Rockefeller State Park Preserve

Rockefeller State Park Preserve. The preserve is a part of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and is located in Westchester County, near the Hudson River and the Tappan Zee Bridge. It is situated near the Village of Sleepy Hollow and the Town of Mount Pleasant, and is close to the Kykuit, the National Historic Landmark and former estate of John D. Rockefeller. The preserve is also near the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, a non-profit organization founded by David Rockefeller and his wife, Peggy Rockefeller.

Overview

The preserve is a 1,400-acre park that features a variety of landscapes, including forests, wetlands, and meadows. It is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and over 100 species of birds, such as the American goldfinch and the red-winged blackbird. The preserve is also a popular destination for hiking and birdwatching, with over 20 miles of trails, including the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail and the Rockefeller State Park Preserve Trails. Visitors can also explore the preserve's many streams and ponds, including the Pocantico River and the Swan Lake.

History

The preserve was established in 1983, when the Rockefeller family donated 1,400 acres of their estate to the State of New York. The estate had been in the Rockefeller family for over 100 years, and had been used for farming, hunting, and recreation. The preserve is named after John D. Rockefeller, the founder of Standard Oil and one of the wealthiest men in United States history. The preserve is also near the Sunnyside, the former home of Washington Irving, and the Philipsburg Manor House, a National Historic Landmark.

Geography

The preserve is located in the Hudson Valley region of New York State, near the Hudson River and the Tappan Zee Bridge. It is situated in the Town of Mount Pleasant and the Village of Sleepy Hollow, and is close to the City of White Plains and the City of Yonkers. The preserve features a variety of landscapes, including forests, wetlands, and meadows, and is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and over 100 species of birds. The preserve is also near the Bear Mountain State Park and the Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve, and is part of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area.

Recreation

The preserve offers a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, birdwatching, and fishing. Visitors can explore the preserve's many trails, including the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail and the Rockefeller State Park Preserve Trails, and can also visit the preserve's many streams and ponds, including the Pocantico River and the Swan Lake. The preserve is also a popular destination for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter, and for horseback riding and carriage driving in the summer. Visitors can also attend events and programs at the preserve, including nature walks and birding tours, which are led by DEC staff and Audubon Society volunteers.

Conservation

The preserve is managed by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and is protected by the DEC. The preserve is also a part of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area and is recognized as a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service. The preserve is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and over 100 species of birds, and is also an important habitat for endangered species, such as the bald eagle and the northern long-eared bat. The preserve is also near the Teatown Lake Reservation and the Mianus River Gorge, which are also protected by the DEC and the Nature Conservancy.

Management

The preserve is managed by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and is protected by the DEC. The preserve is also a part of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area and is recognized as a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service. The preserve is managed in partnership with the Rockefeller family and the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, a non-profit organization founded by David Rockefeller and his wife, Peggy Rockefeller. The preserve is also supported by the New York State Parks Foundation and the Friends of Rockefeller State Park Preserve, a non-profit organization that works to protect and preserve the preserve's natural and cultural resources. Category:Protected areas of New York