With this relatively mild winter we are experiencing, my family has taken advantage of the great outdoors weekly across Westchester County. Recently, we followed our own advice for top picks for free family fun and attended the Fireside Storytime at Cranberry Lake Preserve located in West Harrison, just a stone’s throw from White Plains. A friendly and animated Westchester County Parks ranger held a large audience of little people captive with multiple story books featuring the types of characters we might encounter in the nearby woods, like a bear on the search for a sandwich and a mouse that couldn’t find its family! We sat around the campfire ring on fallen logs and stumps taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of both community and nature.
Following the trailside read aloud (well, kind of, following, - my preschooler ran off to climb rocks towards the end and his ever-impetuous baby sister bravely, and quickly! followed) we embarked on what we intended to be a nature stroll and ended up on more of a scenic hike. I’m not sure why the preschooler was leading. The adults were chatting and preoccupied and for once in my life I had not brought snacks or water! Regardless, we found out there are options for trails and you should watch the markers and choose one trail to stay on. We also found fellow lost hikers, so perhaps the trails are tricky? Service is available and helpful for finding your way again. We were not turned around for long and could easily find our bearings by the sounds of voices of other hikers, as well as by the views of the lake. But, I do recommend caution and to at least glance at the trail map before you wander about in the woods. The longest trail (red) is only 2.4 miles so you can’t get too lost, really. The shortest loop is 1 mile (blue) and there are two other trails with mid-distances.
The water views are very pretty and there are lots of opportunities for kids to climb rocks. While the trail is lovely, and is well marked, it is not as wide or maintained as other parks department parks. This is no criticism - it’s just a different type of hike that requires a bit more attention and some areas do flood. Children will truly enjoy it and it’s a beautiful morning out.
Good to know:
-The trails are not stroller friendly. Wear a carrier if you’ve got a babe, but be cautious of the twists, turns, and elevation.
-Family friendly programming is offered year-round on weekends at the Nature Center, such as the Fireside Stories.
-Monday through Friday you can go inside the nature center for interactive displays and animals.
-Picnic benches are available near the Nature Center and parking lot, as well as a portable potty.
-Free parking
-Look for the bird observation spot!
