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PARK FACT:

Over half of Van Cortlandt Park is a protected nature preserve, which translates to many scenic trails for your hiking pleasure!

Explore Your Park > Van Cortlandt Park > Highlights

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Van Cortlandt Park

Highlights

Mario Merola Grove

This grove of pine trees is dedicated to Mario Merola (1922-1987), the pugnacious Bronx District Attorney who convicted David Berkowitz (“Son of Sam”) and led the D.A.… Read More

Memorial Grove

Memorial Grove was created to honor Bronx men who served in World War II and Korea. The grove is shaded by Pin oaks ( Quercus palustris ), Red oaks ( Quercus rubra ), and… Read More

Parade Ground

The Van Cortlandt Park Parade Ground has been a center of activity for centuries. The Wiechquaeskeck tribe of the Lenape nation originally inhabited the land and used it… Read More

Sachkerah Woods Playground: July 2007 Park of the Month

Sachkerah Woods Playground, located in the southeast corner of Van Cortlandt Park, is July's Park of the Month. The recently reconstructed playground features new… Read More

Southwest Playground

The land around Southwest Playground, as well as the adjacent Kingsbridge Green, was originally a freshwater marsh. Tibbett’s Brook, which runs south from Westchester to… Read More

The John Kieran Nature Trail

John Kieran (1892-1981) was a writer and amateur naturalist who loved Van Cortlandt Park. Born in the Bronx, Kieran attended City College and Fordham University. In… Read More

Tibbetts Brook

Tibbetts Brook is a small stream that begins its journey just north of the Bronx in the City of Yonkers and flows south into Van Cortlandt Park. The stream cuts through… Read More

Van Cortlandt Forest - the Forests of New York City

More than half of Van Cortlandt Park’s 1,146 acres consists of forest. A varied topography of high, rocky ridges alternating with low, moist valleys provides the base for… Read More

Van Cortlandt Golf Course

The Van Cortlandt Golf Course opened on July 6, 1895, as the first public golf course in the United States. That spring, prominent members of the Mosholu Golf Club… Read More

Van Cortlandt Mansion and Museum

As the Bronx’s oldest house, the Van Cortlandt Mansion and Museum testifies to the vivid and eclectic history of New York’s third largest park. The… Read More

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Directions to Van Cortlandt Park

MTA Trip Planner: Get Subway and Bus Directions to this Park

Under Construction

There are currently 2 construction projects taking place in this park that are affecting access to its amenities.

Portions of the Allen Shandler Recreation area are closed. We are reconstructing the existing picnic area with new picnic tables, grills, plantings, pathways, and split rail fencing. ADA access will be provided for the existing comfort station, new drinking fountain and picnic tables.
Anticipated Completion: Fall 2009

Some of the Parade Ground athletic fields are closed in the northern section. We are reconstructing the Parade Ground fields and the Van Cortlandt Stadium field. A new synthetic turf field for soccer and football has been installed in the stadium. The parade grounds will have cricket fields, soccer fields, and baseball fields with in-ground irrigation. A portion of the cross country running track will be resurfaced and realigned. This project will be built in two phases to allow the public use of some fields during construction.
Anticipated Completion: Summer 2010