Nice historic place, lots of people though. Long walk on the stairs, we parked on the grass, lots of kids running, lots of bicyclists, will come back when nothing to do read more

Kensico Dam - Dam - Parks Near Me - Valhalla, New York

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I have got to say that I have loved this area of New York since I have lived here. The kensico dam is a great place to bring the family and spend time there . No need to go far you get a great view and excerise walking around the park. I recently went to their winter wonderland which was a fantastic event. I would go there again and I hope it gets bigger . I know it would keep growing . The great part is that you only pay a 15 dollar fee no paying for parking and you can do all the rides. They have great food that is tailored to everyone's taste buds. They have from hamburger to waffles to organic foods . They of course have hot coco. They have tents set all around the park so that you can explore the different events and not be freezing, even though when we went it was nice and warm. My favorite part was the circus act that they had , it was amazing and very well done . You can tell that they were professionals. They put on a great show . I would definitely be coming back next year and hope other people do as well. read more

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I love this place!!! It's one of my favorite parks!! There's shade- there is sun. You can lay in the lawn. You can walk over the dam. It's a great place to bike, walk, run or just hang out. It's wonderful and close! read more

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The real draw here is the dam and its a DAM good reason to come here (pun intended). Its a fantastic walk around and across the dam. The structure and architecture is amazing and the view of the reservoir is really serene and beautiful. Other than the dam, what I really enjoy are the biking, running, walking paths and trails that lead to the dam. You can take the Bronx expressway trail from way south and end up at the dam and its a great incentive. There's a huge green space for all sorts of activities and a nice kiddie park for the children. Really, its nothing spectacular but its nice. The town of Vahalla is very quaint and cute and has some nice eateries nearby worth checking out. There's also neat festivals that go down here and the July 3rd (not 4th) fireworks are always fun to see. Overall, a great place to visit and the marvel over this beautiful construction. read more

Been coming here for years! Since a kid we used to come here and rollerblade. As a teenager came here for the festivals.. And free movie screenings Now as an adult I come to run up the notorious stairs to the top of the dam.. After a terror of stairs there should be a water fountain or vending machine to purchase water those stairs can get ur heart pumping .. Once you reached the top and are hallucinating the sounds of rockys anthem... It sure is a beautiful view up there. Can see downtown white plains And the reservoir .. In the summer I seen people on there paddle boats and when the festivals are going on can make for a amazing view Worth a visit regardless your age They also have a park for children Bathroom stalls Lots of parking Close to train station read more

Kensico Dam - Le puff productions - Parks Near Me - Valhalla, New York

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Beautiful and scenic dam especially during the fall, the steps on the left to get to the top provides a nice little work out and the view from the top continues to take your breathe away. The lot below has ample spots for parking and always seems to have a Mister Softee truck serving up cold treats. read more

Kensico Dam - Top of dam - Parks Near Me - Valhalla, New York

A beautiful and serene location, perfect for gentle walks and scenic views. I am grateful this space exists and recommend it to anyone visiting or local to the area. read more

This park is neat, very well maintained. The dam is great! You can walk along the dam. The view is absolutely beautiful. You can jog or walk, it's a great place to exercise. Walking or running up the stairs from the park all the way up to the dam is definitely a good exercise. There's also a 9/11 memorial, playground, & public restroom inside. If you live nearby, this place is definitely a must to visit. read more

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This is a beautiful place to visit that can suit any type of activity... running, rollerblading, bike riding for the kids or walking your fur babies. There is a huge lawn big enough to have a soccer game at one end and people sunning themselves or having a picnic at the other. (No BBQ grills) There is a playground for the kids, an exercise circuit and plenty of picnic tables and benches. Since they reopened the top of the dam, you can hike up either side via the stairs or take the long trail up one side. Mr Softie is usually there and there are several vending machines with soft drinks and water. The bathroom is relatively clean. Parking can get a little scarce on really nice days. There are many stations with bags to clean up after your pets and the park is really well tended, even in the winter months. Also, now that they re-did the electrical here, the park is open until 10pm and is very well lit. So if you like to bang out your running at night when it's cooler and less crowded, this is the place to do it. It is well patrolled and I always feel safe. Check for the International Festival days. They do one just about every weekend in the summer. Admission is free. And most DEFINITELY this is the spot for July 4th fireworks. Get here early and you can be one of the lucky ones to park your car on the lawn. People set up blankets, chairs and coolers. Just be prepared to wait in line to get out afterwards. Traffic gets CRAZY. They actually have a police chopper flying overhead to shine a spotlight on the people walking on the Bronx River Parkway to their cars. read more

