State Parks Acquires Three Properties In Hudson Highlands

ALBANY, NY (01/24/2008)(readMedia)-- New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Carol Ash, together with officials from Scenic Hudson and the City of Beacon, today announced the protection of three properties totaling over 1300 acres of land along the Fishkill Ridge, adjacent to Hudson Highlands State Park. The Highlands are federally recognized as “lands of national significance” and are a conservation area stretching across four states from Pennsylvania to Connecticut. They are also a priority conservation area within the state’s Open Space Conservation Plan, and are at the heart of one of the fastest developing areas of the state.

According to Ash, the properties consist of 80 wooded acres in the heart of the city of Beacon; 600 acres surrounding Beacon’s reservoir in the Town of Fishkill, and 639 acres along Fishkill Ridge at the northern edge of the Hudson Highlands. The lands will be added to the 6,000 acre Hudson Highlands State Park. The acquisitions are a timely investment in the preservation of the landscapes of the Hudson Valley as the state prepares to celebrate the quadricentennial anniversary of Henry Hudson’s historic voyage.

“The properties overlook the mid-Hudson Valley from the front range of the Highlands and enhance the ecological and recreational connections between the City of Beacon and Hudson Highlands State Park. These acquisitions forward two of the major goals of State Parks—to create connections between parks and communities and to work in partnership with local communities to protect our natural resources,” Ash said.

Ash added that these acquisitions resulted from a unique partnership with Scenic Hudson and the city of Beacon. “Scenic Hudson’s advance work on and investment in two of these properties, and the city’s visionary agreement to protect its drinking water watershed in perpetuity through donation to the state, will ensure that this parkland remains available to the public for generations to come,” Ash said, noting that the city will continue to own dam structures on the watershed property and to use the reservoir for water supply purposes.

“Once again, Scenic Hudson has stepped up to the plate for city residents. Together with the state, we have achieved a double victory, not only creating a wonderful new park but providing even stronger protection for the lands around our water supply. This project creates another reason to live, work and have fun in Beacon—and that is good news for our economy,” said former Beacon Mayor Clara Lou Gould.

“The City of Beacon is grateful to the NYS Office of Parks for their continued interest in land and water preservation. This is an example of State Government working at its best to protect our environment. Because of the actions taken by the state, a valuable asset to Beacon's recreational goals will be available for generations. The public will enjoy some of the most picturesque vistas of Mt. Beacon as they visit the parks 10 acre ball field and recreational buildings, said Mayor Steve Gold of the City of Beacon.

“Scenic Hudson has been working for years to keep the Beacon Settlement Camp open and available for the community and protect it from development as part of our ongoing efforts to connect residents with the magnificent Hudson Highlands at their doorstep. We are delighted to have facilitated the purchase of this land by State Parks and to help the city acquire a magnificent new park, said Steve Rosenberg, Senior Vice President of Scenic Hudson.

Scenic Hudson President Ned Sullivan added “These properties meet New York State’s highest standards for protection and are part of a new initiative, launched by Scenic Hudson in honor of the Hudson 400th, to Protect the Land that Matters Most along the river.” We commend Commissioner Ash and Governor Spitzer for their leadership in these transactions and Mayor Gould for transferring critical watershed lands to state stewardship.

According to Ash the two properties protected with Scenic Hudson’s assistance include the 639 acres on the northern end of Fishkill Ridge and the 80-acre former University Settlement Camp within the city limits. The Fishkill Ridge property features steep, wooded slopes that provide critical habitat for endangered and threatened species. Clove Creek, a popular trout stream, runs through a portion of the property. The former University Settlement Camp, located at the foot of Mount Beacon and adjacent to Scenic Hudson’s 234-acre Mount Beacon Park, contains a mixture of woods and meadows, as well as a swimming pool, theater, gym and other buildings. The facility will be managed by the City of Beacon as a public park and community center.

Scenic Hudson works to protect and restore the Hudson River and its majestic landscape as an irreplaceable national treasure and a vital resource for residents and visitors. www.scenichudson.org. New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation administers 178 parks, 35 state historic sites and 19 heritage areas. For more information about state parks and historic sites in New York, please visit www.nysparks.com.

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