Van Cortland Park is massive. Massively filled with stuff to do. Massively stuffed with history. I don't even know where to begin! I run here often. You can run along the trails up in the hills, you can run on the new path around the massive fields, or you can run at the proper 400 meter track right at the 242nd Street Subway stop (terminus of the 1 line). You can also run along the old Putnam railway line, which will take you up into Tibbett's Brook Park in Yonkers. You'll see remnants of old railway stations. (The tracks have been removed. These were the same tracks that ran nestled between the Deegan and the back of all the stores along Broadway. You can still see some Putnam line track diverging from the Metro-North tracks behind the Target at 225th St.). All of these trails also double as nature walks. You can play tennis or handball at the courts located right outside the stadium where the track is. There are always spirited matches going on. You can get horseback riding lessons at the stable. You may also have to dodge horse flops as you run on aforementioned trails in the hills. How's that for cross training!? You can stop by the Old Van Cortland House for some history of the park and the Bronx, and the region in general. You can also bring your youngins to the Urban Ecology Center right next door. The Van Cortland family cemetery, located on Vault Hill (up in the trails again) can also be seen and visited, although due to vandalization, there isn't much to see. You can play golf at the first public golf course in the nation, which I hear just went thru massive renovations, although I'm sure most true golf enthusiasts would turn their noses up at a public course anyway. The old golf house also offers some history of the park. Right behind the Golf House is a large pond with ducks, swans and turtles. You can take a dip at the public pool, although it looks like it gets overcrowded WAAYY too fast and becomes a HOT MESS. I'd skip the public pool. Many people BBQ right outside of the pool and that also becomes a HOT MESS. You should see the heaps of garbage left behind after a sunny memorial Day or Labor Day weekend. You can attend one of the many events held out on the fields during the summer, like a philharmonic, or a movie screening. They also have musical performances in this small clearing behind the horse stables. I saw a small jazz ensemble there once. You can also watch the Irish/South American guys play soccer, various baseball/softball games, and you can watch the Caribbean guys playing Cricket in their crisp white uniforms. Or you can get trampled by the Manhattan College Cross Country Runners, or the Van Cortland Track Club if you aren't paying attention while on the trails and tracks! Lots going on here! Its MASSIVE! Take a day and check it out! Those of us who live in the area and utilize this park often are super grateful for it!!! read more

When I used to live near Van Cortlandt Park South, I would go bike-riding along the trails. But most of the time, I would go jogging here in summer mornings and afternoons as a way to keep fit. When I started competitively running in college, I ran my first cross-country race here. It gives me chills to this day, remembering the adrenaline and all that pee I held in my bladder from all the hydrating. Interestingly enough, this place has a lot to offer. There is the track for sprints, long jumps, and touch-football and soccer in the middle. Beyond that are the cross-country trails and the sweeping view of trees and hills. Many a day was spent here practicing for cross-country competitions, and a memorable experience was when, one morning, it started pouring. We just kept on practicing, and it probably even made us all run faster. Soaked from head to toe, it didn't matter if you had clothes on or not, you were swimming from mudslide to mudslide. And this was all done in the infamous back hills that, as hard to run as they look, so much fun when all is said and done (or bled). One time, for a botany class I took in undergrad, our professor took us to a swamp here to observe how much oxygen water-dwelling plants produced. That in itself was a memorable experience-- seeing your professor go into the pond. There is also a functioning horse stable as well as a golf course and even a dog playground. I hope the preservation of this wonderful park is not overlooked. read more

In NYC its tough to find wide open land. Well the bronx struck gold with this one. Its size is only rivaled by Central Park's great lawn. Except in the bronx there are not as many people tanning or reading books on the fields. You can let your dog run around for what feels like miles. There's a track for running and plenty of room for football! read more

Van Cortlandt Park is Pelham Bay Park's sister park, only this sister is the more athletic one. Compared to its East Bronx relative, Van Cortlandt has much more to do in terms of recreation, especially in the colder months. The ice skating rink which recently opened is a great addition to the borough and provides a winter activity besides hopping over snow piles to get to buses. The rink is small, but affordable-- Maybe I'll tackle it in a separate review. The park also offers numerous hiking trails, a cool lake, a golf course, abandoned rail infrastructure, a running track the size of a small city, a pool, and countless other fun things to do. It tends to be cleaner than Pelham Bay as well because it's not as accessible, especially from the East. While Pelham Bay's salty marshes and beaches will always be my home, I consider Van Cortlandt my rural winter retreat. read more

Definitely a nice park to walk through! It's a very big park with many trails, and there's a small visitor center where you can pick up a map. I wish the trails were marked though, and there's a significant lack of water fountains throughout the park as well. Not a bad place to walk around, play sports (there's even a cricket field!), and have a BBQ. It's right next to the 1 subway too, so it's pretty easy to get to! read more

