Rockland County Recreation Programs

Clarkstown Recreation Dept: 31 Zukor Rd, New City NY 10956, 845-639-6200

Clarkstown’s park system includes about 700 acres of park land, 4 community centers, 3 outdoor pools, 3 picnic areas, 2 picnic shelters, 12 ballfields, 1 soccer field, 2 bocci ball courts, 2 tennis courts, 1 wheel park, 5 playgrounds, 4 outdoor basketball courts, and a historic home and barn. The department also makes use of various school facilities. Facilities at each of the community centers include a gym, weight room, game room, TV room, and meeting room. Congers Park in Congers features a wheel park and inline skate rink. Street Park offers an auditorium. Pascack Community Center uniquely offers a rock climbing wall and spray park. Classes and programs/activities, which meet at the community centers, include preschool, arts & crafts, sports, gymnastics, ice skating, roller blade hockey, ice hockey, theater/drama/modeling, golf, fitness, yoga, and special events. All of the community centers offer afternoon and evening programs for elementary and middle school children. Senior citizens can participate in one of the 11 seniors clubs, open to Clarkstown residents age 60 or over, which meet at various locations throughout the area, including the community centers, Middlewood Complex in Nanuet, Monterey Complex in Bardonia, and St. Francis of Assisi in West Nyack. All clubs offer special programs, such as cards, ceramics, stained glass.

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Orangetown Parks & Recreation Dept: 81 Hunt Rd, Orangeburg NY 10962, 845-359-5100, ext 233

The Orangetown Parks & Recreation Department operates and maintains a number of facilities, both owned by the department and leased from the school district. Some areas are undeveloped or provide for passive recreation activities, walking, hiking, fishing and picnicking, while others offer sports fields, handball, basketball & tennis courts, as well as children’s playgrounds or play areas. Borst Gardens features gardens and an apple orchard. Sparkill Skating Pond provides an outdoor skating area in the winter. Veteran’s Memorial Park is Orangetown’s most active park site, with athletic fields and courts, playgrounds, batting cages, a concession stand, jogging paths and two ponds. Golfers can enjoy Blue Hill Golf Course, a 27-hole municipal golf facility overlooking Lake Tappan in Pearl River which is available to the public, with preferential tee times and rates for Town of Orangetown residents, as well as Broadacres Golf Course, a new 9-hole course available to the public, also with preferential tee times and rates for Town of Orangetown, as well as Broadacres grandfathered residents. South Orangetown Middle School is the site for all swim programs, with a pool that is also available for birthday parties and group use on a limited basis.

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Ramapo Parks & Recreation Dept: Clark Park Center, 59 Campbell Ave, Suffern NY 10901, 845-357-6100

Ramapo Parks & Recreation Department operates 18 parks, 2 swimming pool complexes, a golf course, a swim & tennis facility in Airmont, 13 summer camps and a number of year-round special events and education programs. Classes and programs are held at Ramapo Town Hall, 237 Route 59; Clark Park Center, 59 Campbell Ave; Sport-O-Rama, 18 College Rd in Monsey, Montebello Elementary School, 62 Montebello Rd in Montebello; and Suffern Middle School, 80 Hemion Rd in Suffern. Montebello Elementary School hosts a variety of programs and activities on Saturdays for preschoolers, including arts & crafts and sports. Suffern Middle School similarly hosts programs and activities such as sports, arts & crafts, music, drama, dance, science, magic, cheerleading and fitness, for school age children, with the Pilates fitness program available to their parents at the same time. Older children (age 10 & up) can participate in a babysitting training class (Adventures in Babysitting) at Clark Recreation Center. Ice Skating instruction for ages 4-14 is offered at Sport-O-Rama. Suffern High School pool is the site for swimming lessons. Teenagers can take advantage of a variety of classes and programs held in the evenings at Suffern Middle School, including photography, pre-drivers licensing class, study skills, yoga and cooking. Adult classes, for age 16 & up, include a variety of areas, such as computer education, art & photography, dance, floral design, defensive driving skills, bridge, fitness, yoga, and financial planning. In addition to computer education, defensive driving and bridge, senior adults are offered a class in knitting. Golf lessons are offered at Spook Rock Golf Course.

