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.
Directions
U.S. Route 9 north or south to Croton Point Avenue exit;
follow signs into park.
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Joseph A. Stout, Commissioner
