Madam Brett Park

Madam Brett Park (Photo: Robert Rodriguez, Jr.)

Connecting with Beacon’s past and some of its natural treasures.

BEACON, Dutchess County (12 acres) — You step into history and nature at this park. Catheryna Brett, the first European settler in the present-day city, operated a gristmill here along Fishkill Creek, which later powered the Tioronda Hat Works (whose ruins sit adjacent to the park). More impressive — and intact — are the natural features. Fishkill Marsh furnishes a home for amphibians and aquatic mammals and provides hunting grounds for ospreys and bald eagles and a stopover for migratory birds. A waterfall on the creek is especially impressive, and raucous, in spring or after heavy rains.

Free and open year-round, sunrise to sunset.

Discovering Madam Brett Park
A short film by Jon Bowermaster/Oceans 8 films, music by Meena Ysanne.

IMPORTANT COVID-19 SAFETY UPDATES

The safety of park visitors in light of ongoing COVID cases continues to be one of our top priorities. All group visits need to be pre-approved (please fill out this form and email Anthony Coneski to coordinate a group visit).

Although neither the CDC or New York State require masks in outdoor settings, we ask that unvaccinated visitors or large groups consider wearing masks as COVID cases continue to rise in the area.

Thank you for doing your part to protect yourself and others so we can continue to make these precious resources available for all.

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More to explore

Check out the shops and eateries along Beacon’s vibrant Main Street and Dia:Beacon, a world-class museum featuring late-20th-century art housed in a former factory. To learn more about the remarkable life of Catheryna “Madam” Brett, visit her 1709 house, the oldest in Dutchess County.