WINNAKEE NATURE PRESERVE
Winnakee Nature Preserve in Hyde Park, New York
Looking for the path less traveled? Winnakee Nature Preserve in Hyde Park is a community hidden treasure off Route 9 that quickly immerses visitors in a beautiful, historic 105-acre woodland. The Nature Preserve conserves part of the estate of Colonel Archibald Rogers, a neighbor and close friend of the Roosevelt family. It was on Rogers’ land where FDR learned about forestry and was imbued with a deep love of the land. The historic culverts, canals, and trails within the preserve are artifacts of Rogers’ 19th-century innovations in forest management. Some of the trees in the Nature Preserve date back from this period, while others are recent introductions. Winnakee established the site as an Educational Arboretum to inform visitors about the historic role this particular forest played in President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s environmental education; and to inspire an appreciation of its ecological value and beauty with over 36 species of native trees. The Nature Preserve’s 1.1 miles of four hiking trails are family friendly and take visitors along winding paths, wooden bridges, rolling hills and sections of moderately steep and rocky terrain, protected forever by Winnakee Land Trust and home to an array of wildlife.
Directions:
Just off Route 9 on Van Dam Road in Hyde Park, NY behind the Hyde Park Florist. This is the main entrance, the Arboretum tour starts here. (41.77877, -73.93044).
Another entrance with additional parking is on Terwilliger Road, Hyde Park (41.775270, -73.925879).