Location: Patterson Distance: .5 mile Skill Level: easy Elevation Gain: minimal Type of Hike: loop Trail Condition: dirt Wow Factor: easy  How to get there: From I-84, take exit 61.  Head north on 311.  Veer right on 164 E.  Pass under two one lane bridges and a third regular.  Make a left on Cornwall … Continue reading Tom’s Path

Location: Kent or CarmelDistance: 4 milesSkill Level: moderateElevation Gain: 400'Type of Hike: loopTrail Condition: rocky, wet in places, dirtWow Factor: 30' glacial erratic that looks like a hawkNote: you need a DEP permit--free and immediate hereWebsite  How to get there: Go all the way to the end of Whangtown Road (will be Carmel or Kent … Continue reading Hawk Rock

  Location: Mohegan Lake Distance: 1 mile Skill Level: easy Elevation Gain: 50 feet Type of Hike: lollipop or loop Trail Condition: dirt, rocky, grass Wow Factor: views of the lake Note: May only be open to residents during the summer How to get there: From Route 6, you'll turn south on to Lexington Ave.  … Continue reading Rock Hill Park

  Location: Brewster Distance: 1.5 Skill Level: easy Elevation Gain: 150 Type of Hike: out and back Trail Condition: dirt Wow Factor: views of the wetlands How to get there: Take I-84 to exit 65.  Head east on 312.  Make a left at the light onto Farm to Market Road.  Go past the schools and … Continue reading Clough Preserve

Location: Croton-on-Hudson Parking: two paved lots Traffic: low in the off season, high during Fee: free Suggested Age: 2-12 Tot Friendly: not terribly Gated: partial Sandbox: no Bikes: there is a paved walkway throughout most of the park and no signs saying they're not allowed Swings: 2 swings, 2 baby swings Play equipment: 4 slides, … Continue reading Duck Pond Park Playground

Location: Yorktown Parking: large lot Traffic: new and unknown for winter of 2019 but assume uncomfortably packed on summer weekends and holidays Fee: paid parking seasonally Suggested Age: 2-12 Tot Friendly: yes Gated: no Sandbox: no Swings/Baby Swings: none Bikes: paved winding path all the way around Play equipment: 3 slides, 12' climbing tower, rock … Continue reading FDR State Park Playground, Lot 6

  Location: Pleasant Valley Parking: ample Traffic: heavy in summer, well used year-round Fee: none Suggested Age: Tot Friendly: small section Gated: no but far from road Sandbox: no Swings/Baby Swings: 5 swings, 2 baby, 1 accessible Bikes: paved walkway around playground Play equipment: 2 slides, movable parts, 10+ foot climbing tower, bouncing walkways between … Continue reading James Baird State Park Playground

  Location: Croton-on-Hudson Distance: 1.25 miles Skill Level: easy Elevation Gain: 200' Type of Hike: loop Trail Condition: dirt trail Wow Factor: stone platform Website  How to get there:  Park at the culdesac at the end of Briggs Lane.   Summary:  From the parking area, walk up the paved driveway (there is one red blaze that … Continue reading Graff Audubon Sanctuary