by Jane McManus,LoHud,com, link to original post
Jennifer Hill spends a lot of time walking outside near her Ossining home during the summer, and there is something in particular that she likes about the earthen Old Croton Aqueduct Trail.
She can see it in the circular stone vents that pop up at regular intervals on the trail, which allude to a greater purpose. “I really like the sense of history,” Hill said.
In the northern part of Westchester County, the trail is bucolic and pristine, with stretches overlooking the Croton River below. In the southern towns lining the Hudson River, the trail dips through neighborhoods and backyards before reaching Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, some 26.2 miles south of the Croton Reservoir.
The trail is atop the tunnel that used to carry water from the Croton Aqueduct to New York City. Construction of the route started in 1837, and it was the way drinking water was transported into New York City from 1842 until 1955. Those stone structures were working vents, and many are still standing.
The trail became a National Historic Landmark in 1992, and the Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct help maintain the space. The nonprofit offers a map of the trail for $5.75 and leads tours of the old structures, beginning at Ann Street in Ossining.
This year, the group received a $200,000 grant from the state to refurbish the former Keeper’s House into a visitors center, with space for educational programs on the trail and the area. Mavis Cain, education director for the Friends, said that because the 1845 building is also a landmark, the restoration must be historically accurate.
Cain said the group also is in line for funding to make a steep access point at Cedar and Main streets in Dobbs Ferry easier to use.
If you are going to try to walk the entire trail, a knowledge of the path is necessary because a few parts have been built over throughout the system. Walkers, runners, horseback riders and cyclists use the path.
Click here to see upcoming events such as:
Bronx Aqueduct walk
Thu, 08/13/2009 – 10:52
Start: 10/10/2009 01:00
As part of Open House New York, The Friends will again lead walks along the route of the Aqueduct in the Bronx (Sat) and Manhattan (Sun.) Guides will talk about the Aqueduct and point out historical sites of interest along the way.
Free; registration is required.
Detail and registration in September at ohny.org.
