Current and Upcoming Events

Co-hosted by the Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct, the NY-NJ Trail Conference’s Invasives Strike Force & the Town of Cortlandt, join our team to manage tick-harboring barberry bushes and other invasive plants along a section of the Old Croton Aqueduct that crosses Quaker Bridge Road in Croton-on-Hudson.

Parking on the west side of Quaker Bridge Road in Croton on Hudson between houses #99 and #124. Look for Volunteers Park Here signs.

After a year layoff, head to the Yonkers downtown for the return of Riverfest. This annual party brings the community together with something for everyone! This carnival/music festival atmosphere has music and food by the plenty and games and fun for all ages! Stop by the OCA/FOCA informational table and say hi! For full days program, visit: https://yonkersdowntown.com/yonkers-riverfest/

Location: Yonkers Waterfront | Free | Ages: All Ages

Join Wild Woods Restoration Project, NY-NJ Trail Conference’s Invasives Strike Force and the Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct in restoring the forest habitat by planting native species on the trail in areas where invasive plants have been removed. Wild Woods will provide the plants and lead us in this multi-year effort.

Parking: On Quaker Bridge Road in Croton between houses #99 and #124. Look for Volunteers Park Here signs

Special instructions: Wear long pants, sturdy shoes, long sleeved shirt; no experience necessary, tools and gloves provided.

Uncover hidden clues to the Aqueduct in Central Park and discover links between the aqueduct's presence and the park's design. Meet in front of the Central Park Tennis House in Central Park. From the southeast corner of 96th St. and Central Park West, walk east in the park until you see the tennis courts on your left. Walk around the tennis courts to the tennis house. (Locate the tennis house on Google Maps.) We will end the walk at Central Park West and W. 81st Street. Public restrooms are available at the beginning and end of the walk.

For this two-hour walk, wear comfortable shoes and bring water.

Required: pre-registration (limited number). Walk will be cancelled if weather does not cooperate.

The NY Department of transportation is holding two public workshops to discuss efforts to improve safety along Route 9 in Westchester.

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) is conducting preliminary engineering activities for the U.S. Route 9 Complete Streets project. This involves preparing an environmental report with project recommendations. The report will include a preferred design that would enhance safety and improve pedestrian and bicycle facilities along U.S. Route 9. The project limits are from Pierson Avenue in the Town of Mount Pleasant, Village of Sleepy Hollow, to Tompkins Avenue in the Town of Greenburgh, Village of Hastings-on- Hudson. Project Area Join us at either of these identical workshops starting at 6 p.m. to actively participate in group exercises and provide input and ideas. The project team will present the reasonable alternatives that have been evaluated.

Tarrytown Senior Center
240 W Main St
Tarrytown, NY 10591

Identical information will be presented at each workshop.

For More Information:
Jenny Baez, P.E., PTOE
NYSDOT Project Manager
Jenny.Baez@dot.ny.gov
(845) 431-5857

Lawton Ave., Yonkers to Fordham Road

Approximately 4 miles, 3 hours

These walks are a continuation of our very popular 26 Mile Challenge and are geared for people who want to earn their 41-Mile Patch and Certificate. For these walks, we will cover the 15 miles from the northern border of the Bronx to 42nd Street and Fifth Ave. in 3 segments. If you have already completed the 26 miles of the OCA in Westchester, at the end of these walks you will be eligible for the 41-Mile Patch and Certificate awarded by The Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct. If you are aiming for your patch, please sign up for all 3 walks as they are published on the website to avoid disappointment.

Walks will be held on alternating Sundays as follows: 9/22, 10/6 and 10/20. In the event of inclement weather, alternate dates will be offered.

Walk 1 details: We will walk from the northern end of Van Cortlandt Park to Fordham Road stopping at the Jerome Park Reservoir. Meet at Lawton Street. and the Old Croton Aqueduct in Yonkers (GPS coordinates 40°54'37.0"N 73°52'52.8"W). Street parking available.
Public transportation: W4 and W20 bus to McLean Ave. Bathrooms available along the route. Return via IRT #4 to Woodlawn and W4 bus to McLean Ave.
Important Note: These are one-way walks. Plan accordingly if you will need to return to your starting point.

Join us!

After an 8-year hiatus and for the first time since the opening of the Keeper’s House in Dobbs Ferry, the Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct are ecstatic to bring back their favorite community party, Aquefest! Come out to the Keeper’s House to celebrate the 100th anniversary of New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation with puppets, a petting farm, bluegrass music, art adventures and more! Full schedule below!

