Walkable Westchester (old edition, update available)

The best guide to the Westchester outdoors just got even better. Walkable Westchester, an indispensible handbook to hiking, walking and exploring in Westchester County, has been issued in a second edition. It includes more than 600 miles of trails in over 200 parks, preserves and sanctuaries. Discover Westchester as you walk, hike, run, ride a horse, walk your dog, bike, cross country ski, or snowshoe.

This edition, at 448 pages, is bulging with new and updated information, including details on 26 new parks, 42 more miles of trails, and intriguing sidebars on history, lore and nature. There are plenty of new photographs, detailed maps as well as county locator maps and driving directions with GPS coordinates. Every park description has been updated and enhanced, all making for informative, yet delightful reading.

Walkable Westchester is the creation of Jane and Walt Daniels, Westchester residents who are long-time hikers, trail designers and builders, and open-space advocates. The original idea for the book came about when, unable to find a hiking guide exclusive to Westchester, they decided to create one. They thought the task would involve about 70 to 80 parks and about 200 to 250 miles of trail. Eight years later, they came out with the first edition and let readers in on a secret: there is a lot of open public space in Westchester and, no matter where you live, some of it is close by. That first edition included more than 180 parks and preserves and described just under 600 miles of trails. This new edition updates these spaces and adds even more detail and history as well as more than a score of new parks and available open space, some not included in the first edition and others brand new space.

The book covers a wide variety of walking, from level, paved pathways to narrow woodland trails. The environments range from salt-water wetlands to rock outcroppings. So for any kind of walking this book is the perfect companion, whether a suburban mom looking for a paved path or a veteran hiker out for a day-long trek. It's even fun reading on a treadmill. One doesn't have to walk them all, because the authors already have, several times; just let them be your guide so you can pick the best ones for yourself.

The book features:

• Information on 200 parks, preserves, sanctuaries, and protected open space including 26 additional parks not in the previous edition.
• Descriptions of over 600 miles of trails including 42 miles of new trails.
• County-wide locator maps and detailed maps of all but the smallest parks.
• History, science and local lore.
• Great photographs to encourage you to visit.
• Icons of activities permitted in each park.
• Driving directions, GPS coordinates, and availability of public transportation.
• Links to websites for additional information about the parks.
• Park contact information.