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

Buttermilk Falls Park
1. Address:199 South Greenbush Road
  West Nyack, NY 10994
Amenities:
1. Handicapped Accessible (Limited)
2. Parking Lot
3. Trails / Walking Paths
Categories:
1. Parks

Buttermilk Falls Park Map

Directions

From Route 59 East turn onto the Route 303 North ramp, On ramp make a right onto South Greenbush Road travel south to park entrance. Park entrance is passed Rockland Center for the Arts and directly opposite Clarkstown landfill entrance. Parking is at entrance on Greenbush Road.

Description

75 Acres - The land is primarily steep woodland with Buttermilk Falls cascading down the mountain in a westerly direction; part of the Palisades ridge. There are numerous Chestnut Oak, Red Oak, White Oak, Maple, Hemlock, Dogwood, Wild Rose and Sumac.

History

The Park was purchased in 1975. For decades the falls have been a natural attraction for its deep gorge and ravine effects. From a flat rock at the numerous scenic overlooks, one can look south towards New Jersey, west towards the Ramapo Mountains, and north to South Mountain. With good visibility, one can see approximately 16000 acres. At the turn of the century, President Teddy Roosevelt during his visits to Blauvelt, frequently rode horseback stopping at this point for a view.

Present Use

There is a trail from the parking lot leading to the Falls and Stream, and several to the scenic overlooks. At the base of the falls is an attractive area that lends itself to picnicking , nature interpretation, geological study, and a picturesque setting for photographers and painters. A new trail constructed during 1995 leads visitors from the parking area to Schuyler Road.

Rest Rooms: No
Handicapped Accessible: Limited

Future Plans

Trails will be improved and marked and picnic tables will be installed.

Wildlife

White-tailed Deer, Opossum, Skunk, Rabbit, Chipmunk, Red-tailed Hawk, Nuthatch, Warbler, Thrush, Ruffed Grouse, Crows, Vireo, Black Rat Snake, Garter Snake, Copperhead.

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