Walk onto the grass at Baxter Preserve on a Tuesday morning and you’ll probably see a Golden Retriever dragging its owner toward the water or a couple of horses walking a slow, rhythmic circle around the pond. It’s quiet. Really quiet. But if you’d stood in this exact same spot seventy years ago, you would’ve been dodging thundering hooves and hearing the roar of a crowd.
Most people today just know it as a beautiful 114-acre chunk of land in North Salem, New York. They call it "The Racetrack" because, well, that’s what everyone calls it. But the name isn't just some local quirk or a metaphor for the loop trail. There was an actual, honest-to-god racetrack here.
The 1950s: When Horses Ruled North Salem
Back in the 1950s, this wasn't a public park. North Salem has always been "horse country," but in the mid-century, that culture was peaking in a very specific way. The property was the site of point-to-point horse races.
If you aren't a "horse person," point-to-point is basically a form of amateur steeplechase. It’s raw, it’s fast, and in the 50s, it was the social event of the season. Local landowners and foxhunters would gather here to test their best Thoroughbreds. They weren't racing for millions of dollars like they do at Belmont; they were racing for bragging rights and the sheer adrenaline of it.
The track itself was a 3/4-mile oval that circled the central eight-acre pond. You can still see the skeleton of it today. The main trail follows that original racing line almost perfectly.
Honestly, the history of the land is kind of a miracle of timing. In 1979, a group known as the Baxter Road Group—mostly local foxhunters who lived nearby and loved the dirt under their boots—decided the land shouldn't be turned into another subdivision. They donated the original 114 acres to the North Salem Open Land Foundation (NSOLF). Later, in 1985, another 15 acres were added by the Baxter 1981 Associates, bringing the total footprint to about 129 acres.
What’s Actually There Now?
If you’re heading there this weekend, don't expect grandstands or betting windows. All that’s gone. What's left is one of the best "easy" hikes in Westchester County.
The main loop, that famous Racetrack trail, is about 1.9 miles if you do the full circuit. It’s flat. Like, really flat. Because it was a track, the grading is gentle, which makes it a magnet for cross-country skiers in the winter and people who just want a breezy walk without gasping for air on a 30% incline.
The Layout
- The South Parcel: This is the heart of the preserve. It’s where the pond is. It’s where the racetrack was. Most of the action happens here.
- The North Parcel: Just across Baxter Road. It’s about 37 acres of high meadow. If you want the "money shot" for your Instagram, go here. You can look down over the south parcel and see the Titicus Reservoir shimmering in the distance.
- The Trees: You’ll walk under a canopy of black cherry, apple, cottonwood, and maple. In the fall, it’s basically a literal tunnel of orange and red.
One thing that makes Baxter Preserve stand out is that it’s one of the very few preserves in the area that allows public horseback riding. In a town where most bridle trails are private or require a specific club membership (like the NSBTA), Baxter is a bit of an "everyman's" equestrian spot. You’ll see trailers parked along the road frequently.
The Fishing and the "Hidden" Residents
The pond in the middle isn't just for looks. People actually fish there. It’s not exactly a secret, but it’s rarely crowded. You’ll see the occasional fisherman casting for bass or bluegill while hikers pass by just a few yards away.
You also need to keep an eye out for the wildlife. Because the preserve connects to other protected lands and sits near the Titicus, it’s a massive corridor for animals. It’s common to see:
- Leopard Frogs: Especially near the marshy edges of the pond.
- Red-tailed Hawks: They love the open meadows for hunting.
- Coyotes: Usually heard rather than seen, but they’re around.
- The Chickens: Okay, these aren't wild. There's a farm right next door, and you can usually hear the hens clucking away while you’re on the eastern part of the loop.
Avoiding the "Mud Trap"
Look, I’m gonna be real with you: Baxter Preserve gets wet.
Since the track sits low around the pond, the grass trails can turn into a soggy mess after a heavy rain. We aren't talking "a little damp." We’re talking "I lost my sneaker in the muck" kind of wet.
The second trail, which branches off the eastern side of the Racetrack, goes through some lower fields that are notoriously marshy. If it’s rained in the last 48 hours, wear boots. Don’t try to be a hero in your white Nikes.
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Getting There and Parking
Parking is... interesting. There isn’t a massive paved lot.
- The Main Entrance: It’s on Baxter Road. There’s a small pull-off area that fits maybe four or five cars near the gate.
- The Rule of the Gate: If the gate is open, don't park in front of it. That means horse trailers are coming through, and if you block them, you’re going to have a very awkward conversation with a very annoyed local.
- Overflow: Most people just park along the shoulder of Baxter Road further east. Just make sure you’re fully off the pavement; the local police don't play around when it comes to blocking the right-of-way.
Why It Still Matters
In a world where every square inch of the Tri-State area seems to be getting paved over, Baxter Preserve is a weirdly perfect time capsule. It represents that specific moment in the 70s when locals realized that if they didn't act, the "rural" part of North Salem would vanish.
It’s not just a park; it’s a statement. It’s 129 acres that will never be a shopping mall. It’s a place where you can still feel the ghost of a 1954 point-to-point race while your dog sniffs a pile of leaves.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Weather: If it rained yesterday, skip the sneakers. Bring waterproof hiking boots.
- Start at the North Parcel: Park on Baxter Road, walk up into the high meadow for the view first, then cross over to do the Racetrack loop.
- Bring Binoculars: The birdwatching near the pond is genuinely top-tier, especially during spring migration.
- Respect the Horses: If you encounter a rider, stop walking, stand to the side of the trail, and say hello. It lets the horse know you're a human and not a predatory monster.