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Trailside Student/Group Activity

Trailside Nature Museum

The Trailside Nature Museum, established in 1937, is one of the oldest of its kind in the United States. The museum is home to a large collection of mounted animals, American Indian artifacts, educational exhibits, child-friendly interactive displays, and nature-oriented artwork. The museum hosts thousands of school children and scouts each year for a variety of educational programs including stream study, American Indian culture, maple sugaring, and badge work. Family-oriented nature programs are scheduled for the general public on nearly every weekend.

The Trailside Nature Museum is also the home of the Delaware Indian Research Center, a vast collection of books and artifacts concerning American Indians, especially the Delaware. The Research Center is well utilized by both students and educators and has assisted several authors in researching their publications. The Research Center is open to the public by appointment.

The museum is located at the heart of Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, the county’s largest park. Park terrain is extremely varied, ranging from deep hollows to ridges that rise up more than 800 feet. There are hemlock gorges, dry uplands, wetlands, ponds, and two rivers, all connected by 35 miles of trails. Many of the old farm roads are now used as hiking and cross-country ski trails, and other signs of the old farms exist in the form of stonewalls, foundations and cellar pits. 

Directly outside the Trailside Nature Museum, there is a one-half acre wildflower garden containing more than 80 different kinds of labeled wildflowers.  There are several self-guided nature trails – directions and pamphlets are available in the museum

Activities
Public nature programs are given nearly every weekend from September through June. Educational nature study programs can be arranged for schools and scout groups. The park can be used for hiking/walking, birding, cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing, camping, picnicking, and fishing.

Facilities
Maps and information are available at the museum. Public restrooms are located near all trailheads.

Nature Center Hours
Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Monday and Friday.  Trails are open every day dawn to dusk.

Admission Requirements
A Westchester County Park Pass is not required for admission.

Parking Fees Apply
A parking fee is charged at the park entrance. There is no additional admission price to the museum.

Park Regulations
Ward Pound Ridge Reservation is a Biodiversity Reserve Area. Please help us take care of this unique place by following these simple stewardship rules:

•  Keep dogs leashed for the sake of your dog, wildlife, habitat
   preservation and park patrons.

• All motorized vehicles and bicycles must stay on paved roads.

• Take nothing but memories. All plants, animals, and minerals are
    protected.

• Stay on designated hiking trails.

•  Carry out what you carry in: do not leave garbage in the park

• Please report any “offenders” and/or any areas that may be in need of maintenance to the park office. Thank you for your patronage and ENJOY!

CONSERVATION

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