City of Beacon, New York

Due to my 2019 work assignment, I had the privilege of working out of Beacon, New York.  Located in the southern portion of Dutchess County, Beacon is a quaint city along the Hudson River that is rich in history.  The city itself has seen a minor revival in recent years, which is observed by all the recent construction and new condos and apartments that are going up, especially near the MTA Metro North Station.  Featuring a nice downtown area with many shops and stores as well as a decent waterfall.  Beacon is well worth the trip, and easily accessed from New York City thanks to the train and location.

Bowling Green

Today I found myself outside Bowling Green, the small park located in Manhattan (New York County.). This historic park is perhaps one of the oldest in the city and New York as well, and pictured above is the fence, which has famously surrounded the park since the 18th century.  Originally a cattle market in the 1600’s, the park became a center for later New Yorkers, and despite the financial district and capital of the world being built around it, it still maintains its old school charms.  A great example of how in New York we are literally surrounded by history.

La Festa di Santa Rosalia

A little late, but wanted to mention that The feast of Santa Rosalia was a success again this summer.  The 10 day festival that takes over 18th Avenue in Bensonhurst Brooklyn (Kings County) is a yearly tradition that celebrates the patrol saint of the Sicilian city of Palermo offers food, rides and games.  The feast also brings back many former residents to the area.  It’s always nice to see people continuing to enjoy the event and one that I hope they continue to do into the future.

Queens County Farm Museum

Queens County Farm Museum, located in Queens is an actual farm located inside the city of New York in the borough of Queens (Queens County).  What’s cool about this is it’s actually operated and you can buy directly from their Farm stand.  Further more, it’s a fun day for the family.  With lots of open space, it’s very child friendly, the admission is free and for a small price you can buy hay to feed the animals.  There are even pony rides and a petting zoo on the weekends.  (Priced separately).

This unique piece of history is a great way to spend some fun time, learn a little local history, let the kids run around and explore the grounds.  Don’t forget to support the farm stand for some locally grown veggies!

Buttermilk Falls State Park

Todays post takes place far from Smithtown or Bensonhurst, but still my beloved New York State.  While on a family trip upstate to visit Ithaca, we decided to stop by Buttermilk Falls State Park.  Located in Tompkins County, the city of Ithaca and surrounding area do not disappoint.  

 Buttermilk Falls was named for the frothy appearance of the water that it makes, and is just a really cool place to hangout.  The major waterfall is easily reachable and accessible from the parking lot, and is family friendly. There is also a really nicely kept playground for the kids located at the base of the main waterfall.  

There are several trails that go around and some in the upper park section even bring you up close with them.  Just keep that in mind if you have kids, the upper section is less child friendly.  However, if you can maintain a hawk like view and or keep them walking, it’s not impossible.  All in all, a win for a vacation spot, and who knows maybe I’ll come back again slmetim

Rest In Peace Pat Vecchio

Rest In Peace to former long time Smithtown Town Supervisor Pat Vecchio! 40 years in elected office, Pat was the longest serving town supervisor in New York State history.  Perhaps no one since Richard Smith himself has been as influential in Smithtowns development and successs as a town.  A former NYPD Officer, whose entire life was dedicated to service.  Smithtown was lucky to have you for all these years, you will be missed.  Thankfully you saw the town name townhall after you.

Caleb Smith State Park Hike and Museum

Some nice warm weather today allowed us to venture over to Caleb Smith State Park located in Smithtown in Suffolk County.  This park features trails and the Caleb Smith house and museum.  Hiking was a lot of fun with views of the Nissequogue River and Willow Pond (shown above).  What really amazes me is that the house and barn are extremely old but still standing!  The exhibits inside were very cool and also features a large play area for kids.

The State Park, named for Caleb Smith, a descendant of the founder of Smithtown is like living history as we see how the Smith Family had stayed in Smithtown for generations.  A fun place, and one I can’t wait to come back too again.

Smithtown Highway Department Out Early

Smithtown Highway Department is our sanding and salting early, showing us once again why they’re second to no one in New York!  Stay warm guys!

Heavy Air over Smithtown Main Street

Woke up to that feeling of Heavy air over Smithtown Main Street.  Sure enough, snow is in the forecast.  Get ready New York!!

Pine Cone Woods Park

      View from on top of the jungle gym looking out towards Garvey Drive

So an unusually warm February day today allowed us to venture to one of my favorite parks in Smithtown.  The park was packed full of other kids and parents, as a few weeks of cold temperatures has kept everyone locked up inside.

While this park is rather small, and a google search revealed little about its history, I’ve always liked it.  It has a decent sized parking lot when you pull in that puts you in front of Basketball courts and a handball wall.  Next to that is a baseball field that is complete with bleachers.  Finally the playground is a big draw.  A full jungle gym and swings.  What I like is that since they redid it, there are benches around the whole thing for parents so you can keep a watchful eye on the kids easily no matter where you’re sitting.  

All in all you can’t ask for much else from a smaller local park.  This particular park also has the nostalgia factor for me as well where as a small child I used to play and later in my 20’s some friends and I would come here to play Basketball.  A place I hope the youth of Smithtown will enjoy for years to come.

Winter Prospect Park Walk

Today I decided to check out Prospect Park located in Brooklyn (Kings County).   Even though I’ve lived in Brooklyn for nearly 4.5 years, I only came here once and it was for the zoo not the park itself.  Given the cold temperatures I was only able to explore a small portion of the park but from what I found I cannot wait to come back here in the spring and see more.  

What always amazes me about these areas is similar to Manhattans Central Park, these are large outdoor green areas located in the heart of city life.  Giving people an escape from the hustle and bustle of urban New York.  Looking forward to exploring more and posting about this park again. 

Columbus Park (Lower Manhattan/Chinatown area)

Columbus Park located in Manhattan (New York County) is one of the oldest parks in the City.  Named after the famous Italian explorer and a throwback to the once Italian neighborhood, the park is located on Mulberry Street and Baxter Street.  The park which now sits in Chinatown, is rather large and has playgrounds for the kids, a soccer field and an area for the many Asian residents to come and play card games or Mahjong.  If you arrive early enough you’ll find elderly Asians performing again Chi and frequent practice of martial arts is seen throughout the day.  The neighborhood in recent years has been slowly changing as rents increase and forces some of the older immigrants out, but a stroll through this park brings you back to a time when New York City was dominated by different immigrant groups and offers a nice open space in an otherwise crowded part of the city.  

Marine Park Salt Marsh Hike

Today I went for the first time to take a hike....in Brooklyn!  I was feeling energized after my after work nap and I headed out to Marine Park where I had read there was some trails through the Salt Marsh there.  I was impressed, the location and escape is literally in the middle of the Brooklyn neighborhood which carries the same name.  But as you enter and walk you feel yourself transported away from the chaos of Kings County behind you.  Featuring vast open fields, tall grass and a smell of salt water Marsh that reminded me so much of Short Beach in Smithtown, I was feeling at home.  I will definitely be looking up more outdoors style places in the coming months around New York.