This was my first time in this park and I had a great time. I came with a meetup group on a hiking trail with one of the park rangers. The hike lasted about two hours and the ranger gave an educational tour of the park, birds, leaves etc.. The hike started out easy but became a bit challenging a few times but nothing crazy. They have a huge running track that was crowded. We learned it was the third largest park in NYC and was larger than central park. I plan on checking out NYC parks dept website to attend some other free hike excursions in our city parks. read more

Many interesting adventures and misadventures have taken lace in this very park for me. From the fun and unique to the downright scary and gritty, Van Cortlandt Park, for better or worse, has been a destination for many years I could easily commute to. There is a lot of space here, open grass, playing fields, swings and slides, that mosquito infested pond, and innumerable hideaways where they really should put more lights up. Nevertheless, a good park to enjoy yourself, any time. read more

What a picture of peace. This 1,146 acre park is the 3rd largest park in the city of New York, the home to the oldest house in the Bronx, and has the first public golf course. To get there, take the 1,9 subway up from Manahattan to the last stop. When you descend from the subway, you instantly enter the park. There is a huge track used by many excellent runners, probably athletes from Manhattan College nearby. read more

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The only experience I had in this park was seeing Casablanca at Indian Field....and it was fricken great! The turnout was really low because there was a threat of a thunder storm (that never came to be). Aside from watching a movie at night in a big open field (not to mention the yummy picnic we brought), the best thing about the experience was the people running the event. The woman who organized it had the greatest vibe. She was so friendly and cool and accommodating. Her assistant (I presume) was also so cool and had her awesome kids with her to help. I thought it was extraordinary that they all put so much work into showing a movie to 4 or 5 people. I doubt they would've changed a thing for a larger crowd. I didn't get to see much of the rest of the park...but I have every intention of checking out what it has to offer before the summer ends. *sniffle* read more

Definitely a rocking park. It has transformed over the years into a safer, prettier park. There are cool hills and rocks to climb and wooded areas. Of course this park really stands out because of the vastness of fields and flat land. read more

This place is an oasis in the Bronx! wonderfully peaceful! The trails are quiet even though they are filled with bikers and runners. I think anyone who is up in the Bronx should give this park a visit! read more

I am specifically reviewing Van Cortlandt Park's Putnam Trail- Although the trail is a 1.5 mile ride through beautiful woodlands, past golf courses, lakes and streams, it was a frustrating one. After reading literature about the park, I rode over to the park expecting a long, leisurely ride on Putnam Trail. The trail is labeled by the NYC Parks Department as a bike trail: Frustration 1: The paths are narrow, barely allowing foot traffic to pass by each other, let alone bikes negotiating the lane. Frustration 2: The Putnam Trail is unpaved. On the morning I was using the trail, it was full of mud pits, dangerous tree roots and downed foliage from the previous night's rain storm. A woman walking along the path stop me to say that "they" do not want the trail paved which would make it harder to bike but friendlier to runners and walkers. Frustration 3: The Putnam Trail was filled with joggers and walkers. I came quickly to the conclusion it is essentially used as a running/walking path. I found myself stopping repeatedly for foot traffic. I did appreciate the feeling I had when I was on the bike trail that I was truly out in nature. But the narrowness of the path, the heavy foot traffic and uneven dirt/mud lanes made it very hard to relax and enjoy the ride. However, the Putnam Trail runs into Westchester County where the path becomes mysteriously paved and widened. The luck of ending up on this portion of the trail made the trip worthwhile. The Westchester portion is truly pleasant for a biker and beautiful. So, for other bikers: You've been forewarned. To the NYC Parks Department: Either widen and pave the Putnam Trail or be truthful and identify it as a foot path. read more

This park is huge. I used to run cross country here and it was definitely like running in what feels like out of state. This place doesn't feel like the other city parks. It is probably second in size to Central Park. Come here for a great day with the family. I've only explored part of the park, but it is always well kept and on the days it is sunny, it is absolutely gorgeous. Huge open fields and soccer nets. Also plenty of chairs and places to sit and enjoy. read more

So much to do in this wonderful urban oasis! The Van Cortlandt Park Stadium is great for Track Runs, while the Parade Ground is our favorite for longer runs. Don't miss the walking trails - The Putnam Trail is the straighter one, and takes you all the way to the Yonkers border. The Putnam Trail is great for a quick bike ride. The Tennis Courts never have a line; not the case of the Pool, which is pretty hectic during the summer. The south-west section of the park gets very busy with BBQers making the environment very lively; however, garbage accumulates pretty quickly in this area. This is a wonderful park! read more

