Restoration of the Keeper’s House
Last inhabited in 1962, the Keeper’s House was kept on life support through FOCA’s volunteer efforts and emergency repairs by NYS Parks. Its rehabilitation, which began in 2001, was a collaboration that included the Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation and Stephen Tilly, Architect. Working diligently to address the project’s unique challenges and striving to meet the highest preservation standards, the team completed the restoration in 2016. The successful restoration project was honored at the 2016 New York State Preservation Awards and was the recipient of a 2016 Greater Hudson Heritage Network Award for Excellence.
Maps and Guides
We published the award-winning map-guide to the Aqueduct in Westchester County, and a companion map-guide to the route of the Aqueduct in New York City. These maps are full of information about the history and construction of this engineering marvel, as well as detailed information about route detours and attractions along the route.
Reopening of the High Bridge
The Friends were involved in the planning, design and reopening of the High Bridge between the Bronx and Manhattan, as well as the High Bridge Water Tower and the High Bridge Steps.
Native Plant Restoration
The Friends commissioned a multi-year study of invasive plants along the trail and have removed more than 2 tons of weeds, and planted more than 500 native species.
Cedar and Main Steps
The Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct designed, raised funds, and implemented a complete rebuild of a dangerous section of the trail north of Cedar Street in Dobbs Ferry. The new steps are usable by strollers and bicyclists.
Wayfinding signs
The Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct commissioned these five informative, helpful signs to be put in places that have had walkers mystified. Places like the exit from Lyndhurst – smack on to Route 9 in Tarrytown, that has had walkers asking, “ Now what?”
Historic Wall Preservation
Volunteers and professional stonemasons restored crumbling walls along the trail south of the Croton Dam over a period of seven years. The project is ongoing.
