Great place to enjoy some unique finds or the starting point for a big hike to the mountain. 

Located in Highland Mills, this 216-acre park has parts of the towns of Blooming Grove, Monroe, and Woodbury. This park has some unique features that bring hikers to this spot. The land once contained a large Monastery that looked like a castle. Now all that's remaining is a few stone buildings including one that looks like a small chapel. These structures you can look around and inside. Some structures have seen better days but it's fun to find old history in the woods. Several stone structures are around the parking lot and the rest including the chapel are a small hike along the gravel road. 

Some hikers start at Gonzaga Park and hike into Schunemunk Mountain. This hike is a 9.7 mile, out and back trail and lightly used. The first part of the trail from Gonzaga Park is moderately steep but levels off from there. Gorgeous views and wildflowers along the way. Blazes on the tree are pretty faded if you follow the Jessup Trail. Gonzaga also has access to Long Path. Long Path is a 350-mile long trail that begins at the George Washington Bridge and ends in the Albany area of New York. 

The athletic fields at Gonzaga Park are for permitted use only. They have a football field and several soccer fields. 

This is a great park for a quick nature hike or for more enthusiastic hikers a gorgeous hike to the mountains.