Community Meets Luxury
Sleight Farm’s blog about building a custom home and living in Dutchess County, NY.
LaGrange, NY Parks: Explore Dutchess County Community Greenspace
March 17, 2021
New Homes in the Hudson Valley…Surrounded by Public Parks
The Poughkeepsie, NY area has thousands of acres of wild natural green spaces, but we still love our public parks. Unspoiled wilderness is great for roughing it, or fully unplugging from the human world, but there’s also a lot to be said for sports fields, swimming lakes, snack bars, and public bathrooms! Here’s a selection of our favorite recreational parks within an easy drive of the new home community at Sleight Farm:
James Baird State Park
14 Maintenance Lane, Pleasant Valley
For many locals, this park represents the perfect blend of relaxing nature and energizing outdoor fun. The gorgeous and mostly level 18-hole golf course was designed by Robert Trent Jones, a well-known name in the golf architecture biz, and the 13th hole has earned a reputation as one of the areas most challenging par-5’s in Dutchess County. The pro shop offers all the essentials for golfers, and there’s also a well-appointed clubhouse, snack bar, and driving range.
Two large picnic pavilions are available to rent for gatherings big and small, and more picnic tables are scattered about in the sun and shade for family picnics. Seven miles of trails cut through the surrounding woods, making the park an ideal place for walking and hiking, or for wintertime exploration on snow shoes or cross-country skis.
James Baird Park has facilities for most popular sports, including tennis, basketball, softball and volleyball.
Stringham Park
78 Stringham Rd, Lagrangeville
Sports is the focus at Stringham Park, which boasts soccer fields, baseball diamonds, and basketball courts for casual and league use. The park also has a large, recently-renovated playground for the little ones, and a small but pleasant paved walking trail that rings an ornamental pond. A small snack bar is typically open only during sports events.
Overlook Golf and Recreation
39 De Garmo Rd, Poughkeepsie
This large family recreation park and fun center, located just minutes from Sleight Farm, is the perfect place to spend an evening with the whole family. Budding athletes and casual sports lovers can practice their swings at the 25-station driving range or the batting cages, which pitch both hardball and softball. Thrill-seekers can drive the popular go-kart track, or book time on the paintball field, while those craving a slower pace can elect to putt on the miniature golf course.
Freedom Park
212 Skidmore Road, Pleasant Valley
The highlight in warm weather is the Freedom Lake swimming area, which is monitored by trained lifeguards. The lovely spring-fed body of water, which could be described as either a large pond or small lake, is a beloved tradition for locals and a convenient choice when driving to far-off beaches is not an option. Designated lap lanes are for serious swimmers and the town swim team, the Freedom Lake Rockers, and food is available at the concession stand. Annual swimming memberships for families or individuals are available at both resident and non-resident rates. Swim lessons and lifeguard training are also offered.
Freedom Park is also the home of a very kid-friendly wooded adventure trail called Little Woods, which mixes nature education and exploration with countless things for kids to see and do, including climbing walls, teepees, and even a fairy village!
The park has a bandstand for music concerts and other events, a large pavilion, and a safe playground for toddlers. During the summer months, the town offers a day camp program for kids.
All these local options for spending time outdoors are part of why people love living at Sleight Farm. We hope you’ll discover your favorite greenspace in our neighborhood!
