Black Rock Park

The park today

Black Rock Park sits off Quaker Bridge Road along the north-east bank of the Croton River. The village lists picnicking areas, riverbank fishing, bocce courts, and the fenced Black Rock Dog Park with a dog agility course. The first mile of the Croton River below the New Croton Dam — which includes this reach — is stocked annually by DEC with rainbow and brook trout, and anglers and kayakers use the park for water access.

Swimming is not permitted at Black Rock Park: the village allows swimming only at Silver Lake Park, and only when lifeguards are on duty. The river beside the park is dam-controlled and swift after releases, and the informal paths continuing along the banks from here are covered separately under Croton River Trails.

History

Black Rock takes its name from the dark rock outcrops along this stretch of the lower Croton River, a reach whose character has been set since 1906 by the New Croton Dam a short distance upstream: the river here runs entirely on releases and spill from the dam, and its level and current can change abruptly. Local visitor guides describe the site as a summer resort in the early 1900s, and village lore holds that silent-era Tarzan footage — including Johnny Weissmuller leaping from the cliffs above the river — was filmed here; neither claim is confirmed by primary sources.

In the modern era the riverfront became Village of Croton-on-Hudson parkland, managed by the Recreation and Parks Department as one of the village's resident-ID parks. The village later added a fenced dog park with an agility course, which operates on its own seasonal schedule and permit system. Whitewater paddlers know the park for the "rock slide" rapid and low dam structures on this reach, and use the park as a river access and evacuation point on the run from the Croton Dam to the Hudson.

Dog park

The Black Rock Dog Park is fenced and includes a dog agility course. Residents must hold a Dog Park Permit to use it. From April 1 to September 30, dog park hours are 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday–Friday and 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Saturday–Sunday, and all visitors must follow the posted Black Rock Dog Park Rules and Regulations.

Swimming

Swimming and boating are not allowed at Black Rock Park; there are no lifeguards, and village policy permits swimming only at the guarded Silver Lake beach. The current below the New Croton Dam is release-driven and has proven dangerous along this stretch of river.

Visiting

Hours

Open per the schedule posted at the park (Village Code ch. 168). Dog park: April 1–September 30, 8 AM–8 PM Monday–Friday, 10 AM–4 PM weekends.

Fees

Free, but a Village Resident/School District Recreation Photo ID is required for the park, and a separate Dog Park Permit is required for the dog park.

Parking

At the park entrance off Quaker Bridge Road (details not officially published).

Getting there

Off Quaker Bridge Road, which follows the Croton River upstream from Route 129 on the Cortlandt side of the river.

Rules

Resident-ID park: Village Code ch. 168 limits most village parks, including swimming and boating facilities, to village residents by permit (school-district residents included under the Recreation ID system). Swimming and boating are prohibited here. Alcohol is prohibited in village public places (Village Code ch. 72). Dogs are allowed here (one of three village parks where they are): off-leash only inside the designated dog-park area, by permit and under posted rules; elsewhere in Black Rock Park dogs must be walked on a leash no longer than six feet (Village Code ch. 168, leashed-dog allowance added by a 2021 amendment).

Accessibility

Links

• Village Parks, Trails & Open Space — Black Rock Park
• Village Code ch. 168, Parks and Recreation Areas
• KCCNY Croton River paddling notes (Black Rock reach)