Blogs

Author: 
FOCAAdmin

On a gorgeous Saturday morning in mid-March, 35 volunteers, including many children and teens, gathered to learn about native and non-native flora and fauna.

The event was organized by the Irvington Green Policy Task Force in collaboration with the Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct, the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Irvington Parks Department, the O’Hara Nature Center and the Pollinator Pathways Project.

Author: 
FOCAAdmin

You've been asking us to do this. Now it's happening.

NY State Parks Taconic Region has approved the Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct’s application to repair and rebuild much of the lower part of the Keepers House Porch.

Author: 
DAlden

 

Event organizer Norma Silva pulled together another very impactful ILMPD on a section of the Aqueduct that borders Westchester County’s Tibbitts Brook Park, sponsored as always by Parks & Trails NY (which provided the red t-shirts) in collaboration with Westchester Parks Foundation, River Keeper Sweep and Groundwork Hudson Valley’s Green Team. They were delighted to have their work acknowledged by the presence of City of Yonkers Council Member Corazon Pineda-Issac.

Amazing what 38 volunteers could accomplish!

Author: 
DAlden

Photo credit: Haven Colgate

For the May 6th, 2023 New York Parks & Trails' I Love My Park Day, the Garden Club of Irvington organized a day of removing invasive plants and planting native species along The Old Croton Aqueduct Trail in the Hastings-on-Hudson section. We had beautiful spring weather, and it was a true community event!

Author: 
DAlden

A comprehensive report on trail stewardship for 2023

In 2023 the focus shifted sigificantly; removal of invasive species was targeted to specific sections of the trail to encourage the emergence of native species and to make space for the restoration planting scheduled for the fall; it took place September 22nd. Sections of the trail are now lush with native plants and whole swaths are free of those prickly bushes that have plagued trail walkers and served as a breeding ground for ticks.

Author: 
joannariesman

Actuator before restoration

A little more than a year after the Friends of the OCA celebrated the building of the Croton Arch of Triumph in Dobbs Ferry, there’s a new piece of history there to look at. An original actuator from the New Croton Dam has been saved from the scrapheap, refurbished and permanently installed outside the Keeper’s House on Walnut Street.

Author: 
FOCAAdmin

Every walker who is interested in or has explored the Trail will love this article by Polly Kreisman, which puts a spotlight on the many delights of walking the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail in this month's issue of Westchester Magazine. We cannot reproduce the article but you can follow a link HERE

Author: 
FOCAAdmin

Twenty years of local organizing and activism have resulted in the Rivertowns' newest park, a peaceful place of natural beauty and local history.

Author: 
FOCAAdmin

Aqueduct Trail Ambassadors, aka the NY NJ Trail Stewards posted by the entrance to the Unique Area.

I took this photo on their first day of orientation and training just prior to the start of the season on Memorial Day weekend. Myra Romano, front and center, is the Program Coordinator.

Author: 
FOCAAdmin

The Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct were well represented by Michelle Pollack, Tom Tarnowsky and Sara Kelsey at the lively and well-attended 175th Anniversary Celebration of the High Bridge on Tuesday, June 6.