Friends of Read Wildlife Sanctuary

If the chorus of hundreds of screaming kids sounds more like cacophony than symphony, never be an elementary school teacher and skip Playland Amusement Park the next time you are in Rye. Rather, come to the Edith G. Read Sanctuary, an unspoiled 179 acre preserve located along Long Island Sound. Along a migratory flyway, this is indeed sanctuary for your ears and soul. Hike one of the trails by the magnificent 85 acre lake, host to many types of waterfowl, or choose one of the paths that lead you to the ballpark, the bamboo grove or the chimney, a real stone chimney peering out from tall grasses. The trails, while not well marked, are not particularly difficult to figure out at all. The trek isn’t over hilly terrain either but roots and tree stumps necessitate some caution. I felt quite privileged when I spotted a group of wild turkey or pheasant, then became quite humbled when I stumbled over a tree stump. By the entrance there’s a nature center that has bathrooms, a water cooler, a nifty bee exhibit where you can use the supplied magnifying glass to watch live bees behind glass busily building honeycombs. The humming they make is nature’s music. The center has a bird observation window with binoculars you can borrow. They rely on the honor system here, so please do just borrow. Shelves with books you can also peruse to identify birds and marshlife are also available. I heard a staffer but never saw anyone in the center. There are some tables by the center with chairs for you to sit and eat? or chill.
Tips: The trails by the lake are much prettier, though longer. The beach one brings you to a narrow rocky strip that isn’t too long because you won’t have access to protected areas in the marsh. On the day I went, I spotted some people fishing illegally so promptly reported them to a ranger who passed me on a small motorized car. The view of the water is pretty but the beach isn’t that interesting. If you go and have a plastic bag with you, do pick up some of the garbage on the beach. You’d be amazed at how quickly your bag fills up.
The trails by the lake bring you to gorgeous views though at some points, you can not only see Playland Park but hear the happy shrieking of children on rides during the times the park is open.
If you run out of water, don’t get it at the Playland vending machines where a bottle of water costs $ 3. Get it at the nature center if open where you can refill your water bottle, donate the suggested $ 2 to visit the place (it’s free!) and still come out ahead. Or donate more and you get some karma points, along with the satisfaction of not being ripped off for water.
NY’ers who don’t drive can get here via MetroNorth and take the buses at the Rye Station when Playland is open. 13 and 75 get you here and Beeline buses take Metrocard. This is Westchester and occasionally a bus won’t come. Which sucks since the scheduled bus service here is like half an hour between buses or longer. If your wait is long, walk past the car dealer and visit the town of Rye, which has many charming boutiques and eateries. Do not miss a visit to Café Salzburg.
If you come by train, take the train one stop heading toward New Haven to Port Chester after your visit for some of the best Mexican food in New York.