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The plaque erected by New York State near the entrance to Haverstraw's Cheesecote Park. Photo by Robert Brum
The historic marker calls it Cheesecoate, the town named it Cheesecote, and historical references place it within the Cheesecock Patent.
Whatever you call it, Haverstraw's rustic park off Willow Grove Road is a small mountaintop gem. It's only open April through October, and for good reason.
The park road that starts just off Willow Grove Road and climbs up to Cheesecote Pond is best avoided in nasty weather. The road’s too narrow to accommodate two-way traffic; a series of sidings are the only places where a driver can pull over to let an oncoming vehicle pass.
Cheesecote has been a town park since about 1971, after the 317 acres was purchased from New York State for $1 by then-Supervisor Philip Rotella.
The land was once part of the vast Cheesecock Patent sold in 1702 by the Iroquois to English colonists, stretching into parts of what are now southern Orange and parts of Rockland counties, according to historical accounts.
Cheesecote Park is popular among anglers for its 6-acre pond stocked with small-mouth bass, and for campers looking for a close-to-home overnight. The perimeter road around the pond has been paved and some guardrails have been put up for safety. Swimming is not permitted.
A sign at the entrance reads: “ATV’s Dirtbikes Four Wheeling Prohibited.” But Town Supervisor Howard Phillips said mountain bikes may someday be allowed.
“We’re actually seeking a grant right now to see if we can entertain mountain biking up there,” said Phillips, adding that Haverstraw may team up with the North Rockland School District, which he said is purchasing mountain bikes for its students.
There are a handful of trails in the park, including one that starts near the lakeside and dead-ends at a cul-de-sac in a sprawling housing subdivision. The Long Path skirts the western edge of the park.
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