| |
Conservation
Events
Calendar
Directions
Fees
Rules
|
Croton
Point
Nature
Center
& Discovery
Trail
Croton
Point Park
Nature
Center & Discovery Trail
The Croton Point Nature Center and
Discovery Trail are located in the 504-acre Croton Point Park, which is
situated on the largest peninsula of the Hudson River in
Croton-on-Hudson. The nature center offers a year-round schedule
of interpretive programs, presentations and exhibits intended to help
visitors better understand the natural world, as well as to enhance
their knowledge of the area and its history. The scenic discovery
trail winds its way through the park, enabling visitors to explore the
point's many plant and wildlife species, including painted turtles and a
variety of frogs, as well as its unique historical
features.
The Croton Point Nature
Center located on the northwest tip of the park, displays exhibits about
the Hudson River, local history, flora and fauna, and archeology.
The center hosts weekly programs, including nature walks, presentation
on area history, and arts and crafts workshops. Nature
interpretive programs can be arranged by appointment for school, scout
and other organized groups. The center is also the headquarters
for the Material Archives and Laboratory for Archaeology (MALFA).
Other
Points of Interest
Treaty
Oak Monument
Just south of the family camping grounds and recreational
vehicle sites is a monument that marks a peace treaty signed in 1645
between the Dutch and the Kitchiwank Indians, who were the point's first
residents. The treaty was signed under a large white oak
tree. Lightning destroyed the tree, but a similar species of white
oak planted to the left of the monument endures.
Meadow
One of the most magnificent vistas of the Hudson River can be
seen from atop a hill created when a landfill in the park was
permanently capped in 1995, and reclaimed as a passive recreation
area. This 113-acre meadow is excellent for bird and butterfly
watching, as well as strolling. Birds, such a bobolinks,
meadowlarks, kestrels, northern harriers and bald eagles can be viewed
from this spot at various times of the year.
Brickyard
Excavation
Clay deposits were discovered in the area west of the present-day
tent sites and excavated as part of the Underhill brick-making
operations in the 1830's. Traces of the brick can be found
throughout the point today. The excavation of clay resulted
in the creation of rolling terrain, wetlands and ponds. The forest
in the area consists of black locust, cottonwood, oak, and red
maple. Birds common to the area include the robin, crow, catbird
and yellow warbler. Mammals include raccoon, muskrat and
occasionally deer. This is the largest continuous wooded section of the
park.
Teller's
Point and English Yews
The southern tip of Croton Point was named after the Teller
family, who began a trading post here in the mid-1600's. Teller's
Point is excellent for vistas of the Yonkers skyline and the Tappan Zee
Bridge far to the south and the Tarrytown Lighthouse on the far
southeastern side of the Hudson. Across the river and to the
southwest, one can view Hook Mountain, which is part of Palisades
Interstate Park. The mountain is regarded as one of the best hawk
watching areas along the East Coast, and Teller's Point itself is
visited by osprey, Red-tailed and Cooper
Croton
Bay
Situated on the south side of the park Croton Bay and its
surrounding tidal marshes are ecologically important areas for
wildlife. The marsh areas provide an ideal habitat for several
species of invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, fish, birds, and
mammals. Raccoons, opossum, and muskrat frequent the shoreline
foraging for food. Water birds, such as great blue herons,
cormorants and a variety of waterfowl also make the marsh their
home, depending on the season. The salinity in the bay water
and the abundance of marshes make it an ideal habitat for striped bass,
perch, American eels and blue claw crabs. The bay, of course, is
part of the Hudson River, a great waterway with many commercial and
recreational uses. At low tide, one can comb the rocky shoreline
and find driftwood of many sizes, smoothed and shaped by the river.
The
Wine Cellars
Dr. Underhill owned and operated a successful winery at the point during
the mid-19th century. Although the vineyards and the winery are
long gone the historic old vaults that served as wine cellars remain in
the park today. The cellars are thought to be the oldest in New
York State and possible the oldest in the United States. A total
of 30,000 gallons of wine and 2,000 gallons of vinegar were stored in
these underground vaults. Wine cellar tours are offered
periodically throughout the year.
Conifer
Forest
Formerly the site of the orchards and vineyards planted by Dr.
Underhill, this 15-acre forest is located near the park's
campsites. The forest comprises white pine once used for ship
masts and considered highly valuable during the Revolutionary War
era. The forest also has a mixing of Scotch pine and Norway
spruce, which were planted in the 1930's by the Works Project
Administration for conservation projects. Great horned owls are
commonly found in the conifer stands and the occasional hawk is also
know to pay a visit to the forest.
|
