Depew Park
Park Acreage:
192 acres
Trail Miles:
5.5 miles
Trail Uses:
Hiking
GPS:
41.283803, -73.918056
Not TC maintained
Directions
From Route 9, take the South Street/Hudson Avenue Exit and head uphill on Hudson Avenue away from the river and train station. At 0.5 mile, turn right onto Walnut Street at a sign, Depew Park Entrance. The entrance is 0.1 mile straight ahead.
Alternate entrances are via two trails from Blue Mountain Reservation and off either Montross Avenue or Ferris Street (no parking). Parking is at the entrance at the end of Bay Street [41.280595N 73.919094W].
Public transportation: From the Metro-North Hudson Line Peekskill Station, head east on Hudson Avenue, away from the river. It is a 0.7-mile walk to Walnut Street, where there is the sign for the park. Follow Walnut Street 0.1 mile into the park.
Park Overview
Named after Chauncey Mitchell Depew, whose ancestors were among the original settlers of Peekskill, Depew Park. Neighbors make good use of the opportunities to walk and teens to congregate or make use of the ball fields and courts.
Trail Overview
Once away from the frenzied activity of organized sports, the atmosphere within the park is relaxed. In spite of a 1973 City of Peekskill ordinance which states “No person shall ride a bicycle, tricycle, velocipede or motorcycle upon any walk or footpath, but persons may push such machines in single file along the same”, mountain bikers use the trails. Trails change frequently; they might not be as described.
Park Description
Depew Park’s origins are traced to 1901, when this witty and skilled, orator, lawyer, businessman, and politician donated 40 acres of what was long-known as Depew’s Woods to the Village of Peekskill. Two years later the land became a public park. Through gifts and purchases, the park has grown to its current size. Depew, a Republican, served in the United States Senate (1899-1911). After his defeat in a bid for a third term, he served as counsel and, later, president of New York Central Railroad.