Other Rockland County Parks, Playgrounds & Ballfields

Bear Mountain
Anthony Wayne Recreation Area
Exit 17 Palisades Parkway
Bear Mountain, NY 10911 845-624-3869
Picnicking, hiking, cross country ski trails

Bear Mountain
Palisades Parkway, Rte. 9W, 7 Lakes Drive
Bear Mountain, NY 10911 845-786-2701
Fishing, picnicking, ball fields, museum, swimming pool, ice skating, boating, hiking, basketball, sledding, cross-country ski trails and a zoo. 38 mi. Bike trail

Cherry Brook Park
Madison Avenue,
Pearl River, NY 10965.
845-359-6503

Cherry Brook Park is on Madison Avenue in Pearl River, adjacent to Franklin Avenue Elementary School. Open dawn to dusk. • The 3.5-acre site was acquired in 1971 and dedicated as a park in 1974. • The park includes four tennis courts, a walking path, a children’s play area, four handball-paddle ball courts and a volleyball area, which is used as an ice-skating rink in the winter. The park is handicapped accessible, but has no restrooms.

Children’s Park
11 Grotke Road,
Chesnut Ridge, NY 10977.
845-357-6100

Trails for walking and jogging, paddle ball and tennis courts, a little league ball field, a basketball court, a play area for children, picnic tables and benches. Covers an area of 35 acres. The park has restrooms and is handicapped accessible. Dogs on leashes are allowed in the park.

Clark Recreation Center
Campbell Ave. & Cragmere Rd.,
Airmont, NY 10901.
845-357-6100

Picnicking, gardens, nature trails, playground, basketball, shuffleboard, tennis and bocci. Open dawn to dusk.

Dawn Lane Park
Dawn Lane,
Airmont, NY 10952.
845-357-6100

Walking path, natural area, small neighborhood playground.ý Open dawn to dusk.

Emeline Park
End of Main St.,
Haverstraw, NY 10927.
845-429-0300

map

Waterfront access, paved walks, benches, picnic tables, track for walking or jogging, fenced-in play area with dome climber, slide, space module, spring animals and sprinkler during the Summer.ý Open dawn to dusk.

Lake Sebago
7 Lakes Drive
Bear Mountain, NY 10911 845-351-2583
Swimming, cabins, camping, fishing, boating, picnicking

Lake Tiorati
7 Lakes Drive
Bear Mountain, NY 10911 845-351-2568
Swimming, picnicking, boating, fishing, biking, hiking, ice skating

Lake Welch
Lake Welch Drive
Bear Mountain, NY 10911 845-351-2444
Swimming, picnicking, camping, boats, fishing, hiking, snowmobiling

BLAUVELT
Blauvelt State Park
Highland Ave., Greenbush Rd.
Blauvelt, NY 10913 845-786-2701
Picnic areas, hiking, horseback riding (by special permit)

Clausland Mountain
Mountain Rd.
Blauvelt, NY 10913 845-638-5484
Long hiking and nature trails

Tackamack North and South Park
Clausland Mountain Rd.
Blauvelt, NY 10913 845-359-5100
Parking, hiking trails and picnicking

DeMeola Field
Blauvelt Rd.
Blauvelt, NY 10913 845-359-6503
9 acres with baseball and softball field. Used seasonally for soccer and football

CHESTNUT RIDGE
Children’s Park
Groke Road
Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977 845-357-6100
Ice skating, playground, tennis courts, pond, ball field, walking paths

CONGERS
Congers Lake Memorial Park Town of Clarkstown
Gilcrest Rd. off Rte. 303
Congers, NY 10920 845-639-6200
Swimming, refreshment stand, ballfields, tennis, handball, basketball, community center, shuffle board, gymnasium

Rockland Lake State Park
Rte. 9W
Congers, NY 10920 845268-3020
Program Center – 2 golf courses, tennis, picnicking, swimming pools, boating, fishing, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, nature center, ball fields, 3.2 mi. path around lake

