Scenic Hudson grows portfolio in Ulster, Dutchess counties
KINGSTON, N.Y. — Scenic Hudson’s recent purchase of waterfront land in the town of Ulster has bolstered the environmental group’s funded portfolio to nearly 22,000 acres of forever-protected land in Ulster and Dutchess counties, the organization said last week.
In a summary provided to the Freeman after the newspaper requested one, it shows that Scenic Hudson, a Poughkeepsie-based group, has amassed protected natural environs of 8,271 acres in Ulster and an additional 13,549 in Dutchess.
The total is 21,820.
“Over the last 60 years, Scenic Hudson has achieved an outstanding track record for conserving the Hudson Valley’s natural beauty and providing places for people to connect with it — by creating parks and trails with and within dozens of communities all along the river,” President Ned Sullivan said. “Success has grown through forming partnerships that combine the expertise and commitment of many groups, governments, and people to make our region a better place to live, work, play, and create.
“This spirit of collaboration continues to be the touchstone of our accomplishments,” Sullivan added.
Other Scenic Hudson leaders lauded the organization’s efforts, specifically initiatives that wound up preserving farmland.
“A healthy Hudson Valley depends on fresh food grown by its farmers, who depend on the region’s fields and orchards to sustain their operations,” said Cari Watkins Bates, director of Scenic Hudson’s Land Conservation. “Assuring that the valley’s productive farmland remains available for farmers is a key part of Scenic Hudson’s land conservation work. We are also taking concrete steps to address the under-representation of Black, Indigenous, and other people interested in farming who have historically lacked access to funding, technical assistance, and land.”
Of the total Ulster County acres, 6,136 acres have been turned into parks, preserves, trails, and other projects funded by the group, according to Scenic Hudson.
Farmlands and other lands preserved with easements amount to 2,135 acres. While the majority of Scenic Hudson property is off the tax rolls, the farmland and acquired easements remain taxable.
In Dutchess County, Scenic Hudson has established 5,907 acres consisting of parks, preserves, trails, and other projects. An additional 7,642 acres of farmland and established easements amount to 13,549 acres.
The most recent Scenic Hudson purchase came earlier this year with the acquisition of 180 acres in the town of Ulster at the Hudson River waterfront. Scenic Hudson purchased the property for $4.9 million from Kingston Capital Group, according to Scenic Hudson and town of Ulster officials.
The newly protected land is located directly north of Sojourner Truth State Park, which Scenic Hudson protected in 2019 and then sold to the state.
Other preserved land in Ulster County and what has become of the properties are:
• Black Creek Preserve
“For a family-friendly hike, this can’t be beat,” Scenic Hudson said in the outline. “Yes, the steep uphill climb at the start may make the under-10 contingent groan, but they’ll love crossing the suspension bridge that spans the creek and skipping stones on the Hudson River shoreline.”
• Esopus Meadows Preserve
“Trek through a rolling forest landscape or hug the shoreline to a dramatic river lookout. Whichever route you choose, arrive at the preserve’s Hudson River Greenway Water Trail site in time for lunch beneath its pavilion,” Scenic Hudson said.
• Falling Waters Preserve in Saugerties
“The scenic treasures at Falling Waters Preserve include a meadow with outstanding views of the Catskills, a couple of picturesque waterfalls, and rock ledges that slant precipitously into the river,” Scenic Hudson said.
• High Banks Preserve in Esopus
The preserve contains bluffs Hudson River vistas, extensive wetlands (a 110-foot boardwalk takes visitors right through one), wildflower-filled meadows, hardwood forests, rock formations, and shoreline along Esopus Lake.
• Illinois Mountain in Lloyd
“Hikers and mountain bikers alike love these trails, both because they offer a good workout,” Scenic Hudson said.
• Juniper Flats Preserve, town of Ulster/Saugerties
” For some local schoolchildren, it’s a first-time experience for outdoor discovery thanks to a partnership with nature-based educational group Wild Earth whose programming gets kids out of the classroom and into their natural surroundings,” Scenic Hudson said.
• Shaupeneak Ridge in Esopus
This preserve offers wildflower-filled grasslands, woods, a waterfall and pond, rock formations, and an abundance of wildlife, including beaver, deer, coyotes, and turkeys.
• Sojourner Truth State Park
Scenic Hudson acquired this Hudson River waterfront landscape in 2019 and collaborated with the Palisades Interstate Park Commission and New York State Parks to establish the first state park in Kingston and town of Ulster. Scenic Hudson continues to manage the park.
“The site’s industrial history and extraordinarily exposed geologic bedrock provide an ideal opportunity to explore the important role the Hudson Valley played in New York State’s development,” Scenic Hudson said.
• Pine Street African Burial in Kingston
Scenic Hudson partnered with the Kingston Land Trust and Harambee to permanently conserve this site, which was used as a burial ground for enslaved Africans between the 1700s and mid-1800s.
Scenic Hudson reported that other lands conserved by the group have led to the creation or enhancement of state, county, and local parks, trails, and cultural sites. They include Lighthouse Park and Sleightsburg Park, both in Esopus; Turkey Point State Forest, Saugerties; Milton Riverfront Park, Milton; Hudson River Brickyard Trail, Kingston-town of Ulster; and Bristol Beach State Park, Saugerties.
“Among the lands on which Scenic Hudson holds easements are more than five productive family farms (in Ulster County) that supply fresh food to local communities and New York City and support the region’s growing agri-tourism economy,” Scenic Hudson said.
Among the Scenic Hudson-funded parks, preserves and trails in Dutchess County are:
• Hyde Park Trail River Overlook
“The relatively easy walk passes through a peaceful, wooded ravine and crosses a small but pleasantly noisy stream before ending at the overlook affording magnificent views of the Hudson River and Esopus Island,” Scenic Hudson said.
• Poets’ Walk Park in Red Hook
“The park got its name because writers like Washington Irving loved rambling here; legend has it he came up with the idea for ‘Rip Van Winkle’” while gazing toward the Catskill Mountains, site of his protagonist’s long sleep,” Scenic Hudson said.
• Walkway Over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie/Highland
Scenic Hudson said it was a major supporter of turning this 1889 railroad bridge into the world’s second-longest elevated pedestrian span.
Other lands conserved by Scenic Hudson have led to the creation or enhancement of the following federal, state, county, and local parks, trails, and cultural sites:
Burger Hill Park in Rhinebeck, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt National Historic Site-Roosevelt Farm Lane Trail in Hyde Park, Tivoli Bays unit of the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve and the Tivoli Memorial Recreation Park. Among the lands on which Scenic Hudson holds easements are more than 35 productive Dutchess County family farms.