Butler Memorial Sanctuary
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Westchester Co., NY
7 trail miles
41.182155, -73.686521
Park Overview:
Consider Butler Memorial Sanctuary a good place for a nature walk and the best place to watch the fall hawk migration in Westchester.
Park Description:
Through the ridge and swale topography of the sanctuary, hikers experience various forest communities, including mixed hardwoods dominated by oak, hickory, or hemlock. Wet areas are mostly red maple swamps.
A hawk watch, erected in 1972 and expanded in 1994, has grandstand-style seating that overlooks a valley at the base of which snakes 1-684. It might lack hot dogs and popcorn, but there is plenty of enthusiasm among the fans during the fall migration. Experts are usually on hand to identify and describe the species being seen and counted. From these bleachers, Long Island Sound is visible 10 miles away.
In 1954 Anna Butler donated 225 acres to The Nature Conservancy in memory of her husband, Arthur, a corporate lawyer. An amateur naturalist and astronomer, he had planted evergreens and laid out many of the trails in what is now the sanctuary. In 1957, the Walter Huber family added 20 acres. The purchase of additional acres increased the sanctuary to its present size.
Trails Overview:
The trails at the sanctuary are user friendly. Each color plastic blaze is a different shape and intersections display a green arrow showing the shortest route back to the parking lot.
Park Acreage:
363.00 acresMunicipality:
Mount KiscoConsider Butler Memorial Sanctuary a good place for a nature walk and the best place to watch the fall hawk migration in Westchester.
Through the ridge and swale topography of the sanctuary, hikers experience various forest communities, including mixed hardwoods dominated by oak, hickory, or hemlock. Wet areas are mostly red maple swamps.
Park Acreage:
363.00 acresMunicipality:
Mount KiscoContact Information
Web Link:
The Nature ConservancyPhone:
Not availableFees:
NoneDogs in park:
Dogs on leash
Directions to Trailhead
Public TransportationDirections to Trailhead :
From I-684, take Exit 4 (Mount Kisco/Bedford) and turn east at the bottom of the ramp onto NY 172. In 0.3 mile, turn left onto Chestnut Ridge Road. Continue along Chestnut Ridge Road for 1.2 miles, then turn right. The road dead ends at parking.
No public transportation.
TRAIN TRANSPORT :
Not availableBUS TRANSPORT :
Not available
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