In a ceremony on July 9 at Ossining’s Gerlach Park, Dustin Hofer (left) of Briarcliff Boy Scout Troop 18 was awarded his Eagle Scout badge, the highest rank in scouting, for planning and carrying out construction of a stairway connecting the park with the Old Croton Aqueduct (see Friends newsletter no. 37, Winter 2011, for a full description). The stairway creates convenient access to the north end of the Aqueduct and to Croton Gorge County Park and the New Croton Dam, since Gerlach Park has plenty of parking as well as restroom facilities. The walk is about two and a half miles to the dam.
The Yonkers Green Policy Task Force awarded Aquefest Producer, Eileen Charles a Greenie Award at the their 3rd Annual Greenie Award Night at the Beczak Environmental Center on June 1st. The “Greenies” are a mock Oscar green tie/green carpet event honoring those who live or work in Yonkers and who make an effort to preserve the environment.
Members of The Friends gathered last week at Mavis' house to watch a DVD from the BBC series Filthy Cities. The BBC produced a series of 3 films called "Filthy Cities", covering the great cities of the world before the arrival of clean water and other ways of keeping clean and odor-free!
The BBC crew came to the Aqueduct in October of 2010 and filmed inside the tunnel. The production team sent us the DVD of the film on NYC - so we all gathered at Mavis' house to watch and and applaud our own Aqueduct.
One of the many schools that had a field trip to the Aqueduct was the International School at 318 Eugenio Mariade Hostos in NYC. This group was specializing in environmental studies, led by Biologist, artist, education consultant, Nim Lee (check her website for her amazing talents.)
Painters love the Aqueduct Trail because it's so beautiful, in any season.
On May 28, Mavis Cain led a group of walkers on the trail in Yonkers, making a detour into Untermyer Park to see the artistic gardens, so colorful, as well as the amazing sculptures brought here by Untermyer, who also commissioned sculpture to be done here.
All walks and tours will be led by a member of the Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct. Walks are free to all and (unless specifically noted) do not require prior registration. Check contact information for updates on schedule, weather, etc.
You'll remember the grant the Friends received to do this important piece of trail work. The first step of the work has been made with Steven Oakes, former site manager descending into the dark and murky depths of the tunnel in the area where the work will be done. The integrity of the brick work has to be ascertained.
New York City's proposed design for the restoration of the High Bridge was presented to the Landmarks Preservation Commission at a hearing on April 5, 2011. The entire set of drawings can be downloaded HERE.
Please come to our Annual Meeting and discover what the Old Croton Aqueduct owes to the aqueducts of Ancient Rome.
Prof Peter Aicher, author of " Guide to the Aqueducts of Ancient Rome" will give an illustrated talk on the extent to which the monuments of Roman engineering infuenced the design, appearance and construction of our own aqueduct.
A brief business meeting will precede Professor Aicher's talk. Refreshments will be served.
Date and time: April 10, 2 p,m,
The trail as a cross country skier's paradise! Mavis and member Benedikte enjoy the views. Another skier - a distinguished gentleman stopped me on the trail to say "It doesn't get any better than this - The trail, the river, the snow, the sun -- and all so near NYC!"
The Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct are happy to be working with the Village of Dobbs Ferry to make the entrance to the trail accessible to all—even those who are handicapped. The Village has given $10,000 to the project which will be credited to the mandatory matching funds account required for the Recreational Trails Grant.
Attention High Bridge Fans! A large, beautiful oil painting of the High Bridge in winter, painted around 1913 by Hayley Lever, is on display until Dec. 30 at a midtown gallery. The digital image cuts off the very top of the painting; when seen in full it shows "specks" on the deck of the bridge, clearly representing people enjoying the views. The exhibit is at the Spanierman Gallery, 45 E. 58th St. between Madison and Park; hours 9:30-5:30, Mon.-Sat.
The drawing took place on November 20 on the porch of the Keeper's House. AND THE WINNERS ARE...
lst prize: Eugenie Anderson of Washington DC wins the Transeo bike.
2nd prize: Soo Chin of Dobbs Ferry wins Dinner for Two at Orissa restaurant in Dobbs Ferry.
3rd Prize: Jo Brimmer of Dobbs Ferry wins a basket of Aqueduct gifts.
The Friends want to thank everyone who participated to help our big project. Thanks, too, to Jason at Endless Trail for working with us.
Walks to and from the New Croton Dam and Croton Gorge County Park just became a lot more convenient, thanks to a handsome flight of steps built by a Briarcliff Manor Eagle Scout. Drive to the entrance (green sign) of the Town of Ossining’s Gerlach Park on Old Albany Post Road. Bear left to the north end and park in the large asphalt area at the base of the new steps. These take you to the Aqueduct, which adjoins the park. This area is north of the GE campus. It’s about 2.5 miles to the dam. Thank you Ossining and Scout!
This is a major turning point in the long campaign, in which the Friends have played an active role, to restore and reopen this most renowned feature of the Old Croton Aqueduct. The NYC Parks Department is asking for input from the public.
Click HERE to download a PDF of comments submitted by the Friends.
Questions or comments? Contact C. Fahn at czfahn@yahoo.com or 914-478-3961.
We're currently planning our 6th annual, trail-long celebration of the Old Croton Aqueduct for Saturday, Oct. 9th and Sunday Oct. 10th. Committees are forming in Yonkers, Hastings, Dobbs Ferry, Irvington, Tarrytown, Ossining and Croton.
We need you! Looking for fun, folksy, Aqueduct related or inspired artists, musicians, dancers, children's performers, historians, engineers, naturalists, trail users of all kinds. Also volunteers to host membership tables, donate baked goods, set-up and clean-up.
This has been a big season for field trips. PS 116 of Manhattan sent 4th and 5th graders with their enthusiastic leader, Michelle Yonkell. These kids know a lot about the water system of New York - enough to keep us on our toes with accurate facts. After seeing the movie and listening to Mavis' stories about John Jervis, the kids had to test the echo in the tunnel and hunt for bats. They went back to the city wearing their Aqueduct bracelets and armed with a fact sheet.
Member Stephen DeVillo (center in the photo, with Ellie Carren and Matt Malina) led the Friends' first circumnavigation of 94-acre Jerome Park Reservoir on May 23. Lively commentary focused on the Croton system and interesting history of the surrounding neighborhoods. The beautiful allee of trees in the photo is in Fort Independence Park at the reservoir's north end. The fort that once stood here was sited by George Washington (see plaque).
New York City's proposed design for the restoration of the High Bridge was presented to the Landmarks Preservation Commission at a hearing on April 5, 2011. The entire set of drawings can be downloaded 
