Lakes are a great way to beat the heat and have some safe, socially distanced fun. Relax and take in the beauty of nature, enjoy the calm waters and build sand castles. 

The following two lakes are New York State Parks and are currently open. NY State Park guidelines and restrictions are in place so please wear a face covering and maintain safe social distance. Park density limits are in effect, so have an alternate plan ready in case the park you are visiting reaches capacity. For additional information about camping, swimming and other activities, visit: COVID-19 UPDATE.  

If you are interested in going often it may be worth considering an Empire Pass card for $80, which provides all-season enjoyment with unlimited day-use entry at most facilities operated by State Parks and the State Dept. of Environmental Conservation including forests, beaches, trails and more.

If you are looking to have a family day in the “country” then Canopus Lake is the right spot for you! Just north of Westchester County, off the Taconic State Parkway, this quiet and easily accessible lake with a sandy beach is great for relaxing. After parking, you walk towards the beach and will pass large bathrooms on your left. Along with swimming, Canopus Lake offers visitors fishing on a dock (and row boats available for rent, but currently closed). With beautiful scenery among the mountains Canopus Lake is a wonderful day trip.
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Address: 1570 Route 301, Carmel, NY (Putnam County)

Vehicle Entrance Fee: $8/car
​
Open: 5/22-6/26, weekends & holidays, 6/27-9/7, daily

Inside the beautiful Harriman State Park, this wonderful Lake is a delight, which includes grills, picnic areas, fishing, hiking and a beach to swim. Lake Welch is a must see being a man-made lake with a half mile long sandy beach amongst the mountains. The calm water is great for young children.

Important Restrictions: Currently Lake Welch's parking capacity is being reduced by 50%, about 1,250 spaces. Lake Welch often fills to capacity early in the day and closures are expected so it is encouraged that you call ahead to the office at 845-947-2444 for closure information and for road conditions or by visiting 511NY throughout the day. Palisades Interstate Parkway Exit 16 (Lake Welch Parkway) will remain closed, so visitors will enter via Route 106. 

Barbecue grills near the lake are available but picnic tables have been removed to discourage large gatherings. Bathrooms will be open and cleaned regularly but showers, spray pads and fountains are turned off. Concessions will be closed and vending machines will not be available. Sports areas also will be off limits.

Address: 800 Kanawaukee Road, Stony Point, NY (Rockland County)

Fee: $10/car parking fee (cash only) applied during the swimming season from 8:00am to 4:00 pm weekdays & 7:00am to 5:00pm weekends/holidays

​Swimming hours: 
5/23/20 - 6/21/20 Weekends/Holiday only: 10:00am - 5:45pm
6/22/20 – 9/7/20 Weekends/Holidays: 9:00am - 7:00pm, Monday-Friday: 10:00am - 6:00pm

Time to get swinging! Westchester County residents can now enjoy outdoor mini golf at three county courses. Don't forget your masks and expect social distancing.

​Surrounding pools and beaches will be opening soon as well- find out more in our pool and beach update.
​

​Playland's Mini Golf 
​1 Playland Pkwy, Rye, NY 
Playland's mini golf course opens today, June 20th and will also be open tomorrow, June 21st. Then Wednesday through Sunday beginning June 26, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The fee is $5 per person.
​
Brookside Mini Golf at Tibbetts Brook Park
Midland Avenue, Yonkers, NY
Brookside mini golf course at Tibbetts Brook Park opened this past Thursday is now open daily, 12 noon – 7 p.m.,  The fee is $8 per person.

Saxon Woods Mini Golf
1800 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains, NY
Saxon Woods mini golf course at Saxon Woods Park opened this past Thursday is now open daily, 12 noon – 8 p.m.,  The fee is $9 per adult and $7 per child.

