To those familiar with Van Cortlandt Park (Inwood, Prospect: crime, coop) - New York City - New York (NY) - City-Data Forum

yodel · 09-25-2007, 12:32 PM

I’ve only been to the playgrounds on the periphery of Van Cortlandt Park, but would like to see more. I’m not interested in nature trails due to the isolation. Are there nice areas in the park to simply walk around in (without a purpose such as golf, sports or playgrounds)? Thanks.

Pete Piper · 09-26-2007, 03:45 AM

Unfortunately, Van Courtland Park doesn't seem to be in the same league as Central Park, Prospect Park or Fort Tryon Park. If you are not interested in going for a walk in the woods, or playing sports, there doesn't seem to be much reason to go.

rlrl · 09-26-2007, 05:10 AM

I've lived across from VC park for 16 years. I continue afraid to wander off into isolated areas for fear of crime. Bad things are always happening in the park in the isolated areas.

yodel · 09-26-2007, 07:19 AM

Well rlr, perhaps because I’m a woman, I simply don’t feel comfortable in isolated areas. You do, fine. We used to live by Inwood Hill Park, which was really lovely and also had a large wooded section. I went walking with my husband in the woods, but not without him. Around the time we were leaving a girl was murdered up there. The main suspect lived in a coop on the same floor as a friend of mine. He was a nice respectable guy…

yodel · 09-26-2007, 07:42 AM

Thanks for the response, Pete.

rlrl · 09-26-2007, 10:18 AM

Yodel--I am a MAN and I DO NOT feel comfortable in isolated areas of the park. I'm not sure what in my post gave you the impression that I said I did feel comfortable in isolated areas ("you do, fine" according to your post)

yodel · 09-26-2007, 10:53 AM

Sorry rlrl, I thought your reply was sarcastic. I actually didn't think there was a lot of crime in the park and was perhaps somewhat defensive about my fear. My fault.

rlrl · 09-26-2007, 05:55 PM

not my intention to be sarcastic. It was only to be factual. No need to assume fault. The surrounding areas Riverdale and Woodlawn are fine areas but the VC park is not a safe place in deserted areas. I remember in 1990 a gang stormed the ballfield and attacked players. Very scary indeed.

rlrl · 09-26-2007, 06:14 PM

the Van Cortlandt family mansion at 246th and broadway. There's the jogger's path that skirts the park from about 246th street to 253rd street. But since you're not into playgrounds or the nature trails, there's not much else going on in the park. i would love to walk from Riverdale to Woodlawn in the park but there's no direct path and it's just not safe in there, IMO

Elvira Black · 09-27-2007, 05:50 PM

What about Halloween, etc when they have special events up by the mansion (for families, kids, etc). Safer then? Anyone toured the Van Cortlandt mansion? Hear it's supposed to be very cool. Also Wave Hill--nice?

Speaking of Inwood: Went to the Cloisters with my b/f one summer. We didn't realize that from where we were, we had to go deep into the interior of Inwood Park, up endless stone steps that went on and on. Aside from that, the deeper you went the more deserted and menacing because you could really hide and ambush someone very easily.

Saw a few suspicious groups coming back so we figured out a slightly different path out. The Cloisters are of course great--part of MOMA actually--all Medieval, including he museum architecture itself. But go by car/bus for sure to the main entrance--walking is just too isolated.