Scenery, History: Rockland's Free Guided Walks in May

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — Put on your walking shoes and enjoy the great outdoors during the fine weather. Join experienced Rockland County Trail Guides on free guided walks this spring, summer, and fall. Guided walks offer visitors varied terrain, great scenery, interesting discussion points, and different levels of walking.

There are three walks coming up in May, including two fitness hikes and a pleasant walk with both history and scenery attached.

Fitness Hike: Along the Esposito Rail Trail!
Saturday, May 6, 2017 from 10:00 am - 1:15 pm (approximately)

• Join Trail Guide Nice Mclean on this difficult, mostly flat, 7-mile round-trip walk along the Esposito Rail Trail to the restored Piermont Train Station used by the Erie Railroad in the 1870s. See the wonderful views of the Hudson River and the Tappan Zee Bridge. Throughout the walk the group will make four stops, for approximately 15 minutes each, and do a variety of exercises including taekwondo, balancing, focusing, and stretching. All of this done to music.
• Directions: Route 59 to Broadway in Nyack. Make a right and go south. Look for a gazebo before the South Nyack Police Station. For more information visit Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/SW2AbYcU6Fm. Street parking is available.
• Meet at the Gazebo on Broadway in Nyack near the Police Station/Village Hall.

Fitness Time on the Hook! at Hook Mountain State Park
Saturday, May 13, 2017 from 9:00 am (promptly) – 1:30 pm (approximately)

• Join Trail Guide Nice McLean as she leads you on this strenuous hike all the way up the mountain! Walkers will then proceed down to Nyack Beach and return to the Firehouse along the flat river trail. This is an approximately 8-mile, very difficult walk with some steep uphill walking. The hike will also include stops at four 'stations' for approximately ten minutes to do a variety of exercises including taekwondo, balancing, focusing, and stretching. All of this is done to music while in nature!
• Directions: From 9W North at Lake Road, make a right into Rockland Lake (North Entrance), stay to the left at the fork and pass the Knickerbocker Firehouse. You will see the parking area. For more information visit Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/ovamSvs5WNy.
• Meet in the parking lot by the Firehouse at Rockland Lake State Park in Congers. Parking is limited.

Rockland County Versus Big Oil! At Tallman Mountain State Park
Saturday, May 20, 2017 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

• Join Trail Guide Jack Bloom on moderate to easy, 3-mile walk, appropriate for youth and up, on a flat wide trail that offers glimpses of the Hudson River. The trail is packed earth and wide, with little incline. The walk is mostly flat and not rocky. It is along a road used for emergency vehicles. Walk through the history of Rockland County versus Big Oil. What REALLY happened at Tallman Mountain State Park? See if you can spot the evidence!
• Directions: Take the Palisades Parkway SOUTH to Exit 5S. Merge onto Route 303 South. Go into Tappan, make a LEFT onto Oak Tree Road. Continue on Oak Tree Road and pass Route 340 and over Palisades Parkway to light at Route 9W. Make a LEFT onto Route 9W. Go less than 1 mile, just past The Market. On the RIGHT is small, free parking lot. If you pass the Conference Center on left or the main entrance to the park on right, you've gone too far. From the North, the parking lot is approximately 1.5 miles past the main Tallman State Park entrance on the left. For more information visit Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/2DWTtjYe7fA2.
• Meet at the secondary lot, small south lot, on the east side of Route 9W in Sparkill. Going South on Route 9W, the road to the parking is a few hundred feet before The Market store. If you reach The Market, you have gone too far. Please note this is not the main parking lot and there is NO admission fee.

Important general information about the guided walks:

• Pre-registration for all walks is suggested (for some walks pre-registration is required). For more information or to register, call (845) 708-7307 or e-mail galionek@co.rockland.ny.us.
• Check http://bit.ly/2dSBvpx for more information, directions, and any changes to the schedule. Walks are held throughout the year - stay tuned by checking out the website periodically for updates.
• Meet in the parking lot, unless otherwise specified. All walks are rain or shine.
• Hiking boots are recommended, or else closed-toe shoes with sturdy soles. Wear light-colored clothing and dress for the weather (bring a jacket, hat, and rain gear as needed). Bring snacks and plenty of water, bug spray, sunscreen, binoculars, and a walking stick if you would like.
• Unless otherwise specified, these walks are not stroller-friendly, dogs are not allowed, and there are no rest rooms available.
• As with any physical activity program, it is recommended you speak to your physician before starting.
• All guided walks are coordinated and supported in partnership with the Rockland County Division of Environmental Resources, the Rockland County Youth Bureau's Conservation and Service Corps program, and the Rockland County Department of Health.