Tarrytown Reservoir, body of water
Tarrytown Reservoir is a large body of water in Tarrytown, New York, consisting of two connected lakes with a total area of about 81 acres. The earthen dam, built in 1897 to hold back Storm Brook, remains standing today and forms the main barrier for this water storage system.
Built in 1897 to supply drinking water to the growing village of Tarrytown, the reservoir was financed in part by railroad magnate Jay Gould. The facility served the community for nearly a century until 1993, when the village switched to New York City's water system.
The site reflects its past as a water supply system, with old infrastructure like the historic well house still visible to visitors. This reminds people of the reservoir's importance to the community's development and the role of important local figures in its creation.
The park is open from dawn until dusk daily with parking available near the main entrance on Route 119, making it easy to access for visitors of all ages. Walking and biking trails are wide and gentle, with rules to keep dogs on leash and the area clean, while motorboats and swimming are not permitted to protect the water environment.
The park was built over the site of the former hamlet of East View, which was removed in the 1920s to make room for a rerouted railway line and a Rockefeller estate. An old well house from the water supply era still stands near the edge of the lake, serving as a reminder of the site's engineering past.
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