Date visited: 10/30/2022

This park used to be a summer resort area in the late 1800's called Starin's resort, named after John H Starin, a US Congressmen. It was supposedly the first theme park in the country. Some remants of the old park remain, including the castle. The Glen Island casino is still on the island. We walked across a draw bridge to access the park. There is an easy paved trail that circles the park, and offers nice views. The beach is closed and inaccessible during the off-season. There were signs indicating the park was for Westchester County residents only, but I'm pretty sure that doesn't apply in the off-season. Be aware, during the off-season, all rest rooms are closed. The park is big enough, and there are enough visitors that there at least should be some port-a-potties open. Despite that, it was a fun walk on a beautiful autumn afternoon.

More Images

Date visited: 2/3/2024

This scenic park was the third and final stop for us on this very busy day. The park is open only to New Rochelle residents during the summer months (Memorial Day to Columbus Day), but the general public is welcome in the off-season. There's a 1.5 mile loop trail that covers Oakwood Island, and two smaller islands, Big and Little Harrison islands. The other two islands are tiny, and there is no access unless you have a boat. There are also picnic areas and playgrounds, and a few fishing docks.

More Images

Date visited: 11/11/2023

This was mainly a loop trail around one of the reservoirs. The section of the trail that runs along side the Hutchinson River Parkway is in New Rochelle, but most of the loop is in Eastchester. The pictures from the New Rochelle section are below. You can read more about our trip, and see the rest of the photos on the Eastchester page.

Date visited: 11/3/2026

This park consists mostly of open grassy areas, with some trees near the road and great views of Long Island Sound. We walked around the perimeter of the park and spent some time taking photos on the rocks. There is a small beach area, but a sign indicated that it was a "restricted area." It wasn't clear whether the restriction applied to the portion of the beach on park property or the private property next door. The combination of fall foliage and waterfront views made this an especially scenic stop. The park is dog friendly, and dogs must be leashed. After exploring the park, we walked down the road because I spotted a neat Halloween display that I wanted to photograph. Along the way, we passed the Surf Club on the Sound, a private club occupying the property next to the park. The gates were open, so I couldn't resist stepping inside to take a few photos of the dogs in front of the elaborate fountains.

More Images

Date visited: 11/3/2026

The Larchmont Reservoir, officially known as the Larchmont Reservoir-James G. Johnson Jr. Conservancy, is a 60-acre nature preserve spanning the boundary between New Rochelle and Mamaroneck. Although all but 12.6 acres of the property are located in New Rochelle, it is owned by the Village of Larchmont. Formerly a municipal water supply, the area has since been preserved as a wildlife sanctuary and nature study area. It features two bodies of water, Sheldrake Lake (also known as Larchmont Reservoir) and the smaller Goodliffe Pond, along with sections of the Sheldrake River. A network of wooded trails connects the different areas, passing through a variety of landscapes that include mature forests, open meadows, wetlands and marshy areas. Wooden boardwalks cross some of the wetter sections, providing additional opportunities to enjoy the scenery and observe the surrounding natural habitat. Several named trails traverse the property, including the Upper Trail along Sheldrake Lake, the Leddy Trail around Goodliffe Pond, and portions of the Colonial Greenway. There are also two dams, scenic water views and an observation boardwalk. The trails are open to the public from dawn until dusk, and leashed dogs are welcome. The area was especially scenic during our visit, with vibrant fall foliage. I absolutely love the reflections of the brightly colored trees in the water. The trails were generally pretty easy, and this was a very enjoyable walk. The photos below are from the New Rochelle section of the property. Be sure to check out the Mamaroneck page for more photos from the Larchmont Reservoir.

More Images