Been there hundreds of times! I love Van Cortlandt park. Perfect place to spend time in nature and relax. Also great for biking and all sorts of sports that you can play there read more

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A great places to do nature walks, you can fish in the pond, accommodates all sports cricket, tennis, joggers, cyclist, baseball, basketball, soccer, even an out of this world golf course. I Love going to the pool with my kids during the summer. My birth day past last month and I did not want to do anything, I took the day off from work and spent in Vancourt landt park, lived here all my life and I found something different on this day. Stop by for a day and explore my little piece of nature in the bronx. read more

Van Cortlandt Park - Parks Near Me - Bronx, New York

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For the past 10 years I had been going to Van Cortlandt Park every spring & summer. Everyone around the area are super friendly. I usually go for a walk on the hiking trails. read more

This park is for sure one of the best park in Westchester County! Almost anyone will find something to do here. You can jog, seat and watch nature, play ball games, or just smell nature. Even your dog will find friends here. When? Early in the morning, the earliest the better. For me, any morning by the beach, in the park or simply surrounded by nature is a blessed morning. But don't get me wrong, this park is great any time of the day, any time of the year. If you are like me, who can find beauty in any season, you can also come here whenever you can. I used to live closer, so I used to start 3 morning every week here. I moved north a little, but still find time to visit. This place is a gift! read more

Good place to jog when the weather is nice. You will see people having picnics, barbecuing, playing soccer and people bicycling. They also have a tennis court, basketball court and swimming pool. read more

Van Cortlandt Park - The park - Parks Near Me - Bronx, New York

One of those great parks of NYC that doesn't get much press because it's not in Manhattan or North Brooklyn. Every New Yorker should come visit here at least once. I completely understand why high school cross country has meets here. read more

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Just finished filming some of the great parts of the park and realized there is some much more footage needed, I have to go out tomorrow and get more footage to make-do and give this park its well-deserved justice. I have so much exciting memories here with my junior high school friends. Back in the early 80s when there were no curved pointed fences to deter you from climbing over and catching a quick dip. The pool was a cooling spot for secret lovers and derelict groups, like them I myself wanted to have a good time night-swimming and one night we decided to start diving from the lifeguard's chair which was very stupid and risky on my part as I had scrapped my nose for not immediately pulling up in when I smacked into the water. Then some nights we would get chased by the cops only to go back later. Yes, now we are mature and grown and cannot do those unlawful things, but you have to have been there to appreciate it we meant no harm just wanted to have fun night swimming. Which was actually a very old derelict custom in our neighborhood of Marble Hill and other adjacent surrounding blocks as it was customary to jump from C Rock into the Hudson River. I love this Park. read more

Van Cortlandt Park is a TREASURE. Seriously. I don't even know where to begin. I'll start by saying that the other four boroughs should be jealous that they don't have a park as awesome as this. You can walk around in here until you can't hear any sounds of civilization except for maybe a plane flying overhead. Go for a picnic, take your dog to the dog run, play some baseball, or football, or whatever kind of ball game you want (I swear I saw some dudes playing cricket here once), catch some sketchy fish, ride a horse, or just go hug some trees. It's all there, waiting for you, and in New York City. read more

This park is great. There is a biking and walking/running trail/track going around the park. If you are tired, lie down on the grass surrounded by trees and enjoy the sun. A nice bathroom is available. The elevated (1) train stop at 242nd Street on the western side and the elevated (4) train at Woodlawn is on the eastern side. Old abandoned railway line you can follow all the way into Westchester County. It is a very nice park. read more

I have a love/hate relationship with Van Cortlandt park. I love that there are a few great tracks for running, but hate it because it's still difficult for me, especially with all the hills. It's also no longer convenient for me to come here, but once I'm here it's a great workout. read more

Great place to go run!!! The track is nice and the turf on the football field is great! It's open at all times of the day and no one bothers you during your run!!! I love this place!! I go there all the time!!! read more

The 1,146-acre of Van Cortlandt Park include beautiful trails and a destination for huge cross-country races. Grab the 1 all the way to the end and enjoy yourself. read more

Running track, handball courts, paved bicycle and walking trails. Dirt trails also. horse stable, golf course. Get this, one of the dirt trails is considered what remains of the old Putnam train line. Are you ready for this? If you take this trail North it continues into the next county of Westchester. In Westchester the trail becomes paved and is said to continue on all the way to Brewster New York. I've made it as far as Sleepy Hollow but ran out of daylight so had to turn back. What I found interesting was that if you look off to the side of the trail you can, in some places, see remnants of the old Putnam train line rails. read more

Van Cortland Park is one of New York City's public park gems. It is intensely used by many different ethnic groups for many different sports, and yet there are still remote areas that feel like you are in the country side. Horse trails, cross-country running trails, long linear paths (Putnam and Aqueduct) that go for miles and miles up to Westchester can be accessed from multiple train lines. Lakes and golf courses and an old cemetery round it out. read more

This park was ruined for me when I saw an adult man whip it out in broad daylight as if the grass was his urinal. He was near the rest room, but perhaps he had an exhibitionist streak. Anyway, the park is always crowded and I don't find it too serene. Instead, I prefer walking through the trails that overlook the Hudson River in Riverdale (next to Wave Hill). read more

Not only is it beautiful but you can hike, ice skate, horse back ride, and do so many things at the park. During the spring the flowers bloom and the beauty leaves you speechless. read more

A wonderful place to take a nice stroll in the woods within NYC!