Kensico Dam - View from the top of the dam at sunrise. - Parks Near Me - Valhalla, New York

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Beautiful small neighborhood Park. Great location between North White Plains and Valhalla.. Lots of parking.

Are you looking for a fun place to come and just get outside and enjoy the weather? The Kensico Dam is definitely the spot for that. It's free to get in, with beautiful scenery and great events all throughout the summer. It's a big place so even when it gets crowded it's not overwhelming. What I like best is the fact that it's very well maintained. A lot of the time, government run places that are free to go to end up getting left in the dust with cleanliness. This couldn't be further from the truth with the Kensico Dam. It's a must to check this place out! read more

This place was a lot better when Rob Asterio was Running the show it just seem like it was cleaner and more organized and more family friendly I think RoB cared about West Chester I've been going there since I was a kid I'm gonna save for 50 years now it's a beautiful open space one of the better parts of Westchester County read more

Damn if this isn't one nice park. I didn't have Pat F. superior knowledge of the construction and the apocalypse that would ensure if the dam burst to recognize the full worth of the imposing structure that commanded attention in this park. But I had a damn good sense of esthetics of construction and nature to appreciate how the dam dominated the space and skyline and yet was softened by the fountains(dry when I went there), the surrounding trees, the huge grassy lawn in front of it, the wide open spaces before and on the side of it. The design of the entire place blends the function of a working dam, carefully constructed walkways and stairs, and wide open spaces to create a fully working and beautiful park. It's a lovely place to stroll in, walk your dog in, picnic in and just enjoy life and nature in. And it always seems clean. But damn if I didn't wish the civil engineers had put full rails on the stairs leading up to the top of the dam itself. I saw an elderly lady pretty much coming down sideways. I went up one flight and understood why.For surely you are damned if you fall down the very steep stairs, which by the way are pretty narrow and seem to be made for ancient Mayans or children's feet. I might enjoy having a second breakfast on many days but I don't have hobbit feet. A tip for you non-drivers, the Metro North Valhalla station is just about 10 minutes(or less) away by walking. Lazy folk can wait for the Beeline bus that goes to White Plains also, just in front of the Valhalla station after you cross the highway. Beeline will take your metrocard. The stairs to the top of the dam is truly steep. If you have acrophobia like me, you might want to skip it or bring a walking stick for the way down. Pat F. said the right side facing the dam has railings to go to the top but they don't cover the entire distance. I didn't see any food sold here but there is a building that is a public bathroom. I don't think Westchester county is into the food truck business. Drinks are sold in vending machines and proceeds go to park maintenance. There are apparently summer events at this park. After seeing how lovely it is, I would be damned if I didn't pay it another longer visit, perhaps this time with a parachute. read more

Kensico Dam - Not a drop to drink... - Parks Near Me - Valhalla, New York

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the park is very fun for kids. there's a small park for little kids, and a big park for older kids! great place to spend hours during the summer!! also really nice & clean. yes there are bathrooms too!! read more

Love this place. I've been coming her since I was a kid. There are so many great events happening every year. In the winter it's a wonderland. In the summer they do movies on the lawn. Not to mention the many festivals that take place here throughout the summer; especially the heritage festivals. Also, you can walk or ride with your family. read more

Really nice and well maintained park. The playground is great for kids. Aside from the expensive hotdog/ice cream truck ($5 a hot dog). and people smoking pot up at the dam, it is a nice half day to take the kids out to burn some energy. I also don't get why people need to walk the dogs near the playground and let the dogs piss, the park is so huge. read more

