Rockland Lake State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rockland Lake State Park |
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| Type | State park |
| Location | 299 Rockland Lake Road Valley Cottage, New York |
| Area | 1,133 acres (4.59 km2) |
| Created | 1958 |
| Operated by | |
| Visitors | 629,173 (in 2014) |
| Website | Rockland Lake State Park |
Rockland Lake State Park is a large park in Rockland County, New York. It covers about 1,133 acres (4.59 km2) and is a great place for outdoor fun. The park is located near the towns of Congers and Valley Cottage. It sits on a hill called Hook Mountain, right above the Hudson River.
Inside the park, you'll find the beautiful Rockland Lake, which is about 256 acres (1.04 km2) big. This park became part of the Palisades Interstate Park system in 1958. It's connected to other nearby parks like Hook Mountain State Park and Nyack Beach State Park.
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A Look Back at Rockland Lake's Past
Long ago, Native Americans called Rockland Lake "Quashpeake Pond." Later, it got its current name from Rockland County, where it's located. The nearby village of Rockland Lake was once known as "Slaughter's Landing."
How Rockland Lake Became New York City's Icehouse
Before it was a park, Rockland Lake was very important for making ice! In 1831, a company called the Knickerbocker Ice Company started on the lake. Rockland Lake soon became known as the "Icehouse of New York City." People said its ice was the cleanest and purest around.
In the 1850s, the Knickerbocker Ice Company was huge. It had many steamboats and ice barges. It also employed about 3,000 people. Ice was usually harvested in January. Workers would cut large blocks of ice from the lake. These blocks were stored in big icehouses. Sawdust was used to keep the ice cold. These icehouses could hold up to 50,000 tons of ice! The ice was then shipped to customers when the weather got warmer.
The Knickerbocker Ice Company closed in 1924. A few years later, in 1926, a fire accidentally started while workers were tearing down one of the old icehouses. The fire spread quickly through the sawdust. It destroyed much of the village of Rockland Lake. Today, you can still see the old foundation of the ice company. There's a historical plaque and a bench there.
Fun Times at Rockland Lake: A History of Recreation
People have been enjoying Rockland Lake for fun since 1873. That's when a picnic area called "The Grove" opened. It was located near the north end of the lake. Later, another fun spot opened called the "Quaspeck Park Beach Club and Casino." In the early 1900s, special trains even brought visitors to the lake's recreation areas.
The Palisades Interstate Park Commission started buying land for Rockland Lake State Park in 1958. They first bought the lake and about 225 acres (0.91 km2) of land. By 1964, the park had grown to about 1,035 acres (4.19 km2). Over the years, more land was added. Now, the park is its current size of 1,133 acres (4.59 km2).
What Can You Do at Rockland Lake State Park?
Rockland Lake State Park offers many exciting things to do. It has a large swimming pool, plus a smaller one just for kids. You'll find picnic tables and grills throughout the park. You can also launch your own boat or rent one to use on the lake.
The park has hiking trails with amazing views of the Hudson Valley. There are also six tennis courts for playing games. If you like fishing, you can catch bass, perch, and norlunge in Rockland Lake. A paved trail goes all the way around the lake. It's about 3.2 miles (5.1 km) long. This trail is perfect for walking, biking, or jogging.
Rockland Lake even has its own fire department! It's called Knickerbocker Engine Company 1. It's one of the oldest fire departments in Rockland County and is still working today.
Golfing at the Park
If you enjoy golf, Rockland Lake has two 18-hole golf courses. They are called the Championship course and the Executive course. The Championship course is a full-sized golf course. It's 6,864 yards long and has a par of 72. This course also has a driving range and a clubhouse with snacks. The Executive course is a shorter, par 3 course. It measures 2,780 yards.
Images for kids
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Hook Mountain, as seen from the Hudson River