Kings Park
Kings Hwy.
Congers, NY 845-639-6200
Ball fields, playgrounds, ice skating, exercise trail, basketball courts

HAVERSTRAW
Emeline Park
End of Main Street
Haverstraw, NY 10927 845-429-0300
Waterfront access; picnicking, jogging track, playground

Riverside Park
Riverside Ave.
Haverstraw, NY 10927 845-429-0300
Basketball court, slides, swings

HILLBURN
Joseph T. St. Lawrence Community Health and Sports Center: 845-357-6100
Basketball Courts (can be converted to tennis and volleyball) Raised Running Track, Cardio machines, meeting rooms, locker rooms and Racquetball Courts

MONSEY
Monsey Glen
Saddle River Road
Monsey, NY 10952 845-638-5484
Nature trails

Orchard Hills Park
Pilgrim Lane
Monsey, NY 10952 845-357-6100
Tennis, handball, ballfields, ice skating

Viola Park
West Maple
Monsey, NY 10952 845-357-6100
Tennis, handball, ball fields, walking trails

Willow Tree Park
Willow Tree Road
Monsey, NY 10952 845-375-6100
Fishing, nature area, ice skating, biking, jogging

MONTEBELLO
Kakiat Park
Route 202
Montebello, NY 845-638-5484
Hiking, fishing, nature trails, picnicking

NEW CITY
High Tor State Park
South Mountain Rd.
New City, Ny 10956 845-634-8074
Hiking, picnicking, swimming pool

Robert F. Kennedy Park
Little Tor Rd. & N. Main St.
New City, NY 10956
Hiking, nature trails, horseback riding, physical fitness trail

Tennyson Park
Tennyson Dr. off Middletown Rd.
New City, NY 10956
Playground, basketball courts, playing fields

Zukor Park
31 Zukor Road
New City, NY 10956 845-639-6200
Community center, lighted ball fields, playground, lighted basketball courts

ORANGEBURG
Independence Park
Independence Ave.
Orangeburg, NY 10962 845-359-5100
Lighted multi-purpose court game area. Tennis, handball courts and playground

Veteran’s Memorial Park
Orangeburg Road
Orangeburg, NY 10962; 845-359-5100
Lighted ball fields, basketball courts, snack bar, soccer/footbal fields, fishing ponds, batting cages

PALISADES
Tallman Mountain State Park
Route 9W
Palisades, NY 10964 845-359-0544
Hiking, biking, track, ballfields, tennis, swimming pool

PEARL RIVER
Cherry Brook Park
Madison Ave.
Pearl River, NY 10965 845-359-5100
Tennis courts, handball courts, children’s playground

POMONA
Eugene Levy Memorial Park
Route 45 & Joyse Drive
Pomona, NY 10970 845-357-6100
Baseball, Basketball, Soccer, Ice skating, and chidren’s playground

SPRING VALLEY
Dexter Park
East on Groke Rd. from Pascack Rd.
Spring Valley, NY 10977 845-357-6100
Bicyle paths

Spring Valley Memorial Park
Spring Valley, NY 10977 845-352-1100
Fishing pier, swimming pool, lighted tennis courts, playground, basketball courts, exercise track, and picnic tables

STONEY POINT
Stony Point Battlefield
Park Rd. off Rte. 9W
Stony Point, NY 10980 (845) 786-2521
Picnicking, hiking, park scenic walks

SUFFERN
Clark Recreation Center
Cragmere Rd.
Suffern, NY 10901 845-357-6100
Picnicking, gardens, nature trails, playground, basketball, shuffleboard, and tennis courts

TAPPAN
Tappan Memorial Park
Oak Tree Road
Tappan, NY 10983; 845-359-6503
Fishing and community activities

TALLMAN
Frederick Rella Memorial Park
Cherry Lane
Tallman, NY 10982; 845-357-6100
Three ballfields

UPPER NYACK
Hook Mountain State Park
Upper Nyack, NY 10960 (845) 268-3020
676 undeveloped acres, hiking, biking, picnicking. Located behind Rockland Lake State Park in Valley Cottage and can be accessed from the end of N. Broadway in Upper Nyack

