So far, the winter weather has been quite mild, making it ideal for walks with family, friends, and dogs. However, a combination of adverse factors has somewhat narrowed the choices of places to walk.

By Paul Hicks

So far, the winter weather has been quite mild, making it ideal for walks with family, friends, and dogs. However, a combination of adverse factors has somewhat narrowed the choices of places to walk.

The biggest blow (pun intended) was Super Storm Sandy, whose wind gusts knocked down countless trees throughout the area and made many trails impassable. In addition, PepsiCo closed its grounds to visitors, beginning December 1, to start on a prolonged renovation project, and Greenwood Union Cemetery barred walking there with dogs earlier in the fall.

The cleanup after Sandy is still going on in a number of favorite local parks and preserves, including Edith Read Sanctuary next to Playland. Check the Friends of Edith Read website, friendsofreadwildlifesanctuary.org, to find out more details.

Some places, such as Rye Nature Center, are partially open to walkers. Although its website, ryenaturecenter.org, has a message discouraging walkers, I was informed in a telephone call that some of the trails are open. It would be wise to check at the office as to the best trails to take. You can also surf through sites like https://www.visorando.com/en/walk-london.html if you want safe yet still scenic routes.

Fortunately, the woodland, field, and marsh trails at Marshlands Conservancy are all fully cleared, thanks to hard work by the staff and volunteers. That was especially good news to those of us who want to see the ospreys return to their nests at the Marshlands around the middle of March. For more information about their programs, go to marshlandsconservancy.com.

There are three good options for a short walk, with or without a dog. One is at Rye Town Park, but you will not yet be able to extend the walk onto the boardwalk or beach at Playland because of the continuing storm damage repair. Visit friendsofrtp.org for updated information.

Another choice for easy walking is Crawford Park, also managed by the Town of Rye, which is on Ridge Street in Rye Brook. It has paved paths that connect to the adjoining Rye Hills Park. It also has a Friends organization, friendsofcrawfordpark.org/tour.

In Greenwich, there is the 60-acre Bruce Park, which is easily reached off I-95. It was part of an estate given to the Town of Greenwich that also included the site of the nearby Bruce Museum. For more details, go to greenwichct.org/upload/medialibrary/dc3/prFA_BrucePark.pdf.

A particularly lovely place for winter walks is in Old Greenwich at Tod’s (also known as Greenwich) Point on Long Island Sound. In addition to a wide sandy beach, there are trails through the dune area and around the point. Some of the waterfront trail is closed due to Sandy. The park is open to dogs from December 1 through March 31. Greenwich requires non-residents to purchase passes from May 1 through October 31.

For those who are interested in longer, but not necessarily more strenuous, hikes, consider joining the Westchester Trails Association (westhike.org/Join.html), which offers walks in and around the county. Annual dues are only $12 ($22 for couples).

Friedrich Nietzsche may have said that, “All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking,” but most of us are content to go walking with less lofty expectations — some just to enjoy the elements, others to get some exercise. Fortunately, despite the effects of Sandy, there are still many places to walk within an easy distance that will suit anyone’s preference.