County Parks & Dog Runs

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Park Permits

Welcome to the Rockland County Park System. To apply for a General Use or a Pavilion Permit in a County Park, please click below. You will be taken to our new online Park Permitting System.

Apply for a Permit

If you are unable to access the online system, please contact our office via email at RCParks@co.rockland.ny.us for assistance.

Reminder: Reservations are first come, first serve. Payment is due in order to reserve a facility.

General Information

Since 1965, the Rockland County Park System has grown to a network of 30, comprising 3,179 acres. The goal has been to provide county residents ready access to local parks without having to endure traffic congestion or drive long distances to enjoy nature's beauty. Park acquisitions have been attained through County funds matched with federal and state grants along with land donations, tax delinquency and partnerships with Land Trusts and other municipalities.

Our parks, now conservatively worth some $230,000,000, are situated on or near mountainous ridges that preserve our skylines as forever green and uncluttered by high-rise. They provide a variety of both active and passive recreation along with preserving parts of our county's history. Recent acquisitions of the last remaining active farms have preserved part of Rockland's past and continue to produce locally grown farm fresh produce. The parks provide excellent nature trails where one may, if you look carefully, encounter a variety of animals such as a red-tailed hawk, pileated woodpecker, barred owl, white-tailed deer, red fox or a wild turkey. There are scenic vantage points at South Mountain, Buttermilk Falls, Mountainview Nature Park, Gurnee Park and Amphitheater, Kakiat and Clausland Mountain. There you will witness the beautiful vistas stretched out for all to see.

Dogs on leashes are permitted in all County parks except for Haverstraw Bay Park.

Dog Runs

Two of our county parks offer residents an enclosed area for their dogs to run off-leash. These enclosed areas are called "Dog Runs". They provide a community setting in which people can gather and socialize and where they can observe the interaction of groups of dogs at play.

Kakiat Park, empty with trees Kakiat Park

Man with dog at Kennedy Dells Park Kennedy Dells Park

Dog runs not only allow owners and their dogs to spend time together, but also offer dogs a space for play and companionship with other dogs. Dogs must be supervised by their "humans" at all times.

All Parks

South Mountain Park
1. Address:164 South Central Highway
  Garnerville, NY 10923
Amenities:
1. Hiking
2. Scenic Vistas
Categories:
1. Parks

South Mountain Park Map

Directions

Eastern gate - From 202 turn south onto Central Highway (Central Highway is at the north end of Little Tor Road) continue to parking area on east side off road just beyond the crest of the mountain. Park entrance is across highway. To western gate - From Route 202 turn south onto Route 45 to entrance some 800' on left. Adjourning Gurnee Park and Amphitheater. A blue blaze designates the Long Path Trail.

Parking

Limited parking on Central Highway. See Gurnee Park for limited parking at western end.

Description

239 Acres - Mountainous land - the ridge, traversed by the Long Trail is part of the Palisades escarpment, which ends at Route 45. A number of scenic views overlook Haverstraw and the Hudson River; Mt. Ivy and Thiells; Clarkstown and Orangetown. The land is covered with a mature stand of hardwood trees. The ridge lacks large water retention areas with most of the precipitation absorbed locally or shed down the heavily wooded slope. Trees include Black Oak, White Oak, Red Oak, Dogwood, Aspen, Tulip, Hemlock, Red Cedar, and Sumac. In season there are blueberries, wild grapes and raspberries, but please, the berries are for the birds.

History

The mountain is noted more for the road by the same name that runs along its base and the people who resided off it in Clarkstown. Maxwell Anderson, famous playwright, made the eastern end famous in his play," High Tor." An air beacon marked this high point but was constantly vandalized before it was finally removed. Prior to its purchase, the crest of the mountain was approved for the construction of apartment houses. With the aid of federal funds and gifts of adjoining land, this section was purchased in 1975-76. A large tract to the west in the Town of Ramapo was obtained by tax delinquency extending the park from Central Highway to Route 45.

Present Use

Hiking via the Long Path Trail. The Long Path runs the length of the park and provides study of nature, geology, and scenic views.

Rest Rooms: No
Handicapped Accessible: No

Future Plans

Improve and maintain hiking trails. Protect the greenbelt surrounding our skyline.

Wildlife

White-tailed Deer, Porcupine, Raccoon, Rabbit, Red Fox, Coyote, Squirrel, Skunk, Copperhead Snake, Red-tailed Hawk, Great-horned Owl, Ruffled Grouse, Pileated Woodpecker.

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