July is Disability Pride Month. Disability Pride initially started as a day of celebration in 1990—the year that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law.  

Putnam County has attractions that are both Handicap Accessible and Handicap Friendly for visitors. See how easy it is to plan an accessible trip to the following locations in Putnam.

Handicap Accessible

1) Westpoint Foundry:
Located along the Hudson River, West Point Foundry Preserve encompasses 87 acres of forested land and the abandoned site of a Civil War artillery foundry and ironworks on a tidal marsh in Cold Spring, New York. The site was heavily used during the Industrial Revolution, manufacturing some of the first steamships, locomotives, and cannons that helped to win the Civil War. The Scenic Hudson Land Trust obtained the site in 1996 to prevent commercial development.

The preserve may be accessed via public transportation, providing connections with the community, neighborhood, and region. Site trails connect directly to the Metro North rail line (with regional service to New York City) via an ADA-accessible path. Additionally, the entry areas for the site include pedestrian paths that connect to Cold Spring’s Main Street in a new bus drop off, and the parking lot in less than a 10-minute walk.

See: West Point Foundry Reserve | Putnam County, New York (putnamcountyny.com)

2) Magazzino Italian Art
A nonprofit museum and research center is dedicated to advancing scholarship and public appreciation of postwar and contemporary Italian art in the United States. Magazzino serves as an advocate for Italian artists as it celebrates the range of their creative practices from Arte Povera to the present. 

The Magazzino Italian Art Museum has taken a significant step forward in eliminating barriers by installing the Orion LU/LA elevator and the Savaria V1504 wheelchair lifts.

See: Magazzino Italian Art


3) Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival
The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival is featuring three amazing shows that will be performed in rotation all Summer long: By The Queen, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd & Medea: Reversed. [Last show is Labor Day, Monday, September 2nd]

The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival is committed to making a visit the best experience possible for their patrons and are accommodating to meeting individuals needs in advance when making a reservation to attend a show. 

See: HVSF – The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival. (hvshakespeare.org)

4) Putnam County History Museum
The mission of the Putnam History Museum is to collect, preserve, interpret, and present the history of Putnam County, Philipstown, the West Point Foundry, and the Hudson Highlands. Through exhibitions, programs, and events, the museum uses its collections to engage the community with the vibrant history of our region, and to foster greater understanding of the role it has played in the growth of our nation.

The Putnam History Museum is ADA-accessible for visitors.

See: Putnam History Museum | Putnam County, New York (putnamcountyny.com)

5) Topfield Center
Topfield Center has been a leader in equine-assisted activities in the Hudson Valley. Located in Cold Spring, New York, Topfield Center offers an environment where children, teens, and adults experience inclusion through nationally accredited and globally recognized equine-assisted interactions.​

Boasting breathtaking views of the majestic Hudson Valley, participants are guided through individualized programs by our compassionate team of certified professionals with the goal of fostering the truly unique relationship between humans and horses.

Topfield offers therapy programs as well as packages for children’s birthday parties and other events. 

See: Equine Assisted Programs | Topfield Center | United States

6) Carmel Cinema
A perfect spot to go to on a rainy day. Watch the latest Hollywood hits on the big screen. Eat fresh salty & buttery popcorn, your favorite candy and wash it down with a refreshing cold Pepsi.

The Carmel Cinema is ADA-accessible for visitors.

See: Carmel Cinema 8 | Carmel Cinema 8 - Movie Theater - Carmel NY

7) White Pond
Located in the Town of Kent, is a 129-acre pond. It is a beautiful location to catch largemouth bass, chain pickerel, walleye, yellow perch and bluegill.

From the White Pond Parking Area, wheelchair accessible features include the:

Fishing/viewing platform

The fishing pier is 230 feet from the parking area.

See: White Pond Multiple Use Area - NYSDEC or White Pond - NYSDEC

8) Tompkins Corners Cultural Center

Tompkins Corners Cultural Center (TCCC) was incorporated in 2014 with the mission to purchase the church and grounds, to preserve its status on the National Register of Historic Places, and to create the only community cultural center in Putnam Valley.  On April 10, 2015 this small band of art and music enthusiasts acquired the keys to the historic building they had just purchased.   

Since opening in 2015, they have expanded their offerings to include Concerts, Visual Arts, Theater, Poetry, Song Circles, Family events, Historical and Local talks,  Community events, and an annual Pete Seeger Fest and  Harvest Fest which features local craft artisans.

Tompkins Corners is ADA-accessible for visitors.

See: Tompkins Corners Cultural Center - Upcoming Events

Handicap Friendly

1) Putnam County Trailway
(Access points in Brewster, Carmel and Mahopac.)

A nine-mile stretch of the Empire State Trail, the Putnam County Trailway travels from Brewster to Mahopac and provides magnificent water views of the Middle Branch Reservoir, Lake Gleneida and Lake Mahopac. There is plenty of stops along the trail to rest and fuel up such as Country Kitchen, Cameron’s Deli, Taco Land, Thai Golden, Scoops 'N' More, Four Brothers, Bliss Dairy Bar & Grill, The Freight House Cafe.

See: Putnam Trailway - Mahopac to Brewster | Empire State Trail (ny.gov)

2) Boscobel House & Gardens
Built between 1804 and 1808, Boscobel was originally the dream house of wealthy Loyalist States Dykman, who worked in the British Army's Quartermaster Corps for most of the American Revolutionary war, keeping the accounts of various quartermasters. Boscobel’s interiors display is one of the finest collections of decorative arts and New York furniture from the Federal period. Overlooking Constitution Marsh toward the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Boscobel’s landscape showcases dramatic views of the Hudson River. See remnants of the “Great Chain” that were used as a naval tactic to prevent British vessels from sailing up the river during the war. Boscobel House and Gardens welcomes groups of all types and sizes to experience Hudson Valley design, history and nature.

See: Boscobel House and Gardens | Putnam County, New York (putnamcountyny.com)

3) Putnam Veterans Memorial Park
Open seven days a week, Putnam Veterans Memorial Park is a family friendly location that is great for a beautiful picnic under the pavilion, go fishing off the dock and take a nice dip in the lake.

Walk around and see the monuments displayed throughout the park like the Cobra AH-IG/S/F Helicopter or the M-60 Tank.

The public restrooms at the park are ADA compliant.

See: Veterans Memorial Park | Putnam County, New York (putnamcountyny.com)

4) Green Chimney’s
The Sam and Myra Ross Farm & Wildlife Center at Green Chimney’s Brewster campus is a popular attraction for families and animal lovers, alike.

The Farm & Wildlife Center is open to the public, free of charge. Take a stroll through their barns, paddocks and wildlife area at your own pace.

Green Chimneys is home to over 300 animals and birds, from the familiar to the exotic to the endangered.

See: Farm & Wildlife Center - Green Chimneys  or  The Sam and Myra Ross Institute - Green Chimneys