dadbethereJune 19, 2015 -- County Executive Robert P. Astorino was joined Friday by NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Con Edison and Friends of Westchester County Parks to promote activities taking place this Sunday – Father's Day – that underscore the importance of fathers all year long. From special Bicycle Sundays festivities to free admission for fathers at Playland and a #DadBeThere social media campaign, it all ties into Astorino's fatherhood initiative, which was announced during his State of the County address in April.

"The role of the father is critically important," Astorino said. "Families are stronger when a father is actively involved, and society is stronger as a result. What better time to celebrate and encourage fathers than on Father's Day. But it's not just a once-a-year thing. Dads need to be there all year long. That's why I'm calling on all dads to be there for kids, moms and families – no excuses."

Astorino's fatherhood initiative targets the full spectrum of dads, from those who are present in the home to those who are not. Programs range from career counseling and job placement assistance to simply creating more opportunities for dads and families to spend time together.

Speaking outside the County Center in White Plains, Astorino highlighted some of the free activities taking place this Sunday that are especially geared toward dads and families.

  • Bicycle Sundays – NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital will host "Give Dad the Gift of Health." The Bronx River Parkway will be closed to motorists and open to cyclists and pedestrians from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. NewYork-Presbyterian will have a station featuring free healthcare tips, music, water and raffle prizes.
  • Playland Amusement Park – Dads are admitted for free at Playland in Rye. The rest of the family gets a discounted rate of $15 each, which includes unlimited rides until the park closes.
  • #DadBeThere Social Media Contest – Celebrate dad on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #DadBeThere and be entered to win a free family four-pack to Playland

"Father's Day is a great time to get out there and make memories, and social media makes it easy to share them," Astorino said. "Be sure to share your moment using #DadBeThere."

Bicycle Sundays: Give Dad the Gift of Health
Bicycle Sundays is one of the county's most iconic activities, started in 1974 and enjoyed by more than 60,000 cyclists, joggers and others each year. It involves closing a 13.1 mile loop of the Bronx River Parkway from the County Center in White Plains to Scarsdale Road in Yonkers every Sunday in May, June and September from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with the exception of Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital came on board this year as a major sponsor of Bicycle Sundays, along with longtime supporter Con Edison. Each contributed $20,000 as part of a public/private partnership with Westchester County government, which owns the parkway.

On Father's Day, NewYork-Presbyterian/Lawrence Hospital invites participants to "Give Dad the Gift of Health" by stopping by their free event tent featuring music, refreshments and healthcare advice.
Festivities kick off at 10:30 a.m. at the rest stop on the northbound side of the parkway between the exits for Harney Road and Leewood Drive in Eastchester. Dr. Anthony Mercando, a cardiologist with Lawrence Medical Associates, will be on hand to talk about the health benefits of exercise until 11:30 a.m.

"This is the perfect opportunity to provide a healthy alternative for celebrating a father in your life, whether it is your dad, grandfather, brother or husband," said Dr. Laura L. Forese, president of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System. "We're happy to take part in this day, encouraging healthy living and reinforcing our commitment to improving lives in Westchester."

Everyone is also invited to enter into a raffle for the following prizes:

  • A free golf foursome this season at any of the county's five public courses – Dunwoodie or Sprain Lake, both in Yonkers; Maple Moor in White Plains; Mohansic in Yorktown Heights; or Saxon Woods in Scarsdale.
  • Four premium seats at a Westchester Knicks basketball game during the upcoming season.
  • A pack of four passes Playland Amusement Park in Rye. (Free admission and free access to any/all rides on a day of your choice during the 2015 season.)
  • Four buckets of golf balls at either Dunwoodie or Mohansic golf courses.

Playland: Dads Get in Free
Dads are also invited to enjoy a day of free admission and rides at Playland Amusement Park in Rye on Father's Day. Family members get to ride for a discounted rate of $15 each. Admissions go on sale at 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Parking is $10.

For the season's schedule go to www.RyePlayland.org or call the park at (914) 813-7010. Click here to join the Playland E-Club and receive valuable discounts all season long.

#DadBeThere: Share Your Moment
To help promote the important role of the father, Astorino launched a new #DadBeThere campaign, encouraging everyone to submit texts, photos or videos on social media using the hashtag #DadBeThere. The idea is to help celebrate dads on Father's Day and every day, as well as to help connect local dads both online and throughout the community.

All posts shared via social media on Father's Day using the hashtag #DadBeThere will be automatically submitted into a contest for a chance to win a family four pack to Playland, which guarantees free admission to the park and access to all rides for one-day during the 2015 season. Submitted posts will be printed and placed in a giant bucket with the winner to be randomly selected by County Executive Astorino the following week.

To get involved with the #DadBeThere campaign, contact Joseph Kenner, Deputy Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Social Services at  or (914) 995-3287.

Top 10 Things to Do With Dad on Father's Day

10. Beautiful Croton Point Park is home to the annual Clearwater Festival, Saturday and Sunday, June 20 and 21. Guster, Ani DiFranco and Bela Flek & Abigail Washburn are among many other scheduled acts. Visit www.clearwaterfestival.org/stage-schedules/#sunday for details and ticketing information.

9. Rise and shine, pack the binoculars and bring dad to a bird walk led by naturalist Tait Johansson at Muscoot Farm on Route 100 in Katonah from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Admission and parking are free.

8. Dad can get up close to the machines that make Muscoot Farm hum at Big Equipment Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free admission and parking.

7. Lasdon Park, Arboretum and Veterans Memorial in Katonah continues its observance of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II in the park's Veterans Museum with exhibits depicting VE Day and VJ Day celebrations around the world and a "mind map" that illustrates the transformation of the United States from the end of the war into the new century. Admission to Lasdon and the museum are free.

6. If Dad subscribes to the "a bad day of fishing is still better than a good day at the office," school of thought, then treat him to a good day out on Wampus Pond on Route 128 in Armonk. Rowboats can be rented on weekends from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. A New York State fishing license is required.

5. Gather the sunscreen and beach towels and head to one of Westchester's shorelines: the county-operated beaches at Glen Island Beach (Westchester residency required) in New Rochelle, Playland Beach in Rye and Croton Point Beach in Croton-on-Hudson are open Father's Day weekend. Check our schedule at www.parks.westchestergov.com. 

4. Take dad on a hike through the woodlands at his choice of the beautiful county-operated nature preserves. There are varied wildlife habitats at Marshlands Conservancy in Rye, and a huge trail network at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Cross River. A hike to the old quarry at Cranberry Lake Preserve in North White Plains reveals the place where workers mined the stones that became the nearby Kensico Dam. See more to do at our nature preserves at www.parks.westchestergov.com. 

3. We make it easy for you to give dad the gift of golf at any of the six Westchester County-operated golf courses. Buy a golf gift card at any of our six courses – Sprain Lake or Dunwoodie, both in Yonkers; Maple Moor in White Plains; Saxon Woods in Scarsdale; Hudson Hills in Ossining; or Mohansic in Yorktown Heights.

2. Grab the bike, skates or sneakers and head over to the Bronx River Parkway for the iconic Bicycle Sundays, which closes the road to motorists from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m and stretches from the Westchester County Center in White Plains to Scarsdale Road in Yonkers, a round trip of 13.1 miles.

1. Dads ride the rides at Playland Amusement Park free on Father's Day. It's also a special $15 rides admission day for everyone else, so treat dad to a day of fun at a great price. Details and park hours at www.ryeplayland.org.