New York rental car and Van Cortlandt Park

Van Cortlandt Park is a large park that you can visit in the Bronx with your New York rental car. It was named for Stephanus Van Cortlandt, who was the first native-born mayor of New York and his family. There is also the Van Cortlandt Golf course, which is a unique stop with your New York rental car because it was the nation's first public golf course when it opened in 1895.

The historic course

The City of New York acquired the park in 1888 and they developed many sections of the park around this time. The Clubhouse for the golf course was built in 1902 and is found on the lake. Here you will find the equipment rentals, lockers, and a place to pick up a quick snack before heading out with your New York rental car. Construction of roads around the park in the 1930s helped to increase traffic to the area.

Hit the links

This course has two of the longest par fives in the city. The course was originally developed by a group of wealthy men that hoped the course would change to a private course, but today it is a hilly yet challenging course for you to try while you are visiting with your New York rental car. In recent years there have been over four million dollars worth of improvements to this course, including 20 new tee boxes, 13 new bunkers, two lakes, and re-design of some of the fairways and rough.

Many people enjoy playing on this course. It is a challenge and every hole is unique. Every golfer is able to take something away from their game here, no matter what skill level you play at. Holes numbered 2 and 12 are especially a challenge for even experienced golfers.

Go for a run

Van Cortlandt Park is also a popular place to visit with your New York rental car for cross country running because it has miles of cinder trails, race courses, and hills. There are the "flats" around the parade ground as well as the "back hills" which will take you 1.3 miles in a loop in the northwest section of the park.

Getting here in your New York rental car

Getting here with your New York rental car is simple. Take the Deegan Expressway North to 230th Street. Make right at light and quick left onto Bailey Avenue, to Van Cortlandt West. From the north, take Major Deegan to Van Cortlandt exit. Make a left at the light. At Van Cortlandt West get onto Deegan North approach, and stay left under highway to course.

However, you do not need your New York rental car to get here. This is one of the easiest parks to get to by subway from the west side of Manhattan. The 1 and 9 trains go to their last stop only a short walk away from the station.