While we have not heard other local mini golf venues have opened yet, we anticipate they will.
​

Participation in the performing arts, especially starting at a young age, helps children develop crucial life skills such as creative thinking and problem solving, empathy, communication, confidence, public speaking, and more. Not to mention it’s a ton of fun! With a multitude of companies to choose from, what should parents look for when choosing a performing arts program for their children? Jill Abusch, Artistic Director of The Play Group Theatre in White Plains, and her staff discuss the 5 elements that are paramount to selecting a performing arts program that will set children up for success both on the stage and off. ​
​

1. Room to Grow 
Look for a program that has diverse offerings - you want a theatre community that is thinking not only about who your child is today, but who they can grow into tomorrow! As students grow, so should the programs available to them, including age-appropriate exploration that encourages growth at every stage of development. “Students that participate in multiple years or seasons at The Play Group Theatre gain a wide range of experiences working with peers of all ages, performing in both musicals and plays, participating both onstage and off, and being in large ensembles and small. They are constantly exposed to new adventures and environments,” says Hannah Stephens, a director and teaching artist in both the MainStage and Theatre Lab programs at PGT. 

A theatre that is providing your child with room to grow is investing meaningfully in the creative process. Jill Abusch, PGT’s Artistic Director, says that you should look for programs that promote active exploration and experimentation, allowing time for one of the most crucial lessons of the performing arts: embracing failure as a step to success! And make sure that those programs are providing opportunities for creative and developmental growth. “I just love to watch our students grow from an early experience, like playing a Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz through learning advanced text and character analysis and ultimately doing plays like The Crucible or The Tempest. Or seeing a student who had a blast in the cast of Shrek, develop a new interest in sound design, and move from the stage to the tech booth. We are constantly assessing our students’ growth and providing new challenges. And ultimately we get to look back at where they’ve come from, on a journey filled with a range of diverse experiences, and that is part of what makes them such an interesting artist!” says Abusch. Experience in an array of theatre disciplines allows students to appreciate the craft as a whole and gain a deep understanding of everyone’s role in the theatre. This leads to a greater respect for both the art form and their peers and mentors. 
​

2. A Non-competitive Environment
With great friends comes great theatre. Students can, and should, experience rigorous and professional training, without feeling the need to compete with their friends and peers for opportunities. The stronger the bonds between students are off stage, the more powerful and impactful the work will be on stage. With a strong, supportive network of teachers, friends, and audiences, students feel the freedom to perform and express themselves without feeling any judgement. “PGT friendships last a lifetime, in part, due to the fact that PGT students are always encouraged to support each other,” says Daniel Goldberg, PGT alumni and Camp PGT staff member.  Because the theatre can be a competitive place, a sense of community and non-competitiveness has to be intentionally fostered by teachers and directors. One way this environment can be created is through the very structure of the program itself.  If a theatre is offering a diverse array of performance opportunities, rather than double casting a single show, then they are more likely to ensure that each student has access to the roles that are right for them. Double casting, which involves casting multiple students in the same part, places the gratification of the casting process over the overall artistic and educational experience of the production. When multiple students have to share a role, the results are often product-oriented, with the emphasis naturally shifting to a more competitive environment. Instead, “The Play Group Theatre teaches students to approach every single role like a lead role and reminds every actor that they are all equally responsible for the success of the show,” says Goldberg, who has seen the benefits of this approach both as a student and a member of the staff. When every actor feels a sense of responsibility and pride in the process, the finished product is one of great depth, and becomes much more rewarding and victorious for everyone involved. By giving students the tools to make any role stand out and feel important, regardless of number of lines or the size of the part, teachers and directors send their students out into the world with a strong ability to adapt to any circumstance and creatively make the most of any situation.

3. Emphasis on Making Choices, and Skill Development 
While the joy of a great performance is exciting for everyone involved, what parents should search for in their arts program, in addition to quality productions, is emphasis on the creative process, which develops the life skills that children will carry with them into their adult lives. Outside of the arts, students are used to having access to all of the information in the world at their fingertips and are comfortable using google or their textbooks to find the “right” or “wrong” answer to every question. In the creative process, there are an unlimited number of “right” answers to any given question and students learn to explore and unlock many of them before settling on their own unique and specific choice. The arts is all about making strong choices, and it becomes an artist’s job to embrace the choices that are right for them and only them. Look for a program that allows time and space for exploring those choices, rather than a program that focuses on learning lines and staging, which is the least creative aspect of a rehearsal process.  But the time and freedom to make choices isn’t where a good arts education ends. In addition to embracing the power of creative choices, students must also develop the skills to communicate those choices to an audience. Skills like vocal and movement training, acting technique, time management, text analysis, critical thinking, and more empower students to share their unique choices, taking them from the rehearsal room to the stage. Jill Abusch says, “At PGT, we find that when our students find success and comfort in ambiguity and learn to pair their creative ideas with technical ability, they develop crucial skills like creative thinking, problem solving, and confidence in themselves that transform their performances. More importantly it benefits them for the rest of their lives, no matter their chosen career path.”

