Bonus: Van Cortlandt Park Hosts a Raptor Fest and Other Unique Events
Not only is the park home to more typical events, such as football games, cross country meets, and organized trail hikes, but it also hosts many events for more specialized interests. For instance, each fall the park puts on an annual Raptor Fest to teach nearby residents and nature lovers about the birds of prey one might encounter on a walk through the park. It is presented by the Urban Park Rangers and is free and open to the public. The park also used to be home to an area called the “Gaelic Grounds” that hosted hurling games for the many New York-area teams. Some of the teams’ players even went on to play for the American national team in international competition against the Irish. Today the area is known as Gaelic Park and has hosted Gaelic football games there for over a half-century.
Next, check out the Top 10 Secrets of Central Park and check out the 5 parks larger than Central Park.