FOCAAdmin's blog

Author: 
FOCAAdmin

Listen to the Old Croton Aqueduct’s Sara Kelsey and Adam Bosch of the DEP talk about the Old Croton Aqueduct on iHeart RADIO’s “From Scratch, with Michael Ruhlman”, episode 5, featuring Chef Jean Georges Vongerichten.

The concept of the podcast series is combining an interview with a famous chef with a natural element that the chef uses in cooking along with one or two people who discuss the natural element.  In this case water and the Old Croton Aqueduct. The podcast is now live and can be found at iHeart RADIO.  A delicious and informative listen!

Tibbetts Brook as it runs through the park (photo-Sara Kelsey)
Author: 
FOCAAdmin

Because the Old Croton Aqueduct was powered by gravity alone, the Aqueduct and the trail above it do not follow a straight line. Instead, to maintain the average 13.25-inches–per–mile downward slope of the tunnel on its journey from the Croton Reservoir, its path follows the ridges formed by ancient glaciers. Armed by the early and forceful exercise of eminent domain, New York City constructed its tunnel through public and private property in a single-minded quest to meet citizens’ urgent need for clean, abundant water.

Author: 
FOCAAdmin

Going for the 26 Westchester miles of the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail in five separate walks over a period of 12 months was the goal of the Walk the Hudson Valley Meetup group, members of which can be seen on the Trail in Hastings in front of Ventilator 18. We are happy to be awarding them the 26 mile certificates and patches they have earned.

Tour atop Croton Dam
Author: 
FOCAAdmin

Photo: Suzy Allman

As co-head of Walks & Tours for the Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct and a docent at the Keeper’s House Visitor Center in Dobbs Ferry, I am frequently asked the same question: What would be a good walk or tour along the 26-mile trail that runs through these Rivertowns (the Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park)? Or perhaps along the 15-mile New York City route, which ends at the main New York Public Library (former site of the Murray Hill Distributing Reservoir)?

View through the tunnel at Lenoir
The tunnel at Lenoir
Author: 
FOCAAdmin

On this joint walk with the Lenoir Nature Preserve’s Curator, Sara Cavanaugh, along the Old Croton Aqueduct met at the Lenoir Nature Preserve, 19 Dudley St., Yonkers, and enjoyed an easy 6-mile loop walk along the Aqueduct Trail, with time spent in the Preserve and on the Trail, exploring history and nature.

Girls at the weir entrance
Meetup group at weir entrance
Author: 
FOCAAdmin

photos: Diane Alden

Early drawing of Aqueduct Bridge
Author: 
FOCAAdmin

Everyone has favorite spots on the Aqueduct trail, like Irvingtons Octagon House, or near the dam, or over Ossinings Double Arch Bridge. But to a true wanderer, the Ossining section offers real variety. Take the Sing Sing Kill Greenway, a charming dash of watery nature right downtown.

Author: 
FOCAAdmin

Thank you to all who have written to the Ossining Zoning Board of Appeals supporting enforcement of the required 25-foot buffer between the Aqueduct property and the 4-story building proposed for 49 Spring St.

Author: 
FOCAAdmin

Over 100 people showed to help with I Liove My Park Day 2019! Thank you to all of the volunteers and helpers.

Author: 
FOCAAdmin

Update on 49 Spring St., Ossining, New Building Proposal

See the original post here.

Thank you to all who have written to the Ossining Zoning Board of Appeals supporting enforcement of the required buffer between the Aqueduct property and the 4-story building proposed for 49 Spring St.

(The April hearing has been cancelled)