Mother's Day - Leon Levy Beginner Hike

This is a Beginner hike -Likely in the 3–4-mile range - anywhere between 97.5 minutes and 2 hrs.

NOTE: SPECIAL VIP Attendee

Note: Since Weekend Beginner hikes typically have an 80% turnover rate - meaning (either people who no-show or bail) I will start with a waitlist.

I will allocate spots for some newbies, but will also allocate spots for my regulars

Remember -this is Mother's Day so -we will be off-trail somewhere between 10:35 and 11 -I know many may have PM plans

Meetup Location - 2-50 Smith Ridge Rd, South Salem, NY 10590

Estimated Group Size - Likely between 15 and 22 - more flexibility if part of a carpool

Suggested Donation - $2.00 - Can Venmo - Stevn-Tartas or Zelle - 914 772-5230

The Leon Levy Preserve, formerly the Bell property, was purchased by the Town of Lewisboro in 2005. It is 383 acres of forest and wetland located in the watersheds of both New York City and Stamford, and provides a portion of their drinking water supply. The purchase was made possible by a $5-million-dollar contribution from the Jerome Levy Foundation and $500,000 from the Dextra Baldwin McGonagle Foundation. Shelby White, whose late husband, Leon Levy, was the Levy Foundation’s primary benefactor and worked with the Town, the Lewisboro Land Trust and the Westchester Land Trust to assure that this largest tract of undeveloped land in Lewisboro would always be preserved and protected and accessible to the community. The preserve has an extensive trail system and ruins of the Black mansion (1899-1979) and other outbuildings. In 2015, the Leon Levy Native Plant Garden was added by Lewisboro Land Trust (with monitoring and maintenance provided by the Lewisboro Garden Club), and a comprehensive invasives removal project was started.

#### Highlights

Wetlands rich in wildlife, a ravine with 25’ cliffs, diverse hardwood forest, rare plants such as Purple Milkweed and Blue Cohosh, native plant garden adjacent to parking lot.

#### Directions

The main entrance and parking lot is on Route 123 (Smith Ridge Road) just south of the intersection of Route 35. There is room for horse trailer parking and turnaround.

Please allocate some additional travel time due to Sunday Driver South Salem activity