Natural Sites: Memorial Park

If you are travelling up to the Hudson Valley, you should carve out some time to enjoy the river. The best place to do that in Nyack is Memorial Park. This 11-acre park has a ton of recreational areas, from a skate park and children’s playground to a splash pad and basketball court, as well as places to rest and simply enjoy the surroundings. Down by the waterfront there are picnic tables, benches, a gazebo and a large wooden viewing platform outfitted with telescopes for an up-close view of the nearby Tappan Zee Bridge. There is also a kayak launch for those wanting to get out on the water.

Our favorite part of the park was the blooming waterfront butterfly garden which was created by the Nyack Garden Club in 2001. For a real hidden gem, look for the black metal bench dedicated to Cynthia Hesdra, a 19th century entrepreneur and conductor on the Underground Railroad. The bench was dedicated in 2015 by the late author Toni Morrison. You can find a historical marker on Main Street near the Nyack Brook which explains how the brook and village were an important part of the Underground Railroad. Memorial Park is perfect for an active day with the whole family, or for a quiet moment alone at the edge of the river.