Me and my boyfriend went to the new ice skating rink that just opened up at this park. Overall it was a great experience. Employees were all kind and professional. We got our skates an hit the ice. It was a bit bumpy in the beginning, but that was because we came right before the went through it to smooth it out. Once they did, it was great. We had a great time. 1 1/2 was more than enough for us, due to the ice skates that started hurting us. Great new ice skating rink. read more

It's a beautiful park for trail running or sprinting all different activities the park is well-kept

Nice park, loads of space. Lots of toddlers but the older kids come later in the day. Most are very careful with the little ones but some you have to watch out for. Most of the people are very nice. The park is in a mostly Irish neighborhood. But there will be times were you will get a "what are you doing here?" look and hear them talking about you. Some have even gone so far as to pull their kids away from kids of color. So sad but like I said most are very nice so don't let a few bad apples ruin the bunch. There's picnic tables there too so bring lunch and plan to stay a while, the kids never want to leave read more

Van Cortlandt Park its a great environment to be around with friends and family. Theres a area for kids to play and enjoy.

ICE SKATING RINK Van Cortlandt ice skating rink lessons are a complete ripoff. We signed up 4 kids for 4 lessons to the tune of almost $100 each. The rink scheduled lessons during the NYC public school break (hence we will miss one of four lessons due to a previously scheduled vacation) and when 2 different families pointed out that we were NOT told that at the time we signed up, the manager got a huge attitide. Then, the day before the class was to start they changed the time of the class, and again when this conflicted with something else, the Manager said rudely that their website clearly states "class time subject to change". Finally, the biggest insult - one of our kids had that awful stomach bug so we didnt bring him. When we asked the manager for a make up for him she said he would need a doctors note "otherwise everyone dwould just miss classes and try to reschedule". My husband pointed out that our other children were there, and that with missing the other class due to the poorly scheduled vacation class our son would now be at only 2 classes for $100. The manager was incredibly nasty and shrugged. No offer of free skate passes, etc, anything for simply NICE customer service. The kid has a stomach virus, and sitting him in a drs office and paying a $35 copay is unfair to both him and the other kids in the waiting room, totally uneccessary, and hence we feel like the rink is punishing us for being responsible enough to not bring a sick kid to lessons! Murrays ice skating rink in Yonkers or Chelsea Piers are not only better facilities, they are lovely to work with, super accomodating, and sooo worth the trip. NEVER again will we do lessons at Van Cortlandt ice rink- the manager is totally unprofessional and nasty, and having done lessons of all kinds throughout the city with our kids (from martial arts, to gymnastics, to art classes) this is the only time we have ever encountered such terrible customer service (i would like to point out that this refers to the management of the rink, the teachers themselves are young and fun and lovely). Big thumbs down to the management of Van Cortlandt ice rink and its ice skating lessons. BUYER BEWARE. read more

Best place to relax and spend a day or even night at VC. Pool is open for the public. Wouldn't recommend but it's offered. The lake and the beautiful greenery read more

Van Cortlandt Park is the ultimate workout. A year before I started exercising there, I took a Bally's membership, went three times and never came back. At the time, I ballooned up to 208lbs. Around July 09, I started a crash exercise program. I discovered Van Cortlandt in August and went from long power walks to jogging the 3.1 mile trail by December. I lost 30 lbs and it was the best thing I could have ever done! Overall the park has a 1.42 mile flat trail for joggers and walkers and if you're ambitious, try the 3.1 mile cross country trail inside the woods. New ball fields and sod are in the process of being installed. From a personal benefit, the park is a five star success! The park could be kept up more often. Just as I reached my goal, we had three bad storms, so the terrain was impossible for walking and jogging. I'm hoping to get back out there once the weather warms up. We just had a bad fourth storm with heavy rain and winds. Despite some setback by mother nature, I will be back! read more

Very small house here called Van Cortlandt manor. Self guided tour isn't so bad. I enjoyed my time here

One of the best parks in NYC! Love bringing my dog's here. Great history about the park and many things to do. If you want to escape NYC life for a few hours go hiking! read more