​4. Focus on Empathy and Emotional Development 
One of the most important elements that students gain from a quality arts education is the ability to practice empathy and communicate their emotions. The presence of empathy is declining rapidly in our world, just when we seem to need it the most. However, studying theatre during childhood is one proven way to ensure that children grow up understanding what it is like to walk in someone else’s shoes and how to look at any given situation from multiple points of view. “At PGT, we ask our students to be both physically and emotionally present in any given moment, taking the time and effort to truly see and connect with each other, their teachers, and the characters they are playing on stage,” says Hannah Stephens. By discussing what motivates each character and what lies behind the choices they make, students are developing empathic skills and using them to find truth in the given circumstances of the imaginary world. Look for theatre programs that strive to cast young actors in roles that are in contrast to their own experiences and personalities, challenging them to understand new feelings, perspectives, and ideas. Empathy is a skill that must be practiced, and it is one that, in the right theatre program, will be a primary focus as students learn to confidently share their feelings, understand their characters, and discover truth in a rich imaginary world. This prepares them to go out into the world as caring, confident, well-rounded artists and people.
​

5. A Strong Sense of Community  
​Children benefit from a strong sense of belonging, freedom from judgement, and a safe place to express themselves. Find a theatre community that welcomes each and every student who walks through their doors, allowing them the space and safety to be silly, creative, and ultimately, themselves. Look for a wide range of classes, taught by instructors from all backgrounds, and a diverse and rich community where students learn to appreciate and embrace everyone’s unique experiences and talents. “In addition to building a community of students, staff and parents, PGT fosters a strong network of alumni and artists that expands beyond the walls of their building and out into the world. Students that join PGT benefit from being part of a community that possesses a strong set of values, traditions, and common goals that stay with its students for the rest of their lives,” says alum and Camp PGT staff member Marina Lebowich. More than just a place to learn and grow as young theatre artists, the theatre you find for your child today, should provide its students with a home that they can always return to, knowing that they will be loved, embraced, and accepted exactly as they are. ​ ​

To find out more about The Play Group Theatre’s unique artistic and educational philosophy, visit http://www.playgroup.org/story/philosophy.php. The Play Group Theatre is currently enrolling for Virtual Summer Camps for all ages, and Fall registration will be open soon! Visit this website for more information and to find the perfect program for your young artist today! www.playgroup.org/summer-online/

For the past 16 years, outdoor summer movies at Kensico Dam has been a tradition in Westchester county. And this year the show will go on! Entergy Screenings Under the Stars outdoor movie series at Kensico Dam Plaza will be transformed into a drive-in! This will allow families to enjoy the movie experience in a safe, socially-distanced way. Movies included are The Secret Life of Pets (PG, 2019) on Friday, July 17 and Wonder Park (PG, 2019) on Friday, Aug. 14.

County Executive George Latimer said: “With COVID-19 still a reality, our Parks Department is coming up with new ways for county residents to experience parks and programs that they’ve come to enjoy over the years. Watching a movie from your car will be a novelty for some and nostalgic for others, but fun for everybody.”

​Both movies will be ticketed-admission events, with purchase available by online pre-sale only.
Tickets go on sale for The Secret Life of Pets on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 online at 2 p.m. at wcparks.ticketleap.com/drivein. Tickets are $20 per car and there will be a 125-car limit due to capacity and distancing protocols. Wonder Park tickets will go on sale at the same link on Monday, July 20, also starting at 2 p.m..

Moviegoers will be asked to maintain a six-foot distance from others when exiting their vehicles, and to wear a mask at all times when outside their vehicles. No gatherings will be permitted. Exiting your vehicle will be permitted when using the restrooms; while sitting in your lawn chairs which must be placed up against the front or back of your vehicle; or while sitting in the bed of your pickup truck. Restrooms will be serviced routinely and hand sanitizer will be available.

