Greenwood Lake offers outdoor recreation and nearby activities
Wrapping around the northern end of its namesake, Greenwood Lake is a small village with year-round residents and a smattering of Airbnb rentals that book guests all year round. “It’s a perfect balance of being close to the city and the outdoors — the space, the beauty of the Hudson Valley,” says Jennifer DiCostanzo, an associate broker at RE/MAX Town and Country who has lived in Warwick for about 20 years and has sold homes here for over 10 years.
The village is known for nearby activities and natural beauty. “It’s a unique place where you have a lot of cute little village areas to visit, but you can really feel the solitude of nature,” says Susan Onderdonk, a real estate agent at Howard Hanna Rand Realty who has lived in Greenwood Lake for 20 years. “I love being able to look out at the water and see the trees … I think it really brings your blood pressure down when you live in such a beautiful community, and you really feel like you’re always on vacation.”
Boating and swimming on Greenwood Lake, nearby hiking and skiing
Life here centers around Greenwood Lake. “During the spring and summer, there’s boating, fishing, outdoor recreation, everything lake-related,” DiCostanzo says. It’s the only nearby lake to allow motorboats, and marinas dot its shoreline. Thomas P. Morahan Waterfront Park’s sandy beach draws swimmers. The Greenwood Lake Bark Park has a watering station and a few shaded spots for sunny days. Hiking trails, including the Appalachian Trail, thread through nearby forests. “It’s not just a place for the summer; it’s also a place for the winter because we have Mount Peter for skiing,” Onderdonk says. Mount Peter also has areas for snowboarding and tubing. Vernon offers more of these winter sports 15 miles away.
Diverse home styles with fixer-uppers starting at $200,000
Originally built as seasonal vacation bungalows between 1930 and 1960, many homes have been remodeled, often drastically changing their appearance. “They’re all different, and that’s the beauty of Greenwood Lake,” DiCostanzo says. “There’s anything from custom cabins to log homes to beachfront properties; there aren’t any cookie cutters. Every house is significantly different and unique.” Ranch-style homes, Cape Cods and split-levels are common, but even within these styles, no two homes are alike. Inland homes start as low as $200,000 for a fixer-upper and can climb to about $550,000. Private neighborhoods have residents-only beach access points; waterfront houses or homes with water access can cost anywhere between $600,000 and $1.7 million.
Year-round festivals in Greenwood Lake, nearby Renaissance Faire
Thomas P. Morahan Waterfront Park hosts a free summer concert series and an annual Fourth of July fireworks show. The Halloween Festival and Terror Trail is a major draw for residents. “They create these scary trails for families to run through with the kids,” Onderdonk says. Winter brings Santapolooza, when people dress up as Santa Claus or elves to paddleboard together. The Holiday Festival features local vendors, a Christmas tree lighting and hot cocoa. The New York Renaissance Faire is also held in Tuxedo Park, 5 miles away, drawing people from August through October.
Local restaurants along Windermere Avenue, waterfront restaurants
DiCostanzo says that Warwick is known for shopping locally, and Greenwood Lake is no different. “So everyone who lives and visits here is putting back into the community with shopping, retail and services,” DiCostanzo says. Karen’s Café has specialty sandwiches and outdoor seating when the weather is nice. Trails End Taphouse’s unique vibe is equal parts brewery, garden and concert venue. “They have an outdoor space and an indoor space, they have great little concerts, they have wine and beer,” Onderdonk says, adding that its bakery makes great food and has many gluten free options.
Waterfront restaurants like The Breezy and Emerald Point Restaurant and Marina offer lakefront views. Boaters can often dock their boats in front of these restaurants while they eat. DiCostanzo and Onderdonk note that Warwick is also full of wineries, breweries and apple orchards, providing many activities nearby. Residents head to Country Grocery for essentials or pick up fresh produce at the Greenwood Lake Farmers Market when it’s in season.
Highly rated Greenwood schools, two districts for high school
The Greenwood Lake Union Free School District earns an A from Niche. Children can attend Greenwood Lake Elementary School, which has an A-minus, from pre-kindergarten through third grade and the A-rated Greenwood Lake Middle School from fourth through eighth grade. The district doesn’t have a high school of its own, so older students can attend Warwick Valley High School, which has an A-minus and offers creative writing, robotics and mock trial clubs, or Chester Academy, which has a B-minus.
Route 17 A to nearby communities and NYC
Sidewalks line both sides of Windermere Avenue near the center of town, but the village is mostly car-dependent. State Route 17A connects drivers to Warwick Village, home to St. Anthony Community Hospital, about 7 miles away. Stewart International Airport is 26 miles away. It’s about 54 miles to Manhattan, a drive that takes about an hour and a half.
Environmental concerns for the village’s lake, potential flooding
Greenwood Lake faces environmental challenges caused by harmful algae blooms and invasive species like water chestnuts; overgrowth of the plants can impact boating, so residents and officials alike try to minimize their spread every year. Nor’easters and other severe storms can down trees and cause flooding, leading to power outages and road closures.
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Written By
Christina Norwood
