Taxter Ridge Park Preserve
Directions
To reach the Sheldon Avenue trailhead (at end of a dead end road)
- From westbound I-87-I287 take the Route 119 Exit (last exit before toll). Turn left onto Route 119 and when it ends at Route 9, turn left again just past the east bound I-87/I287 exit/ entrance ramp. Turn left on Walter Avenue. Go left again on Sheldon Avenue and follow it 0.5 mile to the end.
- From east bound I-87/I-287, stay in the right hand lane when approaching the tolls of the Tappan Zee Bridge. Take Exit 9, Route 9 and turn left at the bottom of the ramp. Take the next left and follow the directions above from.
- GPS Coordinates: 41.059242,-73.84747
The Mt. Pleasant Lane trailhead (on-street parking in a cul-de-sac)
- From Route 9 in Tarrytown, turn east on East Sunnyside Lane which is opposite the road to Sunnyside historic site. Go 0.6 mile and make a slight left onto Taxter Road. Take the first left onto Pine Lane and left again to Mt. Pleasant Lane. Park in the cul-de-sac near the sign.
- GPS coordinates: 41.048751,-73.849461
No public transportation
Park Overview
In the midst of heavily traveled highways and bordered by residential areas, Taxter Ridge Park Preserve is a large green oasis providing enjoyable hiking though beautiful woods.
Trail Overview
There are three blazed trails in the preserve:
Hike in from parking on Mt Pleasant Lane and follow an easy trail (blue blaze) through wooded forest for 1.4 miles. The trail passes by a 250 year-old oak tree and a deep ravine.
From parking on Sheldon Avenue in Tarrytown, hike a more challenging trail (orange blaze) for 0.9 mile that meanders up and down hills. Initially it is on a graded woods road. A bit after it becomes a single track, until it meets the blue-blazed trail from Mt Pleasant Lane. Sections away from the NYS Thruway are quiet.
A third 0.2-mile trail (yellow blaze) from Taxter Road in Greenburgh is not open, but will lead from a proposed parking lot to be built but as of 2016 funds are still lacking.
Park Description
Considered by some to be the gateway to Westchester County, Taxter Ridge Park Preserve is an excellent example of how concerned citizens rallied to protect a large tract of open space in southern Westchester County. The horse-shoe shaped park has a landscape featuring natural rock ledges, woodlands, streams, wetlands and old growth forest. The 190 acre park is jointly owned by New York State, Westchester County and the Town of Greenburgh with the latter providing maintance.