Editorial - UPDATE & Overview
By Edie Johnson, Executive Editor, Orange County Courier Journal
Editor's Note: Following is a Status Report I have compiled for the County Executive Steve Neuhaus, and local officials with intent to show how hard our communities and myself are working to make this historic new branch of the Schunnemunk Rail Trail a success.
Having worked on many stories about Schunnemunk State Park for almost 20 years, with hopes that a trail from Blooming Grove to the Moodna Trestle would come to fruition, the following is my vision for where and how the project can have impact and success going forward. I sincerely hope the County Executive has a similar view and will be able to help support the following promotional connections that I think will facilitate a successful trail network. Blooming Grove officials are meeting with him this week for a tour of the future County Park at the Chester/Blooming Grove border, which will be another great historic link for our communities and the incredible blessings this land affords us. So Stay Tuned!
UPDATE
A PLAN FOR THE SCHUNNEMUNK RAIL TRAIL AND NEW COUNTY PARK - TRAILS - AND HOW TO IMPLEMENT THEM FOR SUCCESS
The dream of having a Western Branch of the Schunnemunk Rail Trail along the Moodna Valley below its Ridge is finally becoming a reality. Through the Town of Blooming Grove, it begins at what is about to become a new County Park on the former Camp LaGuardia property (shared on 228 acres owned by Chester and Blooming Grove) and connects with the beginning of the Heritage Trail. The SRT has been designed, and work has begun for the western branch of this important Trail to continue along the Moodna Valley which has numerous spectacular views of the Schunnemunk Ridge and bustling wildlife, flora and fauna along the lower Valley. Continuing through the Village of Washingtonville at the juncture of Routes 94 and 208, are the historic gateways to the Catskills, and the Hamlet of Salisbury Mills, New Windsor and Cornwall (where the main trail goes up the mountain and to the Schunnemunk Ridge). Along that Ridge it joins a number of other notable trails, including the Long Path and Highlands Trail, which ultimately will connect with the iconic Maine to Georgia Appalachian Trail.
From the new County Park property shared on Chester and Blooming Grove, the juncture of the SRT with the Heritage Trail tracks west through Goshen, New Hampton, and Middletown. The only piece missing to have a continuous route from Goshen to the Hudson River at the farthest point east (and in the dreams of many aspirants) is the relatively short connection from Cornwall to the Newburgh Waterfront. Newburgh environmentalists are continuing to work toward that. But the new branch from Chester to the Moodna Trestle is a historic achievement.
My goal is to continue my newspaper work and start a new project, "Tales of the Trails", primarily for our branch of the Schunnemunk Rail Trail and Heritage Trail from Chester to Cornwall. But our site will also be connected to other trails and their activities and hikers. This work and activities will be published in both the Courier Journal and on the brand new website I am assembling.
And please stay tuned! This week our Blooming Grove officials, Town Supervisor Rob Jeroloman and Councilman Steve Amante are being given a private tour of the plans and layout for the new County Park at the former LaGuardia site. And that is the very point where this new Trail begins.
We will promote development, best uses, appreciation and success of the Schunnemunk Rail Trail, and the opening of Washingtonville's new Sewell Park Environmental Education Program which is located at the Trail's Route 94/Washingtonville Schunnemunk connection, a hop, skip and jump from the Village's High School and Middle School. At the Blooming Grove/Chester border there will be announcements and activities regarding the importance of the SRT's ongoing link to the new County Park. There are events planned at Stone House Farm, the first stretch of trail adjacent to the new Park. Along the way are several area B&B's (Old Dominion B&B and the Caldwell HouseB&B) as well as: Sewell Park, Fulton Square, McLaughlin Square, Mays Field, and Lasser Park. I will be a major contributor, working with the Washingtonville Event Committee as well as related events in Chester, Goshen and Cornwall, including promoting all Spring and Summer Events related to Environmental Education and the associated art that will highlight our beautiful wildlife, art, and scenery. along and nearby the Trail. I will develop important links with the SRT Connection groups and of course, as I have for 15 years, I connect with and promote the environmental contributions of Orange County Land Trust and the Open Space Institute. There is hope for an indoor facility that can function as a Community Center and Tourism gathering place, at one of 3 possible Village of Washingtonville sites, with hopes to develop one that can function as a real Festival Site with large numbers of attendees (even when the weather is not supportive).
As a contributing "non-official member" of Washingtonville's new Comprehensive Plan, I have shared numerous design concepts for what could be one of the most important Tourism attractions along this branch of the SRT; that is, an Open Space Overlay on the 150-acre Cassaza Farm site that has the signature "Gateway" view of Woodcock Mountain as visitors enter the Village. Another potential large venue with indoor space might be the former Spears Lumber building, some of which is currently leased by the Brotherhood Winery.
Option 1 -The Village is hoping that any one of these large sites close to Village businesses could include LARGE FESTIVAL and Parking space close enough to the Village Center to give Village businesses a big boost. The "Mixed Use" plan for the Casazza site will probably also have a small string of tourism-related businesses. If one of these larger venue sites becomes available, the space will be a major project, requiring not only construction and important planning, but communication and scheduling with the network of festival spaces and vendors in the region when completed. If it can be done on a portion of the Casazza farmland, it would be the ideal site. However it would be a challenge to blend the desires of the farm owner to maximize affordable and veteran housing on the site, while the public has a high priority for community event and recreation use of the central protected overlay area. It would provide not only a fantastic view, but could be a big benefit to those interested in buying the housing on other sections of the 150 acres. Young couples' children would have a park right next door, and seniors would have beautiful walking paths. It also affords ideal access to the SRT. This would need a minimum of 10 of the overlay acres with a Pavillion to start with, and eventually possibly a moderate sized gathering structure and art gallery building capable of holding at least several hundred visitors and residents.