Nyack Beach State Park
End of N. Broadway
Upper Nyack, NY 10960 845-268-3020
61 acres, accessible from Upper Broadway in Upper Nyack. Fishing, cross coutry ski trails, ballfields, 2 mi. hiking trail along river

Valley Cottage
Twin Pond’s Park
Mass. Ave. off Ridge Rd.
Valley Cottage, NY 845-639-6200
Picnicking and ice skating

Viola Park
West Maple Road off Viola ,
Monsey, NY 10952.
845-356-3933

Tennis and handball courts, softball fields, children’s playground, natural area, biking, jogging and walking trails. Open dawn to dusk.

Wesley Hills
Willow Tree Park
Willow Tree Road
Wesley Hills, NY 10952 845-357-6100
Fishing, ice skating, jogging, bike path

Information Courtesy of Wikipedia

Check out this article from:  Here’s an excerpt:
If you have an adjustable mortgage, get ready to pay higher mortgage payments.  Already rates have started to jump. According to Freddie Mac’s weekly survey of conforming mortgage rates, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage reached an 8-month high last week, averaging 5.21 percent.  And unfortunately, the Mortgage Bankers Association expects the rise of mortgage rates to continue.  In fact, they project that the 30-year mortgage rate will be at 5.5 percent by the end of the summer and they are projecting that it will be somewhere around 6 percent by the end of 2010.

Mortgage Amount = $320,000 (a 20% down payment on a $400,000 house) .. The Result is principal and interest and does not include your taxes and insurance.

Of course I began at 4.75% but this does not necessarily mean that the rate will still be at 4.25% when you purchase. This is for demonstration purposes only.

There is, of course, one other thing to mention.  ”Rate Lock-In” and how that could adversely affect your monthly payment as well.  That’s my next post.  Happy House Hunting!

Savvy Buyers Beware ! Yes, it’s a buyer’s market, and there is no doubt about that, BUT highly desirable properties can still sell virtually overnight or in as little as 30-90 days.   Due to its close proximity to Manhattan and other points South, Rockland County remains a sought after investment by many savvy purchasers.I’ve been hearing recently of buyers who take months and months to decide on their purchase.   Buyers may visit 50-60 houses.   This all takes a lot of time. During that time, one of the properties they’ve seen and liked may not be there when they finally feel they’ve “seen enough” and come back to it.

The chart below bears this out.  My search criteria was the following:

1. All of Rockland
2. Properties Under Contract (UC)
3. Properties Sold (TT)
4. Transaction Date – Year To Date (YTD)

If you want to be sure you’re not missing anything … let your fingers do the walking.   Begin AND CONTINUE your search online.   We have wonderful technology here free to use.   Most every property today has many pictures and a comprehensive description,  so you can get a fairly good and realistic idea of what’s out there.   Pay close attention to price, condition, and location.  If they all seem to be on a scale of 8-10 (with 10 being the best), that property will most likely move fairly quickly.

So … BE CAREFUL. Take care not to lose a property because you think it will be there for months, weeks or even days from now. It may well be gone!   If your concern is that you will be paying too much or the price will decline even further,  remember that this is your home that you will most likely live in for many years. Compare home ownership with renting, and even at today’s prices most people often come out ahead.

And one other thing … the rates are low now, but how long will they stay that way.  My next post will do a house purchase side by side comparison between 4% and 5% interest rate.  Happy hunting!

Rockland Resale Market

Abbreviations used on this chart:

STATUS COLUMN:
UC = Under Contract ~ TT = Property has sold and closed
BR = Bedrooms ~ BTH = Baths

Source: Greater Hudson Valley Multiple Listing Service (MLS)

If you’d like to know the sale price of any of these properties, simply click on the contact tab (above right) and fire off an email to me.

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Abbottsford Gate is one of my favorite locations in Rockland County.

Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Residential.  Information Deemed Reliable But Not Guaranteed. Copyright 2008 Greater Hudson Valley Multiple Listing Service. All rights reserved.
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