Entergy Screenings Under the Stars is presented by Westchester County Parks and Sharc Creative with Westchester Parks Foundation, and support from Westchester Talk Radio, 100.7 WHUD, 107.1 The Peak, Rey Insurance, Hamlethub. Robison, Inspiria Outdoor Advertising, Metro-North Railroad and Westchester Magazine.

The ticket link will be listed at www.westchestergov.com/parks.

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Cognitive and Behavioral Consultants (CBC) has announced openings in their ongoing intensive program for young adults and their families. SAGE, The System for Adult Growth and Emergence, formerly known as the STEPS program, is available to clients using a state-of-the-art virtual platform.
 
Admission is now open for SAGE which utilizes both CBT and DBT strategies and is designed for young adults with a primary diagnosis of a mood or anxiety disorder who have difficulty regulating emotions and behaviors and present with multiple problems. The program, which will be conducted virtually, is for young adults whose lives may have been further disrupted by school closings, loss of part-time employment, difficulties transitioning from college to full-time jobs, and enforced social isolation. Parents, who also attend virtually, may particularly benefit from learning validation and conflict resolution skills at a time when more young adults are living at home, and families are spending many hours together.
 
“Our group and individual virtual therapy sessions are designed to support young adults whose lives may have been further disrupted by school closings, loss of part-time employment, difficulties transitioning from college to full-time jobs, and enforced social isolation,” says Dr. Lata K. McGinn, co-founder of CBC. “Parents may also benefit from the coordinating parent program, learning validation, and conflict resolution skills at a time when more young adults are living at home, and families are spending so many hours together.” Accepted participants are generally high school graduates aged 18 to 26, with a primary diagnosis of mood or anxiety disorder.
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SAGE for Young Adults is a 2-part program with a Coordinating Parent program.
 
In Sage 1, Young Adults, typically between the ages of 18-26, attend groups between 10 am-12:30 pm four mornings per week for six weeks. New members join each Monday.
 
Sage 2 is for young adults who have completed SAGE 1 and is aimed at increasing skills generalization and improving executive functioning skills, as well as learning new skills. Clients attend two groups per week for a minimum of six weeks and work on specific, measurable goals. After six weeks, as goals are met, clients may attend one group session a week.
 
CBC also provides a coordinating Parent Program to help parents learn skills to communicate effectively to their young adults and to regulate their emotional responses.
 
Young adults are required to be in ongoing individual therapy in addition to the SAGE program, which may be provided by one of our therapists. Parent management training, couples therapy, or individual therapy for parents may be recommended on a case-by-case basis. 
 
Interested participants should contact Dr. Michelle Greenberg at (914) 385 x 1150 to schedule an intake assessment with Dr. Suzanne Davino or another SAGE team member. Visit the CBC website to learn more about the SAGE program at this link: SAGE Program for Young Adults.
 
Cognitive and Behavioral Consultants (CBC) is an evidence-based clinical and training center comprised of internationally recognized mental health professionals who have researched, pioneered, and are highly experienced in delivering cutting edge treatments that help adults, adolescents, and children live more fulfilled lives. Founded in 2004 by Dr. Lata K. McGinn and Dr. Alec L. Miller, leaders in the fields of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, the CBC team provides a large array of Clinical and Wellness services to the public, provides Custom Designed Programs for schools, agencies, and businesses, and Continuing Education for Professionals in the field of psychology. More information can be found at www.cbc-psychology.com  or by calling 914-385-1150.
 
 
SUMMER GROUPS ANNOUNCED 
Social Anxiety Summer Virtual Groups:
www.cbc-psychology.com/events/social-anxiety-group-for-high-schoolers-and-young-adults
These groups are for teens and young adults who would benefit from learning skills to reduce anxiety in social situations. Participants will learn strategies to challenge worry thoughts experienced in social situations, enhance conversational and assertiveness skills, and practice these skills in different real-life activities through exposures.
Interested participants should contact Dr. Michelle Greenberg at (914) 385-1150 x 1 or email [email protected]
 
DBT Summer Virtual Groups:
www.cbc-psychology.com/events/summer-dbt-skills-groups-for-young-adults
Designed to support a successful transition into young adulthood, this group is for young adults (18-26 years old) who would benefit from learning skills to regulate their emotions, tolerate distress, improve their interpersonal relationships, and increase their self-awareness and focus.
To attend this group, participants must meet regularly with a therapist or psychiatrist (who may be outside of CBC).  Interested participants should contact Dr. Michelle Greenberg at (914) 385-1150 x 1 or email [email protected]
 
CBC offers comprehensive Neuropsychological Evaluations to help identify problems in cognitive, motor, behavioral, linguistic, and executive functioning in children, adolescents, and adults. We also offer both individual and group coaching for individuals who present with executive functioning difficulties. 
 
