FDR State Park is a large multi-use facility located in Yorktown Heights NY. It features picnic tables and pavilions, a disc golf course, and a swimming pool.
The park is a popular destination for day-trippers. Its spacious picnic areas can accommodate individual families as well as groups. Learn more by clicking here.
The Park’s History
The Park’s story is as rich and complex as the countless institutions that occupy its land.
The site of the present park was once a sparsely populated hamlet called Seneca Village. Its irregular terrain of swamps and rocky outcroppings made it unsuitable for private development.
During the nineteenth century, a large-scale public works project transformed the land into a pastoral landscape for city dwellers. It was the first such park to be designed in the United States, and one of the most ambitious of its kind.
The Park’s construction, management, and restoration were a major part of New York City’s economic recovery during the Depression. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) employed thousands of men to carry out a wide range of work, including the rehabilitation of neglected parks.
The Park’s Activities
In today’s fast-paced world, most kids are cooped up indoors, playing video games, watching television, or engaging in some form of extracurricular activity. But taking time for a little active nature play is good for the brain and body alike and has countless health benefits. FDR State Park is no exception to the rule and offers a plethora of activities from sports to science to arts and entertainment to name but a few. If you’re looking for the perfect way to spend some quality family time, check out our schedule of events and upcoming seasonal offerings. We hope to see you soon. The Park’s Public Programs Recreation Division is tasked with providing an array of recreational opportunities to the public and administering a variety of programs and services. We are dedicated to the mission of making it easier and more fun for New Yorkers to lead active, healthy, and engaged lives. More places to also visit by clicking here.
The Park’s Facilities
Located in the Taconic region of northern Westchester County, the Park offers day-trippers a scenic haven about 40 miles from New York City. Spacious picnic areas, which may be reserved in advance, can accommodate individual families as well as large groups.
The park also features a mammoth pool, lakes, and hiking paths. It offers biking, a boat launch and rentals, disc golf, fishing, ice skating, picnic tables and pavilions, a playground and playing fields, recreation programs, trails for hiking, jogging, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing, and a food concession.
The Park’s 960-acre property is primarily wooded and includes two water bodies, Mohansic Lake and Crom Pond. A red maple-hardwood swamp covers a large portion of the Park and is home to an array of unique dragonflies.
The Park’s Attractions
The Park’s attractions range from gardens to ponds, bridges to sculptures. It’s a surprisingly diverse place with a multitude of activities that cater to people of all ages and abilities.
For example, the Conservatory Garden is a secluded oasis in the middle of the park that’s known for its calming effects. It’s also home to some notable buildings including the Obelisk, a public monument that measures nearly eighty feet tall and boasts one of the most spectacular views in the park.
The park is also home to the Central Park Zoo, which boasts some of the world’s most amazing animal exhibits. Check out the 4D Theater, where animals in a variety of habitats interact with guests. The Central Park Music & Performance Center is also a must-see for those who enjoy a concert or theater show. The park even has a zoo-themed hotel and spa. The park has been named by Time magazine as one of the top ten places to visit in the world. Find out more!
Driving directions from Cappco PressureWashing to FDR State Park
Driving directions from FDR State Park to Croton Gorge Park
