Environmental Resources

Reserve a Park

Welcome to the Rockland County Park System. To reserve a park or park facility, please check our reservation calendar to make sure that the dates you wish to book are available, then print and complete our Park Reservation form and return it with your payment to the Rockland County Department of Environmental Resources.

Check Park Availability Print Park Reservation Form

Reservations are first come, first served. Full payment is due in order to reserve a facility.

Protecting and Preserving Rockland's Environment

Local Law No. 19 of 1996 established the Division of Environmental Resources (DER). The DER is located within Rockland County government and serves as the "core" environmental department responsible for informing the County Executive and the County Legislature on all environmental issues. These include but are not limited to, state and federal initiatives, new programs, funding sources, concerns of residents and environmental problems within the county.

The DER includes the Environmental Management Council, Soil and Water Conservation District, Water Quality Committee, Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board and the Parks Commission.

Our goal has been two-fold: to protect Rockland's environment and to provide county residents both active and passive recreational opportunities. Park acquisitions have been attained through county funds matched with federal and state grants along with land donations, tax delinquency and partnerships with land trusts and other municipalities.

Rockland is the smallest county in New York State totaling 176 square miles. With one-third of the county preserved as parkland, 40 miles of scenic Hudson River waterfront and 600 lakes and ponds, Rockland County is a place of astounding beauty. A recent land use analysis indicated that just 3% of the remaining land area in the county remains to be developed or protected. A majority of this undeveloped land is environmentally sensitive including steep slopes or non-designated wetland areas. Preservation of these irreplaceable resources prompted the county to plan carefully, thoughtfully and cooperatively to preserve open space for the future.

County Parks & Dog Runs offer residents a variety of recreational uses as well as preservation to parts of our county's history.

Open Space Acquisition Program was introduced in 1999 to acquire areas of scenic beauty, environmentally sensitive lands, farms and Hudson River waterfront areas.

Protecting Our Streams & Waterways studies stream sites each year within the county to determine both water quality and assess any levels of impairment.

Helping the Environment encourages municipalities and residents to conserve water and to protect our existing water resources.

Much has changed about invasive species since New York State enacted regulations in 2014 to help stop them from crowding out native plants and animals and reducing biodiversity. More invasive species were identified, more rapid response measures were put in place, and more organizations and individuals have stepped up to help identify, record, and remove them.

The Rockland County Environmental Management Council is pleased to announce that new and updated information about invasive species is available on the Rockland County Division of Environmental Resources' Additional Resources page, including smart phone apps to identify invasive and non-invasive plants, and an engaging video on what invasive species are, their impact, and what organizations are doing to manage them. To find out more visit our Additional Resources page.

Invasive Species Management

Uninvited: The Spread of Invasive Species video created by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Lower Hudson Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (LHPRISM) - One of eight PRISMs in New York State funded by the Department of Environmental Conservation. Its mission is to protect the rich biodiversity and ecosystems of the Lower Hudson region through partnerships and collaborations that focus on controlling the introduction, spread, and harmful impact of invasive species. LHPRISM offers online resources, classroom and field training on how to identify, map, and control widespread and emerging invasive plant species, and organizes internships and volunteer programs.

New York New Jersey Trail Conference - Invasives Strike Force - Information and volunteer opportunities to experience how the Trail Conference is fulfilling one of its land stewardship goals by surveying and controlling invasive pests, and aquatic and terrestrial plants along 1,500 miles of trails in the region, and many natural bodies of water and rivers. Online resources including native plant alternatives are also available.

New York Species Information - Information portal on all invasive species in New York state including animals and terrestrial and aquatic plants.

New York State Integrated Pest Management - The Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences helps address (invasive) pest management needs, whether you are on the farm, at work or in school, at home, or in the community. Its comprehensive plan includes research, demonstrations, education, and outreach.

New York State's Invasive Species Regulations - Describes activities at the state level to control invasive plants and offers e-pamphlets on invasive animals and terrestrial and aquatic plants. Color hardcopies of the booklets are available from the state upon request.

Rockland Cornell Cooperative Extension - Offers a narrative on native vs. invasive species and spotlights some invasive species such as garlic mustard and mile-a-minute (plants) and spotted lanternfly and jumping worms (pests).

Plant Species Identification Apps - Below are three widely used smart phone apps to identify plant species. Please note some have a subscription fee.

• PictureThis
• Seek
• PlantNet

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