Autism Diagnostic Evaluations - The range of presentations in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders can make these patients difficult to diagnose. Our evaluations include an ADOS-2, as well as other tools to evaluate cognition, social skills, language pragmatics, and behavior. Significant components of the evaluation process include a thorough clinical history and comprehensive treatment planning.
 
CBC also offers the Parent Child Interactive Program. The PCIT program is an evidence-based treatment for young children between the ages of 2-7 who display emotional and/or behavioral difficulties. It teaches parents specialized, therapeutic parenting strategies to use with children who have these difficulties. 
 
If you are interested in additional virtual programs for your child or yourself, please contact us. 914-385-1150, option 1.

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More good news for parents! Westchester County announced yesterday that county summer camps will open July 6th and registration begins Monday, June 15th. County Executive George Latimer said: “Because of the State’s structuring of summer camps, we are able to open some of our County day camp programs. While the camps have certain parameters that may be a little different – we are opening them and that is the important part.”

This is another step forward in the reopening process following last week's pool opening announcement. Also worth noting is that Bicycle Sundays on the Bronx River Parkway has now been extended to include July and August dates (June 7, 14, 21, 28; 10 am – 2 pm; Additional Sundays Added are July 12, 19, 26; August 2 , 9, 16, 23, 30; and Sept. 13, 20, 27)!

​Day Camps will be open! Locations include Muscoot Farm, Cranberry Lake Preserve, Lenoir Preserve, Marshlands Conservancy (6 week, 5 day sessions, July 6 – Aug 14), Trailside Nature Museum (7 week, 5 day sessions Friday, July 6 – Aug 21), Hole-in-One Junior Golf Camp at six golf courses (6 week, 5 day sessions, July 6 – Aug 14).

For safety purposes there will be a reduction of campers and social distancing and masks required as per New York State Guidance. Registration begins online Monday, June 15th at 2pm https://parks.westchestergov.com/activities/childrens-camps. 


Additional details:

• The camps held at the nature centers will operate outdoors only because of limited indoor space; therefore, the camps will close on inclement weather days. Muscoot Farm camp will be held outdoors and, during inclement weather, inside the large activity building.
• Muscoot’s curriculum will be modified due to State and County Health Department guidelines. Muscoot camp registration is currently full and waitlisted. Tuition is $250 per camper, per week.
• At Cranberry Lake Preserve in North White Plains and Lenoir Preserve in Yonkers, camp groups will be smaller than in typical years, with eight campers per session in order to achieve proper social distancing. Camp runs in six, five-day sessions, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting Monday, July 6. Tuition is $350 per camper per week. Camp will be cancelled if heavy rain or thunderstorms are forecast. A make-up day will be scheduled at the end of camp for any missed days.
• At Marshlands Conservancy in Rye, which also begins Monday, July 6 and runs for six, five day sessions. Camp day will be split into two daily sessions: 9 a.m. to noon for children in grades 1 – 3 and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for children in grades 4 – 6. Tuition is $175 per camper per week. Camp will be cancelled on days with heavy or thunderstorms forecast. A weather make-up day will be available at the end of camp.
• Age range is grades 1 – 12 at the nature center camps and age 4 to grade 12 at Muscoot.
• A new family camp concept is being introduced at the Trailside Nature Museum at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Cross River. There will be seven, five-week sessions starting July 6. Prior to their session, families will pick up a “Family Camp Box” containing materials and supplies for their week of on-site activities, once at camp, each day will consist of one to two hours of self-guided activities combined with one naturalist-led activity. Heavy rain and thunderstorms will cancel camp.
• The Parks Department’s Hole-in-One Junior Golf Camp for ages 10 to 17 will take place at the six county-owned golf courses: Mohansic in Yorktown Heights, Hudson Hills in Ossining, Maple Moor in White Plains, Saxon Woods in Scarsdale and Dunwoodie and Sprain Lake, both in Yonkers. Sessions times and start dates vary with location; tuition is $75 per participant. Registration will be limited to 10 participants per session to assure social distancing.

