At the suggestion of the National Park Service, in 2017 the Foundation agreed to raise funds in support of materials needed for the operation of a Junior Ranger program at the Hyde Park sites over four successive visitor seasons. With support from the John Ben Snow Memorial Trust, the program has been a great success.
Many National Park sites offer young visitors, typically between the ages of 7 and 12, the opportunity to join the NPS family as Junior Rangers. Interested youth complete a series of activities during a park visit, interact with a park ranger, and receive an official patch and certificate. At Hyde Park, this involves a site-specific activity book that introduces in simple language the lives, achievements, and vision of the Roosevelts, as well as information motivating the youngsters to be stewards of the park environment and heritage resources in their home communities.
The Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson Valley is a public benefit corporation that was established in part to facilitate and support the creation of the Hudson River Valley Greenway Trail System. Twelve miles of trails serve to connect the four prominent historic sites in the Town of Hyde Park: Vanderbilt Mansion, the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Presidential Library, Eleanor Roosevelt’s Val-Kill, and Top Cottage. These twelve miles of trails are part of the Hyde Park Trail system and are designated Greenway Trails. We are so thankful for their support of this project.
