Van Cortlandt Park

I was surprised by how big this place was. There is plenty of space for various recreational activities.
–Near the subway station, there is an area where the signs said no BBQs, but there was loads of people with their grills out BBQing. I guess no one cares.
–There are several baseball fields, several soccer fields, a public pool, a running track and just large empty fields in general for playing whatever you want. It was pretty empty too the last time I was here.
–As you go north past the soccer fields, there is a wooded area with a hiking trail. Not a very challenging hike at all, but a good walk to make you feel like you have escaped the city.
For NYC parks, this place definitely ranks right behind Central Park and Prospect Park.

Van Cortlandt Park, founded in the late 1800’s, is named for a once prominent NY family (the Van Cortlandt House of 1748 is still contained within the Park), and is one of the City’s largest parks and by far the biggest in the Bronx. Easily reached from Manhattan via the #1 subway whose elevated terminal stop at 242^nd Street deposits riders at the south west corner of the Park (the eastside IRT #4 stops near the Park’s other side), Van Cortlandt draws high school students from through-​out the City whose after school athletic teams use its extensive playing fields. In addition to sports fields, including setups for cricket, soccer and baseball and well regarding cross county tracks, it has a seasonal public swimming pool, the nation’s first public golf course, and acres of woods. Van Cortlandt Park lacks the coherence or tourist appeal of rivals such as Manhattan’s Central Park or Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, but it nonetheless provides vital services not only to secondary and post-​secondary athletes who visit, but also to many local residents who frequent its precincts, particularly in better weather, whether to engage in athletics, relax or picnic.

What a gem in the Bronx!
I’ve lived in the Bronx all my life, 31 years, and I am continually surprised at how much I don’t really know about my borough. I’ve visited Van Cortlandt Park on multiple occasions in the past and sort of knew about the trails. I’ve recently taken up walking for 1 to 2 hours a day and I decided to give the trails a try.
They are spectacular! The cross-​country trail runs approximately the length of a 5K but you can incorporate the other trails and walk easily 5 to 6 miles. Each of my visits allows me to achieve 10,000 steps and work towards my goal of 15K to 20K steps a day
This park has become a part of my daily routine and I’m so happy that I discovered it’s in my own back yard.

Best place to relax and spend a day or even night at VC. Pool is open for the public. Wouldn’t recommend but it’s offered. The lake and the beautiful greenery

This park is for sure one of the best park in Westchester County!
Almost anyone will find something to do here. You can jog, seat and watch nature, play ball games, or just smell nature. Even your dog will find friends here.
When? Early in the morning, the earliest the better. For me, any morning by the beach, in the park or simply surrounded by nature is a blessed morning. But don’t get me wrong, this park is great any time of the day, any time of the year. If you are like me, who can find beauty in any season, you can also come here whenever you can.
I used to live closer, so I used to start 3 morning every week here. I moved north a little, but still find time to visit. This place is a gift!

The 1,146-acre of Van Cortlandt Park include beautiful trails and a destination for huge cross-​country races. Grab the 1 all the way to the end and enjoy yourself.

Have to run a cross country race with 400 people in a small trail ⁰⁄₁₀ would do again

This is a great park for outdoor activities. I regularly come here to do a pre-​work workout which usually involves running. I like the loose gravel track which also extends into the wooded area and in total, is 2.5 miles. Because I’m usually running alone and during a time when the park is pretty empty, so for safety reasons, I stay on the main track which is about 1.5 miles.
The park is pretty huge and offers an array of sights: there are historical landmarks, a pool that is open during the summer months, an official track and field, tennis, basketball and handball courts, picnic areas, a dog park, a couple of huge fields for futbol or cricket (you will witness both), exercise stations and the aforementioned loose gravel track which is great for walking, jogging and biking.
Early mornings are best for solo activities, when the park is empty, but the energy that is transferred from active folk during busy days and evenings helps to get you through whatever you’re setting out to accomplish. The best part of this park is that it’s located within walking distance from my home so, I can get in a great workout anytime.