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​A recent study from the New England Journal of Medicine out of Kaiser in Northern California, which is a large integrated healthcare HMO in the region, showed a significant decrease in patients coming into the hospital with an acute myocardial infarction, or what we know as a heart attack, during late March and April of 2020 (ref 1). This is very concerning, because it is unlikely that the number of people suffering from a heart attack during this time period actually decreased – instead they did not seek care in time. This is an extreme, possibly life-threatening example, but it represents a reason why we should not delay medical care during this COVID-19 pandemic. Especially now that the incidence of the disease is slowly decreasing in the New York and New Jersey areas, it is very important that people not delay medical care. 

ENT and Allergy Associates, LLP, opened our doors back up to in-clinic patient visits on April 27. We have been taking extreme safety precautions and social distancing to prevent the spread and to make sure it is very safe for all of our patients and staff to be in our offices. All staff and patients are wearing face coverings, temperatures are being checked, patients are questioned for recent exposure, surfaces and clinic rooms are being cleaned regularly, and chairs are spaced out in our waiting room. We are seeing fewer patients per hour than usual in order to keep our waiting rooms from overcrowding.

​Patients are still having acute asthma attacks, rashes, ear infections and sinus pain and problems smelling. Your allergist and immunologists are available for asthma treatments. Your difficulty smelling may have started from a COVID infection many weeks ago, maybe even an asymptomatic one, but if it continues to persist this could actually be caused by nasal polyps, which need to be diagnosed and treated.  A persistent sinus infection that is not properly treated can continue to get worse, and you need a physical exam to actually determine whether your sinus symptoms are a bacterial infection, possibly a viral infection, or just allergies.  Though we are still providing telemedicine services for those who need it, it is very difficult to discern between these diagnoses without a physical exam in clinic.  We are in the midst of the spring allergy season now, and we are providing testing and immunotherapy for those who are suffering. 
 
Ear infections are difficult to treat over telemedicine because there is a big difference between an external ear infection (or swimmer’s ear) or a middle ear infection, which is often associated with a sinus infection or cold. The treatments for these conditions – antibiotic eardrops vs oral antibiotics, are very different, and it’s not good to unnecessarily take antibiotics as this can cause resistant and gastrointestinal symptoms. That ear pain you have could actually just be temporomandibular joint dysfunction, ear wax impaction, or just some noninfected fluid in the ear, or just eustachian tube dysfunction. We are here to physically look into your ear and explain what is happening. If you are suffering from dizziness, we are equipped here to give you a full evaluation, including a hearing test if needed, and help figure out what is causing it.
​

Finally, surgery centers are open. They are also taking extra precautions, testing patients and healthcare workers for the virus. The ENTA physicians are now available to resume sinus surgeries, septoplasties, rhinoplasties, ear tube placements, tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies, as well as all of the other procedures we offer. If you had been waiting to have a surgery right before the pandemic hit, call your local ENTA office to discuss scheduling it.

ref 1: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2015630?query=featured_coronavirus

Things are looking up! Outdoor pools in Westchester County are opening, with social distancing and safety measures in place.  Here is an update on the latest county pool and beach information.

As information changes regularly, we suggest keeping an eye on these websites for the latest updates regarding outdoor openings and closings:

• Westchester County Parks COVID-19 Updates 
• Westchester Parks updates on Facebook & Twitter
• Westchester County Beaches and Pools
• ​NY State Parks COVID-19 Page
• NY State Region Tracker (see Mid-Hudson)​​

Yesterday, Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced that four county pools will open this summer. On Friday, June 26 Saxon Woods Pool in White Plains and Sprain Ridge Pool in Yonkers will open followed by Willson Woods Pool in Mount Vernon and Tibbetts Brook Pool in Yonkers on July 3. The County will not be opening Playland Pool this summer

The details:

