Always Something To Do at Westchester County Parks

Westchester County’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation (PRC) oversees more than 50 facilities and 18,000 acres of open space, offering year-round recreation, entertainment, and environmental education. PRC supports a vibrant and healthy community through its parks, preserves, five pools, three beaches, trails, golf courses, and family-friendly venues.

PRC hosts hundreds of events each year, including sporting events, concerts, educational programs, and festivals. The Westchester County Center in White Plains, a landmark Art Deco arena that opened in 1930, draws more than 800,000 visitors annually for concerts, tournaments, expos, and more. Recreational offerings include six professional-level golf courses, biking and hiking trails, sports fields, campsites, and picnic areas. The county’s major trailways—the South County (14.1 miles), North County (22.1 miles), and Bronx River Pathway (11.2 miles)—are especially popular with walkers, joggers, and cyclists from across the region.

Westchester also boasts a vibrant calendar of seasonal events such as children’s summer camps, open-air concerts, and outdoor film screenings. Signature festivities include the July 3rd Music Festival and Fireworks, cultural celebrations, Halloween events, the Holidays on the Hill Train Show at Lasdon Park, and Westchester’s Winter Wonderland Drive-thru Holiday Light Extravaganza at Kensico Dam Plaza.

Additional attractions include farmers markets, Bicycle Sundays along the Bronx River Parkway, and Family Fun Days at local beaches and pools. One of the crown jewels of PRC is Playland Amusement Park in Rye—a stunning 280-acre Art Deco-style destination along the Long Island Sound. Opened in 1928 and designated a National Historic Landmark, Playland features a beach, a pool, rides, games, attractions for all ages, and a scenic year-round boardwalk. It remains a hub for multi-generational summer fun.

To make the park system more accessible, the Westchester County Park Pass offers residents discounted access to parks and events. With nine different pass options, the program is designed to serve families, seniors, students, and budget-conscious individuals. Many programs and facilities are free or low-cost, encouraging broader community participation.

Accessibility is a core value of PRC. Facilities are designed to welcome visitors of all ages and abilities, with features like ramps, smooth walkways, and inclusive programming. No matter where you live in Westchester, there’s a PRC park or preserve nearby.

Westchester’s park system enhances quality of life by prioritizing community connection, sustainability, inclusivity, and environmental stewardship. PRC has earned accreditation from the prestigious National Recreation and Parks Association five times—most recently in 2024—and remains the only accredited park system in New York State.

Learn more at parks.westchestergov.com.