NYC Parks Honors Cass Gallagher Today
NYC Parks is hosting an event today, March 1, to celebrate Women's History Month by honoring Cass Gallagher. The event recognizes her significant contributions and impact on the city's park system.
Florence "Cass" Gallagher was a dedicated local environmentalist and naturalist who became a pivotal force in the protection of Van Cortlandt Park. In 1984, the city honored her tireless advocacy by naming a 1.4-mile nature trail in the park's Northwest Woods after her. Gallagher was a founder of the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park, an organization that has since merged to become the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance. This group, born from her commitment, continues to play a crucial role in the preservation and enhancement of the city's third-largest park. The Cass Gallagher Nature Trail, a moderate-to-difficult path, winds through the hilly Northwest Woods, an area with diverse forests and ecosystems that have been designated as "Forever Wild" by NYC Parks. The trail is known as one of the prettiest and best wildlife-spotting locations within the 1,146-acre park. Today's commemorative event, led by the Urban Park Rangers, guides participants along the trail that stands as a testament to her impact on the natural world within her own neighborhood. The hike aims to help New Yorkers see the urban jungle through the eyes of a naturalist.
