james baird state park

Decent state park for a hike. Also a golf course, driving range and restaurant but I have personally never used.

I'm trying to visit all of the state parks in Ulster/Duchess/Columbia counties this year, so yesterday James Baird got checked off the list. Signage was negligible- none leading up to the park, and none once we got inside telling us where the hiking trails were. I didn't see any information kiosks, no trail maps to take. Did I miss something? The bathroom nearest to where we parked in a smaller parking lot was locked and full of debris inside. I walked away, shocked and annoyed. I love state parks and we have so wonderful ones here in Ulster, such as Minnewaska. Maybe this park has suffered from budget cuts, as someone else suggested, but overall I was disappointed. Pros: Beautiful trail (once I found one). The playground/recreation area looked lovely for families. Lots of people were enjoying the fields and barbecues. Easy to find if you're coming from Taconic Parkway.

Baird State Park is in the Town of LaGrange in Dutchess County NY. I grew up in LaGrange in the 1950's and early 1960s. Baird Park was a real treat. The park has an 18 hole golf course. Years ago there was a large public swimming pool, tennis courts and roller skating. Also a Ball Field and Pavilions in the woods for special events. As LaGrange kids we were allowed to swim for free on Wednesdays in the summer. We would pack our lunches and ride our bikes 5 miles or so through farm country to spend the day swimming and exploring the park. It was a real treat. Over time, as the State has run out of money, the park has been scaled back. The pool and skating are gone. There are still other activities available. It is a great place to take a walk along the roads in the park or through the woods..

I recently returned to this golf course. It had been a couple of years since I was last here and things have changed. Mostly the decline of this venue can be linked to fiscal cutbacks. A once respectable tract has declined to nearly unacceptable. The greens are barely usable and appear to have stricken with some sort of fungus. The tee box selection has been reduced to two. The other tee boxes are no longer mowed and are sprouting unsightly weeds. The course has adopted a pseudo links look as mowing is confined to essential areas only. Vast waste areas are evident, particularly on par threes. Signage is in disrepair and contributes to a generally rundown appearance. The sad demise of this once fine course is perhaps a sign of the times and reflected in the lack of play. Getting a tee time or walking on, any day of the week, is no problem.

We decided to have our wedding at James Baird State Park under the beautiful pergola that was built by the boyscouts. Our reception was at the Eagles Nest overlooking the golf course. It turned out so beautiful. And with 130 of our friends and family members, They were so accommodating to all of my requests! Everyone thought the park was clean, beautiful, and cozy. We didn't want a typical cookie cutter wedding and Kathy and Lou made sure to provide us with the unique intimate wedding that we were looking for. We are so happy with the way everything went and recommend this park and restaurant to anyone looking for a once in a lifetime wedding experience.

Beautiful ride out there, nice country. Good golf, picnicing, and food at club house is surprisingly really good !

We use this park frequently for walks with our dogs, and family picnics. The trails are fun and interesting, but can be convoluted. Fortunately, they are relatively short, and packed into a small area, so you really cannot get too lost. The picnic areas are spacious and clean. This is a "bring it in, take it out park."

This is our family's favorite place to go with the kids > a beautiful spot that is both not busy, yet beautiful with nature around you. Bring the kids with their bikes, kite, frisbee or whatever you like, this place have it all from grounds to trails, to BBQ and tables area, as well as some swings / slides etc. Did I mentioned it is a beautiful place...? :)

Great place for holding large picnics, using ball fields, and not too far from rest rooms. Parking lots accommodate almost all, although there can be a significant walk to your site. Place is spread out so there's no crowding. Have noticed more and more visitors from NYC, but still enough room for everyone.

Price is right, easy to get on the course, staff are polite. State takes good care of the course and makes necessary improvements.