Westchester To Begin Making Picnic Reservations For Parks

ARDSLEY, NY — Get that picnic basket out of storage because outdoor picnicking will return to Westchester County parks this year.

The county Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation is now taking reservations for the upcoming months.

Kathy O'Connor, the commissioner of the parks department, said she is committed to providing recreational opportunities to the county residents during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

"As we move into the spring and summer, we hope to have many picnics at our parks," she said.

"We continue to open activities that we feel we can operate safely," O'Connor said, "with health at the forefront of that decision-making process."

Picnicking, including outdoor pavilions, is allowed at the following parks:

• Blue Mountain Reservation, Peekskill
• Croton Gorge, Cortlandt
• Croton Point Park, Croton-on-Hudson
• George’s Island Park, Montrose
• Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla
• V.E. Macy Park, Irvington
• Ridge Road Park, Hartsdale
• Saxon Woods Park, White Plains
• Sprain Ridge Park, Yonkers
• Tibbetts Brook Park, Yonkers
• Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Cross River
• Willson’s Woods Park, Mount Vernon

To make a reservation, call the permit office at 914-231-4575, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Reservation holders will be contacted if there are any changes to coronavirus protocols in regard to capacity or cancellations.

The parks department said all groups will be required to follow current coronavirus guidelines at the time of their events, including but not limited to capacity, social distancing and mask wearing.