are only using this link to access your account information. At no time will you have to use our golf facilities or reservation system.
  2. Enter your username and Password and click on "login".
  3. Click on "My Account" or if using a cell phone, a square with three lines in it for a drop down menu containing the following selections: Pass Holders, Contact Information, Membership, Payment Information and Log Out.
  4. Click on Membership to see when you purchased your Park Pass and when it expires.
  5. When you're done viewing or editing information Click on "My Account" or if using a cell phone, a square with three lines in it and select "Log Out".

 

Instant Input SurveyWestchester County Parks has released a survey for parks visitors to share their feedback on the facilities and how they envision the future of the Westchester County Parks system.

Westchester County Parks rolled out its park-user survey late last year, and the results are in: 92% of park visitors find value and positive benefits in the Westchester County Parks system! On July 20, 2023, details of the survey were shared at Muscoot Farm’s groundbreaking for its upcoming site work and unveiling of its restored Main House.

The Westchester County Parks user survey, which is typically deployed every 10 years, invites users to share their feedback on facilities and how they envision the future of the Westchester County Parks system.

Findings included increased park usage across the board when compared to the last survey; as well as visitors’ desires to improve physical health and fitness, mental health and reduce stress, and are satisfied with the overall value of the Westchester County Parks system.

2022 Westchester County Residents Recreation Preferences Survey results.

VARSITY

SCHOOL DIVISION COMPETE JUDGING PANEL
Harrison Class B 4:45 p.m. A
New Rochelle COED 4:50 p.m. B
Maria Regina Class B 4:55 p.m. A
Briarcliff COED 5 p.m. B
Ursuline Class B 5:05 p.m. A
Saunders Trades & Technical COED 5:10 p.m. B
Mahopac Class B 5:15 p.m. A
Tappan Zee COED 5:20 p.m. B
Yonkers Class B 5:25 p.m. A
Brewster COED 5:30 p.m. B
Somers Class B 5:35 p.m. A
Walter Panas COED 5:40 p.m. B
Yorktown Class B 5:45 p.m. A
Lakeland COED 5:50 p.m. B
Scarsdale Class A 5:57 p.m. B
Byram Hills Class C 6:02 p.m. A
Westlake Class C 6:09 p.m. A
North Rockland Class A 6:15 p.m. B
Hendrick Hudson Class C 6:20 p.m. A
Carmel Class A 6:25 p.m. B
Putnam Valley Class C 6:30 p.m. A
John Jay Class A 6:35 p.m. B
Dover Class C 6:40 p.m. A
Ketcham Class A 6:45 p.m. B
Albertus Magnus Class C 6:50 p.m. A
Arlington Class A 6:55 p.m. B
Pearl River Class C 7 p.m. A
Tuckahoe Class D 7:07 p.m. A

AWARDS 7:15 p.m.

 

GRAND CHAMPS

 Class B 8 p.m. A
 COED 8:05 p.m. A
 Class C 8:10 p.m. A
 Class A 8:15 p.m. A
 Class D 8:20 p.m. A

AWARDS 8:30 p.m.

A master planning process is currently underway for the site. Westchester County is partnering with a team of landscape architects, architects, cultural planners, sustainability engineers, and experts in food system equity to create a master plan for a resilient and inclusive Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center. Hilltop Hanover Farm is a place of heritage and communal significance in Westchester County. It has a powerful role to play in the region, particularly in strengthening its foodshed and advancing public knowledge of the issues facing the environment. Programs and projects that welcome community partners will play a strong role in securing the long term sustainability of the farm as a public resource.

The Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC) has prepared a Whole Farm Plan for the farm and continues to implement agricultural best management practices with educational signage throughout the property. Projects include restoration of the riparian buffer (in partnership with the Hudson River Estuary Program Trees for Tribs program) along an intermittent stream on the site, a low impact composting facility and numerous projects to better manage stormwater runoff. The site is also the location of the East of Hudson used by WAC offices and has been used to conduct workshops for farmers on a variety of agricultural best management practices. Visit the East of Hudson WAC.

  1. 2017 Report: Looking Back on 2017
  2. Give the Gift of Parks
  3. Westchester County Parks
  4. Submission Success