What a gem. Seriously, one of the nicest Westchester has to offer. Walk the steps to the top of the dam or head via the hill that runs adjacent to the dam. The loop at the base can get crowded during peak times but nothing out of control. There's a beautiful art sculpture that's a 9/11 memorial...one of the nicest I've ever seen. Beautiful place to reflect. If you have a family and need space to run, bike, throw and explore...this is it. Kudos Westchester! Beautiful park. read more

Always a pleasure every year that I go to the Kensico dam when they have the Italian feast great music good food plenty of space to walk around or relax with a chair I just listen to the music read more

Kensico Dam - Parks Near Me - Valhalla, New York

This is a peaceful little place with great views from the top of the dam. The stairs are definitely a calf-killer, but doable and totally worth it. The 9/11 memorial at the bottom was beautifully constructed. A great place to work out, and nice that you can bring your dog and park for free. read more

Best place to spend you afternoon with family walk your dog , have a picnic, ride your bike or just relax and read a book in the grass

This review is for the Winter Wonderland Event at the Dam. (I won tickets from LoHud for my Elf on the Shelf - if you saw the paper, mine was the one who made the front page of the Life & Style section on Christmas - Ice Bucket Challenge Elf... I was very proud of my win!) Anyways, I had won 4 free tickets and 4 free 'ride' wrist bands. We came here a few nights after Christmas bc it was a relatively warm night considering it is the end of Dec. Upon entering we found the beer tent - since we were here just for my almost 3 year old hubby and I passed on drinking... There were a number of food trucks that I normally would have tried but we ate dinner right before coming here so we passed on that too. We found the Himalayan ride (or whatever they call it) which is across from the ice skating rink. My daughter is too young to go on the ride and ice skate. Also, no one that we were with ice skates so we passed on that as well... (in a few years maybe.) We ended up doing the "hayride" which is next to the ice skating rink. It's literally a big circle right in front of that dam which lasted about 5 minutes. It is nothing too exciting but to my almost 3 year old, it was really fun. They did a beautiful job with all the lights on the trees along the dam - every other tree is wrapped in either white or red. Once you get off the hayride you're sent towards the 9/11 memorial and a field with lit up trees that are synchronized with music. That was really pretty to watch. We went into Santa's house but he obviously was gone since it was after Christmas. In his seat was Elsa and Olaf. My daughter gets super freaked out when characters come to life so she was super shy. Elsa could read my daughter's fear so she made Olaf stay on the chair and she came down to talk with my daughter since we were the only ones in the house. After trying to talk with my daughter and be friendly she offered to take a pic with her. (I thought that was very nice.) She also gave my little one a slap bracelet which my daughter has been wearing every day since going here. When we left we quickly walked passed the ice sculptures, through the vendors tent and of course we had to play at the park before leaving. To us adults it was just okay, but to my little one it was truly a Winter Wonderland. I hope the Dam continues to do this annually and if so, I hope they grow their vendors. I think the concept is to look like Bryant Park, which concept wise they nailed it. But I would love to see it packed with vendors in the future!! :) This park has great potential and as their first year with the Winter Wonderland theme I think they did a great job. read more

Welcome Back! Closed for renovations since last year The Kensico Dam Plaza has finally re-opened its pearly gates. While there's still work to be done here all prior pleasures from this wonderful county area have returned. The Plaza has something for everyone. A healthy morning walk - so peaceful and pleasurable. Perfect for biking / tanning / family picnic - the scenic views remain special and can only improve once landscaping is complete. Summer activities include fireworks / heritage festivals / movie nights and more especially with the now installed lamp posts. Who says the best things in life aren't free? read more

Been here so many times. Always thought it one of the best parks/lakes in the Westchester County. I know you will find many better in the upstate, but when you think it only les than 1 hour from the city it makes it even a greater place. read more

Fun place to go ride bikes or hang on lawn. There is also a great playground and nice bathrooms

I love coming here to go for a walk or run, the place is really clean and has a playground for children which is a plus. There is ample parking and restrooms are also available. This is def one of the nicer parks in westchester to visit. read more

This review is for the Lake. Went there on memorial Weekend. The lake is gorgeous (can get windy after 1 PM), and the water are still 2 cold for swimming, but the beauty of the lake, and the silence will bring me here again. If you drive around the lake, you can find hidden spots, and enjoy the nature and the silence of the place. Have fun and please keep it clean ;) read more

