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Old Field Preserve

Old Field Preserve was created in July 2003 and is owned jointly by the Town and Westchester County, with a conservation easement held by New York State. It is the culmination of many years of effort and cooperation among private citizens, local conservation groups including the Lewisboro Land Trust, and the state, county and town governments.

The parcel was originally part of Van Cortlandt Manor, a 86,000-acre tract that ran from the Hudson River to Connecticut. The area was settled in 1776 by Enoch Mead, whose descendants farmed the land until 1974 when it was sold. From 1974-2003, the 100-acre parcel was enjoyed by riders, walkers, cross-country skiers and hunters. In 2003, the town, county, and state bought the parcel with extensive financial assistance from local residents. Over 100 species of wildlife have been observed on the preserve, and it provides increasingly rare old field/meadow habitat for field-dependent species. The trails are open for hiking and horseback riding.

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Look out for...

Five fields in various stages of succession, with wildflowers and birds, dogwood blooms in May, highbush blueberries turn color in fall, woods, wetlands, watercourses, and old stone walls, the remnants of an old orchard, magnificent view from the FAA tower (trail leading to tower is somewhat steep), connection to Town Park and Ward Pound Ridge Reservation (see map).

Habitats found in this preserve

All Preserves

Brownell Preserve ~ Goldens Bridge

Fox Valley Town Park ~ Goldens Bridge

Frederick P. Rose & Rockshelter Preserves ~ Cross River

Grossman Preserve ~ Waccabuc

Hunt-Parker Sanctuary ~ Goldens Bridge

Indian Brook Assemblage ~ (Grierson, Yarrow, and Mt. Holly Preserves) – Goldens Bridge

John Jay High School XC & Community Trail ~ Cross River

Leon Levy Preserve ~ South Salem

Lewisboro Town Park ~ South Salem

Long Pond Preserve ~ Waccabuc

Love Preserve ~ Vista

Marx Preserve ~ Goldens Bridge

Mountain Lakes Park ~ South Salem & North Salem

Mt Holly Sanctuary ~ Katonah

Old Church Lane Preserve ~ Vista

Old Field Preserve ~ Waccabuc

Onatru Farm Park & Preserve ~ Vista

Pine Croft Meadow ~ Waccabuc

St. Paul’s Chapel Trail ~ Vista

Ward Pound Ridge Reservation ~ Cross River

How to get there

Download Trail Map