• Two daily sessions, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. All tickets sold at the pool day of visit. When Session One is sold out at locations, Session Two tickets will go on sale. Only day of tickets will be sold.
• Admission – $4 adults and children; free for children under 5 but counted as part of maximum occupancy. No issuance of seasonal Swim Passes.
• Open to Westchester residents only - Visitors will be required to verify their residency with their Westchester County Park Pass or driver’s license with a Westchester address.
• Pools – 50% capacity for sunning and swimming.
• Food concessions – Open under NYS social distancing protocols.
• Bathrooms – open
• Showers – closed
• Swimming features closed - Saxon Woods aqua playground; Sprain Ridge aqua splash pad; Willson’s Woods no waves, aqua playground, Splash Pad, Slides; Tibbetts Brook no tubes, aqua playground, basketball court or slides.
• Social distancing – Visitors must wear a mask if they cannot social distance within six feet. Small families in specific sand areas do not have to wear mask when sitting. Mask not required in the water.

Currently Playland and Croton Point Beaches are open only Saturdays and Sundays. On June 26, Croton Point Park beach will be open Thursday-Sunday and Playland beach will be open every day but Monday.  The following beach stipulations apply now:

• 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., no admittance after 6 p.m.
• Admission - $4 adults, $3 for children ages 5 to 11 and free for children age 5 and under.
• Parking - $5 with Park Pass; $10 without.
• Beach and Park – Open to Westchester Residents only. Visitors will be required to verify their residency with their Westchester County Park Pass or driver’s license with a Westchester address.
• Beach - 50% capacity for sunning and swimming, no concessions.
• Bathrooms – Open
• Showers – Closed
• Concessions – Closed
• Coolers – with food and non-alcoholic beverages in plastic containers only.
• Social Distancing – Visitors must wear a mask if they cannot social distance within six feet. Small families in specific sand areas do not have to wear a mask when sitting. Mask not required in the water

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Westchester County, NY is home to several nature centers and preserves for children to enjoy the magic of nature. The county's nature centers provide undisturbed habitat for wildlife and a peaceful oasis for people to explore and learn about their natural environment. Explore, take a hike, see the animals and savor the delights of nature. Best of all, most of the outdoor spaces are free (parking fees are required in some cases)!

At this time, only outdoor spaces are open and some restrictions are in place. Please check the venue's website for the latest details before heading over.

Cranberry Lake Preserve
1609 Old Orchard Street
North White Plains, NY

Cranberry Lake Preserve is a 190-acre park in North White Plains (see the map). Opened in 1967, the park is a safe haven for animals and plants, including migratory birds, turtles, and dragonflies. Check out a variety of habitats including a four-acre lake, cliffs and scrubland, mixed hardwood forest, vernal pools, and a swamp. The History Trail provides a history lesson about the remains of a 19th-century farmhouse and early 20th-century stone-mining operation. 

The Nature Center offers live animals, displays and nature programs for the whole family (on weekends).

COVID-19 Update: To promote social distancing, one-way traffic is in place on paths and trails. Parking lots may close intermittently on high-volume days. The grounds are open. The Nature Center building is temporarily unavailable until further notice. 

Croton Point Nature Center
1 Croton Point Ave.
Croton-on-Hudson, NY

The Croton Point Nature Center is located at the 504-acre Croton Point Park, the largest peninsula on the Hudson River (see the map). The building has exhibits on local flora and fauna including Hudson River specimens, local and Native American history and hands-on activities. The nature center is equipped with a restroom, maps and information.

COVID-19 Update: Grounds are open but the Nature Center building is temporarily unavailable until further notice. 

​Greenburgh Nature Center
99 Dromore Rd.
Scarsdale, NY

Located on 33 acres, the Greenburgh Nature Center includes an indoor building, woodland preserve with hiking trails, a pond, organic garden, Nature's Discovery Playground, native plant meadow and over 100 animals. Animals are located inside and outside. Outdoor animals include birds of prey and farm animals. Programs for all ages and events are available as well. Grounds are open daily dawn to dusk throughout the year. Please note, because they are a nature preserve, dogs are not allowed on the property.

COVID-19 Update: Currently the Manor House and playground are closed, however, the GNC encourages you to continue to take advantage of the healing powers of nature. From dawn till dusk, enjoy the 33-acre property with its hiking trails, native meadow and vernal pond, and say hello to the outdoor animals. 