The Keeper's House is at 15 Walnut Street, Dobbs Ferry. Free and for all ages! Bring a blanket and water bottle. Walnut Street will be Closed. Street Parking is Limited. We encourage walking, jogging, strolling, biking, dog walking...it’s all on the trail!

11:00 AM-4:00 PM | Location: Keeper’s House, Dobbs Ferry | Free | Ages: All Ages

AQUEFEST PROGRAM & HIGHLIGHTS!

11:00 Subomi, the African Storyteller, opens Aquefest with Water (Omi) is the Soul of LIFE
11:30 Indie Kids Music with Jess & Aaron!
12:00 Goat on a Boat Puppet Truck presents “The Doubtful Sprout.” Tunnel down with Worm and Sprout as they discover the mysterious life underground.
12-2 Barnyard Petting Farm! Visit with goats, sheep, bunnies and more.
1:00 Happy 100th Birthday New York State Parks! Singalong and cake.
1:30 The Rivertown Ramblers bluegrass hootananny!
3:00 Greetings from Anywhere, Dobbs Ferry’s own roots rock band.

All Day

Visit our OCA-Partners for updates on our waterways, trails, pollinator gardens, cycling, running, bricks, oysters and more!

Riverkeeper • Haverstraw Brick Museum • City Island Oyster Reef Westchester Land Trust • Lenoir Preserve • Rivertown Runners Rivertown Pollinator Pathways • Groundwork Hudson Valley Westchester Trails Association

• Make a puppet at the Goat On A Boat Puppet Truck
• Dig in the OCA Pollinator Garden with Rivertown Pollinator Pathways
• Dabble in Walnut Ink Painting with Scribble Art Workshop
• Build An Aqueduct with The Maker Hive of Hastings
• Know Your Bricks with the Haverstraw Brick Museum
• Discover the power of oysters with City Island Oyster Reef
• Follow the Aqueduct Story Walk along the trail
• Leave your mark on the NYS Parks 100th Birthday Banner
• Float a rubber duckie down the AqueDuck Water Flume
• Color a Giant Paint-by-Numbers Landscape with Jennifer Moore Smith
• Doggie Treats & Services at the Westchester Wags tent
• Build and crawl in the Kids Brick and Tunnel Zone
• Take a selfie by the big OCA on the barn!

Food Court

Bloomy Cheese & Provisions and more! Stay tuned!

Fun for All Ages! Bring a blanket and your water bottle.
Walnut Street will be Closed • Street Parking is Limited.
We encourage walking, jogging, strolling, biking, dog walking...it’s all on the trail!

Fordham Road to West 125th Street

Approximately 4.7 miles, 4 hours

These walks are a continuation of our very popular 26 Mile Challenge and are geared for people who want to earn their 41-Mile Patch and Certificate. For these walks, we will cover the 15 miles of the OCA route in NYC in 3 segments. If you have already completed the 26 miles of the OCA in Westchester, at the end of these walks you will be eligible for the 41-Mile Patch and Certificate awarded by The Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct.

In the event of inclement weather, alternate dates will be offered.

Walk 2 details: Meet at Fordham Road & Aqueduct Walk. We will walk to West 125th Street & Amsterdam Ave. Street very parking limited at Fordham Rd.
Public transportation: From Westchester, take Metro North to University Heights. Walk or take Bx12 bus to Aqueduct Walk. From NYC locations: IRT#4 or B/D train to Fordham Rd. Bathrooms available along the route. IRT#1 and A/C/B/D trains available at end of walk.
Important Note: These are one-way walks. Plan accordingly if you will need to return to your starting point.

As part of Path through History Weekend, enjoy a free, easy, 2 miles/2 hours (total) loop hike north along the Aqueduct and atop the beautiful Croton Dam. Meet near the restrooms at the rear (south end) of the parking lot at Croton Gorge Park, Rte. 129, Cortlandt, NY. 10567, GPS Coordinates: 41°13′ 20.46” N -73°51′12.59” W. The leader of the hike will discuss the history and construction of the Old Croton Aqueduct and the features of the Croton Dam, the trailhead of the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail. The Aqueduct was completed in 1842 to supply fresh water to a thirsty New York City. (From Metro-North Hudson Line Croton-Harmon Train Station: 15-minute taxi.)