Choose from four scenic hikes at Merestead during Take-A-Hike Day
Lace up your boots and get ready for an outdoor adventure! The Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation, together with the Merestead Conservancy, invites the community to celebrate Take-A-Hike Day on Sunday, Oct. 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the historic Merestead estate in Mount Kisco. Participation is free; registration is required.
The day marks the debut of two brand-new connections in the Northern Westchester Interconnected Trail System. Participants can choose from four guided hikes, each with varying levels of challenge, all converging at Merestead around noon for a shared celebration featuring music and food available for purchase. Experienced leaders will guide each hike, ensuring a safe and rewarding journey. Merestead, a 130-acre estate featuring a 28-room Georgian mansion, gardens, farm structures and sweeping vistas of the Hudson Highlands, is the perfect backdrop.
County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “The 18,000 acres of our gorgeous parkland offer endless opportunities for people who want to hike, bike, jog and walk for recreation. Take-A-Hike Day highlights how our parks bring the community together to share in the joy of the outdoors, while also promoting healthy and active lifestyles. The new trail connections at Merestead open even more opportunities for residents to explore, discover and enjoy all that our County has to offer.”
Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation Kathy O’Connor said: “With Merestead’s beautiful setting, this event gives participants the chance to step away from modern stresses, reconnect with nature and experience the awe of the great outdoors.”
Merestead Conservancy President, Jacques Boubli, said: “This first of what we hope will become an annual event has been years in the making, with members of the board, neighbors, and Parks department personnel literally blazing trails for the benefit of all County residents. We encourage you to unplug, gather friends and family, and go take a hike—together!
Vice President of Merestead Conservancy, Brett Summers, said: “We are excited about the tremendous interest in our Take-A-Hike event, and are immensely grateful for the support of the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation. We are looking forward to showing even more people how Merestead, with its incredible views, sits at the hub of an interconnected trail system connecting New Castle, Mount Kisco, Bedford and North Castle.”
Each hike ranges in length and difficulty and there is one for every skill level. Meeting times at each location vary.
Merestead is located at 455 Byram Lake Road in Mount Kisco, NY