Beautiful park just steps away from the hustle and bustle of the Bronx. Take a few steps away from Broadway and you are transformed into a serene and peaceful space. There are fields to play baseball and soccer and paths to explore throughout the massive park. The Old Putnam trail is one of my favorites. This takes you through the middle of the park past the lake and through the woods. There is a lake right in the middle as well as a golf course. You could spend an entire day here and still be unable to see everything. The 1 train takes you right next to the park on the west side. I highly suggest visiting this park! It’s easy to get to from Manhattan!

I am soooooo happy I finally fount a park big & comfortable enough to workout/​jog without being harassed by guys & is Uptown close to where I live. This park is HUUUGE & theres the track, than hills when you go deeper inside the park. Not to mention the golf course, soccer field, tennis courts. Really love it & will be going daily to do my 1 mile walk in the mornings here

This park has lots of trees, a lake, a boathouse, and paths. There is a former railroad running through the park. One of the paths crosses over the Henry Hudson Parkway on a former railroad overpass. There are also a golf course, a riding stable, and soccer fields.

Good place to jog when the weather is nice. You will see people having picnics, barbecuing, playing soccer and people bicycling. They also have a tennis court, basketball court and swimming pool.

Great park we always come here with our dog has a accessible dog park it has good trails to walk as well. We were able to lay down in the grass enjoy the sun and even fly our kites. Over all a great park.

Van Cortland Park is one of New York City’s public park gems. It is intensely used by many different ethnic groups for many different sports, and yet there are still remote areas that feel like you are in the country side. Horse trails, cross-​country running trails, long linear paths (Putnam and Aqueduct) that go for miles and miles up to Westchester can be accessed from multiple train lines. Lakes and golf courses and an old cemetery round it out.

This was my first time in this park and I had a great time. I came with a meetup group on a hiking trail with one of the park rangers. The hike lasted about two hours and the ranger gave an educational tour of the park, birds, leaves etc. The hike started out easy but became a bit challenging a few times but nothing crazy. They have a huge running track that was crowded. We learned it was the third largest park in NYC and was larger than central park. I plan on checking out NYC parks dept website to attend some other free hike excursions in our city parks.

This park is huge. I used to run cross country here and it was definitely like running in what feels like out of state. This place doesn’t feel like the other city parks. It is probably second in size to Central Park.
Come here for a great day with the family. I’ve only explored part of the park, but it is always well kept and on the days it is sunny, it is absolutely gorgeous. Huge open fields and soccer nets. Also plenty of chairs and places to sit and enjoy.

I recently came to Van Cortlandt Park to take part in the house museum’s Christmas tour. Granted the scheduled time of my tour was smack in the middle of a snow storm but luckily the house is located right off the 246^th street entrance, which is only 4 blocks from the number 1 train.
The park is beautiful, even covered in snow, and I cannot wait to return on a nicer day in the spring. The house is gorgeous and has been updated VERY little. There is only heat in some rooms and only electricity in the office. Everything else has been left the way it was hundreds of years ago. I had not been here in a number of years prior to this tour, and as I mentioned earlier, I cannot wait to visit again. I want to explore this park some more. It’s incredibly easy to get to. Either take the 1 to the end or take the 4 (that leaves you on the other side of the park). There is a lot to do both within the park and in the general area.

This place is an oasis in the Bronx! wonderfully peaceful! The trails are quiet even though they are filled with bikers and runners.
I think anyone who is up in the Bronx should give this park a visit!

Van Cortlandt Park is Pelham Bay Park’s sister park, only this sister is the more athletic one.
Compared to its East Bronx relative, Van Cortlandt has much more to do in terms of recreation, especially in the colder months. The ice skating rink which recently opened is a great addition to the borough and provides a winter activity besides hopping over snow piles to get to buses. The rink is small, but affordable– Maybe I’ll tackle it in a separate review.
The park also offers numerous hiking trails, a cool lake, a golf course, abandoned rail infrastructure, a running track the size of a small city, a pool, and countless other fun things to do. It tends to be cleaner than Pelham Bay as well because it’s not as accessible, especially from the East.
While Pelham Bay’s salty marshes and beaches will always be my home, I consider Van Cortlandt my rural winter retreat.

I have a love/​hate relationship with Van Cortlandt park. I love that there are a few great tracks for running, but hate it because it’s still difficult for me, especially with all the hills. It’s also no longer convenient for me to come here, but once I’m here it’s a great workout.