A regular outdoor stop · Cold Spring, NY

West Point Foundry Preserve: an outdoor go-to

A great accessible place for outdoor time, with super stroller-friendly walkways, views, native gardens and LOTS of bricks from the old foundry. We go here all the time.

Stroller friendlyNative gardensIndustrial historyDiaper-change caveat

Isamu in his stroller on a broad walkway through the trees

Our visitsA regular family favorite

Getting aroundSuper stroller-friendly walkways

Things to seeViews, gardens and brick ruins

BathroomsAvailable; tricky for diaper changes

Why we keep coming back

West Point Foundry Preserve is a go-to for outdoor time. We come here all the time, and the walkways are super stroller friendly. It is a great option for us when we want a pretty walk with interesting things to look at along the way.

Views, gardens and lots of bricks

There are views, native gardens, and LOTS of bricks from the old foundry. The remains give the walk a little extra interest: you can enjoy the greenery and still see pieces of what used to be here.

The practical bathroom note

Bathrooms exist, but they are not really great for a diaper change. For our family, that is the main practical limitation to keep in mind when planning a visit.

A little foundry history

Established in 1817, this ironworks operated into the early 1900s. Its workers produced steam engines, locomotives and pipes for New York City’s water system. During the Civil War, it became an important manufacturer of Parrott guns, rifled artillery designed for greater range and accuracy.

From industrial site to outdoor preserve

The Hudson River helped the foundry transport its products, while Foundry Brook supplied water power. Today, paths and interpretive features connect the surviving remains with the landscape growing around them. The archeological site was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2021.

Our access experience

The walkways we use work really well with our stroller, and that makes this a repeat choice for us. Scenic Hudson lists accessible design features and an on-site restroom. If you need details for a particular route or mobility aid, their park map is a useful place to start.

History and visitor information: Scenic Hudson’s park guide and map and National Park Service foundry history.

Isamu beside the West Point Foundry Preserve sign — One of our regular outdoor stops.

Isamu sitting beside old brick remains in the woods — Lots of bricks from the old foundry.

A small cascade and a bridge surrounded by greenery — Views along the brook.

Isamu sitting on a bench on a wooden viewing deck — A pause on the viewing deck.

Isamu in his stroller beside benches overlooking the water — Outdoor time with a view.

Liz and Isamu smiling together with water behind them — A favorite place to get outside together.

Isamu sitting on a log in the woods — A little woodland pause.

Isamu standing beside a brick ruin surrounded by trees — History all around us.

Liz and Isamu smiling by the water — Cold Spring views.

Our take

A reliable choice for a stroller walk and some outdoor time. The views, native gardens and old foundry remains give us plenty to look at; the diaper-change setup is the part to plan around.