Love this place. Right down the street from my house which is convenient. Lots to do! They really made this place nice with all the updates. I just wish they would turn the fountains on again and fill the middle pool (was fun in the winter for ice skating) read more

Best place to come to have a picnic, walk, workout, bike ride/roller skate, play games in the grass, and so much more! This is where I first learned how to ride a bike, so make sure you bring your camera (for memories). They have a beautiful 9/11 memorial. Amazing view from the top of the dam! Beautiful place ! read more

Kensico Dam - View from on top of the dam - Parks Near Me - Valhalla, New York

There aren't any attractions here -so don't plan a day around this place. It's more like a pit stop. Also it seems like it's great for kids and their parents. A lot of families were here. read more

To take a walk by the water, or picnic with friends or family, this is the place I will always remember as the park for great memories, and for great moments to come. The dam is a powerful thing, and if you never been here before, you are going to like it. It is not far from NYC, and on a Sunday morning you can get here in less than an hour from anywhere in NYC. I have family coming from BK few many times in the summer, and they make it to here in 45 minutes. Take a walk, seat on the grass, or try and catch some fish. Just keep it clean and please please do not hurt nature. read more

Uncrowded and neat park. Come here to walk, jog, run, or just sit down at a bench or lay down in the large grass quad (bring a blanket to be safe). Plenty of parking and play areas for small children. read more

Kensico Dam - Map of the park, with running routes too! - Parks Near Me - Valhalla, New York

Love this park came during winter it was pretty cold but will return in spring with my niece to enjoy the playground and view

A pretty nice dam to visit. Quite a few stairs to hike before you get to the top, but once there... the views are amazing. There is a huge lawn that's great for a picnic. During some holidays, there is a fireworks display and a public band. read more

Kensico Dam - Parks Near Me - Valhalla, New York

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Cane here for a latin heritage festival. Definatly keeping this place in mind next time I take a lucky lady out on a picnic. The park has a a big field to play catch and throw the ol' pigskin around. The dam is huge and provides a majestic view of the river. The stairs that lead from the bottom to the dam are quite the hardcore and will be ideal for those training. They have huge empty pools that can be used to play soccer or baseball. They have alot of activities and festivals here. Check out the 9/11 statue. read more

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Stopped over for a little in state sight seeing and loved walking around this park. The grounds are beautifully kept. The dam is very impressive and the detail in the stone carving is worth a look. I climbed up to the top of the dam to see what was on the other side and have to say it was a nice serene walk up among beautiful greenery, birds chirping and just overall surrounded by nature. Just what I needed for the day. Park has plenty of parking for anyone driving in. read more

I always say that if you built something, at least try to make it look good, or friendly to visitors. And the people who designed this park definitely did a good job. The park is friendly for the entire family, and you can walk, seat or ride bicycles. I wish many other locations would do such a great job planning a welcoming park. read more

I went looking for this and found and enjoyed it , abit of everything. For those like myself that's not a fan of porta potties, they have real indoor rest rooms, it's over buy the kids play area. I will certainly be going there often and will surely recommend it. read more

I grow up next to the dam. I would run down those steps and up the side as a child. As I grew up I played many an ice hockey games at the pool plaza. I made many friends there over the years. great memories and some sad. Like the day Richard Henry came out of his car and started firing his rifle into the back of a car on someone who crossed him. great memories late 60's -early seventies we played hard smoked weed and grew into our bodies. Many a friend coming home after Vietnam. we also found women and many good days I remember playing football and Frisbee A DAM niece place to grow up. VALHALLA , new York we always be a big part of my life read more

This is a great place to workout, learn to ride a bike, roller blade, skateboard...anything your heart desires. There is a playground for the kiddies, public bathrooms, and a seasonal food stand. The Dam itself is a beautiful sight. They opened the stairs again, so you can climb to the top. This was always my favorite part of the experience of Kensico. In the summer time, there are different cultural festivals. The Polish Festival is my favorite. If you can deal with the traffic, I highly recommend the Fourth of July fireworks (usually the day before - July 3). read more

Awesome place for kids and family. Perfect for the beginner bicycle rider and a short hike.