Rye Nature Center
873 Boston Post Rd.
Rye, NY

The Rye Nature Center is a 47-acre wildlife preserve with over two miles of hiking trails, ponds, streams, and granite outcroppings. The Nature Center has a museum space as well as indoor and outdoor classrooms. Grounds are open everyday from dawn to dusk. The building and offices are open from 9 to 5, Monday through Saturday. Dogs are not allowed on the grounds or trails. They offer online programs, events, camps and parties.

COVID-19 Update: Currently the building and playground areas are closed, and classes and events suspended. Please see the website for how this affects specific programs, events, and classes. Unless otherwise required by law, the Nature Center grounds and trails will remain open daily from dawn until dusk.

​Sheldrake Environmental Center
685 Weaver St
Larchmont, NY

Sheldrake Environmental Center offers nearly 60 acres of outdoor space to enjoy.  Explore the woods, stroll past the meadow, relax by the pond and enjoy abundant wildlife everywhere! Trails are pet-friendly and dogs are welcome on a leash. Check out their trail map.

COVID-19 Update: since there is no indoor space at this center, all is open.

Teatown Lake Reservation
1600 Spring Valley Rd.
Ossining, NY

Teatown is a nature preserve and environmental education center with 15 miles of hiking trails, a two-acre island refuge for over 230 species of native wildflowers, programming, wildlife exhibits, and natural science day camps. Teatown has 1,000 acres, making it the largest privately held nature preserve in Westchester! The Nature Center and nearby Raptor Loop Trail have birds of prey and animal displays, programs and events.  Hiking trails open daily dawn to dusk.

COVID-19 Update: Teatown is welcoming an unprecedented number of visitors during this time. Please be advised of the following:

• The Visitor Center and restrooms remain closed until further notice. The trails remain open from dawn till dusk.
• Parking tags are again required. Parking tags are required from Friday to Sunday and on holidays, from 9am to 5pm until November. Click here for more information on their parking policy.
• Please park safely in designated parking lots and not along public roadways. Cars parked on the public roads in the Teatown neighborhood are creating a safety hazard for pedestrians, neighbors, and could make it difficult or impossible for first-responder vehicles to pass in the event of an emergency.
• Weekday visitation levels have remained manageable. To reduce overcrowding, we ask those who are able to please visit the preserve during the week instead of on the weekend.

​Weinberg Nature Center
455 Mamaroneck Ave.
Scarsdale, NY

Built in 1958, the Weinberg Nature Center contains 7.7 acres of land with ponds, live animals, nature trails, a trailside museum and campsite. They also offer birthday parties and nature programs. Check out a map of their grounds for more details.

COVID-19 Update: Trails open seven days week, sunrise to sunset. Please follow guidelines and practice social distancing and be safe. The Nature Center building is closed to the public, but by all means enjoy the trails. Do not feed the animals outdoors nor try and touch them.

Westmoreland Sanctuary
260 Chestnut Ridge Road
​Mount Kisco, NY

Westmoreland is a wildlife preserve offering 640 acres of land, including woodland and streams.  The nature sanctuary also offers a variety of environmental education, conservation and recreational programs and events serving nearly 15,000 visitors every year. 

Westmoreland’s Sanctuary’s Nature Center and Museum is a historic reconstructed 200-year old church. Inside the building are exhibits of local flora and fauna, live animals, a bird observation window and an auditorium. 

Hiking trails are open dawn until dusk, 365 days a year (see the map).

COVID-19 Update: Westmoreland Museum was closed through June 1, trails remain open. It is not indicated whether the museum has reopened yet.

Wolf Conservation Center
7 Buck Run
South Salem, NY

The Wolf Conservation Center (WCC) is a not-for-profit environmental education organization located in South Salem, NY that teaches people about wolves. They offer both on and off-site programs. On-site education programs offer peopleof all ages opportunities to learn about and see wolves. The programs run approximately 1.5 hours and all visitors are required to pre-register.

COVID-19 Update: The Wolf Conservation Center is temporarily closing to the public effective March 12 - June 30 as a measure to help slow the spread of COVID-19. However, you can check out their webcam! The Wolf Conservation Center is excited to offer free distance learning programs to classes adapting to new learning environments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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