Castleton-On-Hudson: Parks & Local History

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When planning a trip to Castleton-On-Hudson, it is important to distinguish between two things: Riverfront Park is directly on the Hudson River, but access has long been unavailable due to restrictions imposed by the New York State Department of Transportation and Amtrak. Check the access status again before your trip, as the situation may change.

Water and Parkland

Schermerhorn Park, also known as “The Brickyard,” is on the east side of Main Street at the southern boundary of the Village and covers 12 acres. Vlockie Kill, a tributary of the Hudson River, runs through the park. By area, Schermerhorn Park is sixteen times as large as the 3/4-acre Riverfront Park. The two parks also offer different connections to the water: Vlockie Kill runs through Schermerhorn Park, while Riverfront Park is directly on the Hudson.

On October 28, 2017, volunteers planted 150 trees along Vlockie Kill in Schermerhorn Park as part of a Trees for Tribs grant from the Estuary Program of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. This dated tree-planting effort is a concrete contribution to local conservation history and adds a waterway-focused initiative to the description of the park.

Local History and Main Street

Sunnyside Island, on the northern edge of the Village, offers a historical perspective on recreation by the water. The island was once a picnic and recreation spot, and people came by boat. The focus here is on its former recreational use. Boat trips are part of the island’s history and should not be planned as a current boating option.

The W. Curtis Noyes Engine House offers a different focus: the small brick building was constructed in 1871 in the Romanesque Revival style. The style name refers to a revival of Romanesque architectural forms; it places the building in an architectural context, while the year records when it was built. For architecture enthusiasts, the building’s materials, style, and construction date come together as a concise local-history topic.

Main Street Day also has an explicitly community-focused purpose: the Castleton-on-Hudson Main Street Association created the event to bring the community together on Main Street. If you would like to include it in your stay, check the specific event dates before your trip to make sure it falls within your travel dates.

When choosing a travel focus, it is easy to distinguish between landscape and local history: Schermerhorn Park represents a larger park area and a named tributary; Sunnyside Island represents former recreation by the water. The Engine House adds the story of the built environment, while Main Street Day offers a community perspective on Main Street. This can help you decide whether you would most like to discover Castleton-On-Hudson through its landscape, architecture, or local history.

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