Option 2- The second potential for relatively large indoor gatherings, within walkable distance to both the main stretch of the Schunnemunk Trail and also within shopping distance of the Village Center, would be the Candle Store, which has been For Sale since being rebuilt and renovated after a serious fire several years ago. it has a quite large 2nd floor with a stage and depending on capacity regulations of code could probably handle 75 to 100 attendees.
Option 3- potential for large outside and indoor events in the Village Center, is the potential of the former Spears Lumber site. At least portions of the 2 large buildings there are currently in use by the Brotherhood Winery. I am scheduling an on-site meeting with the Project Manager of that property to determine the feasibility of sharing a portion of that property now or in the future. This could, if the famed Brotherhood Winery is willing to share space, be a great opportunity for them to share in festivities as well.
Venues for moderate sized indoor groups
The new elite gift store "Prizmatica", at the historic Chase Bank Building on the corner of the Village main intersection, is another potential venue for both visiting shoppers, and moderate sized workshops and gatherings.
McLaughlin Square is becoming upscaled with picnic tables for the adjacent eateries and lighting and functions as it already acts as the nexus for many Village events. And a grant is in the works for flowering trees to line Main Street, as was done last year along Ahern Boulevard.
Each of these potential future and current uses will soon, (goal is the end of April) be impacted with the changed zoning code, especially where there are protections and a historic district. The public came out en masse to give their opinions both verbally and on interactive maps and surveys. Here are some of the results.
Schunnemunk Rail Trail & County
Park Ambassadors
Trail Promotion
Design & Development
Communication Links, Contacts and Shared Program Information
Orange County Land Trust
Open Space Institute
Highlands Preservation Land Trust - Ted Warren
The Preservation Collective/Goosepond Park/ Tracy Schuh
New Orange County Park Administrator
OC Tourism - Amanda Dana and Rachel Carr
SLPAC
Orange County Arts Council
Chamber of Commerce - Heather Bell-Meyer
Town and Village Administrators - Chester, Blooming Grove, Washingtonville, New Windsor and Cornwall
OC Legislators
Washingtonville Event Committee
Washingtonville Scenic Gateway Overlay & Comp Plan -Donna Jacaruso
and Bonnie Franson
Blooming Grove Event Committee
Cornwall Event Committee
Black Rock Forest Organization
Chester Event Committee
"Tales of the Trails" Website
Schunnemunk Rail Trail * Heritage Trail
New Orange County Park
Trail Development NEWS
Beginning of the beginning - Essential early work near the base of the Moodna Trestle for parking and SRT's access. This was a very exciting "First Start" of the real work ahead in 2025 to transform the pieces of this branch of the Schunnemunk Rail Trail into a functional and popular trail. The work will continue in earnest this year, including numerous bridges along the way.
Tourism Attractions, for hikers and other visitors - a few samples:
History - Lenape speakers
Ag and Garden speakers
Health and Wellness Speakers
Local Art Gallery
Officials to speak on issues of importance
Related Clubs
Audubon Presentations
Raptor Live Presentations
School Groups - Art.. Musical Events (maybe along the trail, maybe at the Trestle)
GNSO has offered in the past to send a String Quartet
Environmental Art Displays along the Trail (per suggestion from Alan Sorenson, Possibly rotated. All pieces to require County and Local Official Approval
We can hold Interviews with hikers from all over the area that come through Washingtonville while we hike along the Trails wearing Info and Environmental Clothing with an Orange County SRT logo. Also, stories from the local walkers who often take a stroll on the section behind Mays Field.
There is potential space for an eastern branch of Cornell Extension Agency Activities at the new County Park, rather than youngsters (and acttually adults as well) having to travel across the county for their wonderful events. - (Lucy Joyce jad expressed interest in this several years ago)
Environmental and historic-themed artists - Chainsaw carving, a possible wood totem as a nod to the area's indigenous beginning.... one that residents can each decorate a small piece of. Historical activities like a spinning wheel demos with wool from local sheep and alpaca farms, Farrier demos of forging and making art with horseshoes, Beekeeping instruction, Live Slab Art, Wood and metal Engraving, and MUCH more in the way of workshops. Many of these acctivities can be held in the Fulton Square area during Spring and Summer, but some require indoor space during Winter.
Hayrides through Vern Allen Park (Sean Geiry driving) and down Main Street during big events.This past Fall there was such a crowd waiting for their hayride that groups had to double-up when time for the event was almost up.
Maps
Schunnemunk Trail - Sections and Entirety
Long Path
Highlands Preservation Maps
Goosepond Mt. and Boardwalk
Potential OS on Round Hill Road with Boardwalk Across Marsh and
Audubon -signs for and nesting boxes for birds. This potential is a
more or less "fledgling idea" (sic), but a good one. Almost all of the Marsh is either protected because of its view of the Schunnemunk Ridge, and the portion that is not is almost entirely too wet to build on. One of our environmental experts requested that the Oxford to Round Hill Distribution Center developer who has been asked by one of our environmental advocates to consider this if they obtain the approvals for the nearly 400 acres between Round Hill Road and Oxford Road (which are not far from the SRT at the Oxford/Rt 94 junction, Farmingdale and Old Dominion roads. New York has very strict guidelines about what can and cannot be done on wetland properties. Numerous other states have exceptions in marsh areas and have had great success creating passive Parklands there with benefit to the environment and especially with plentiful avian and other wildlife prevalent visitors enjoy them greatly.
(Disclaimer: Both the environmental advocate and myself live across the road from Round Hill Marsh.)
Appalachian Trail History and Current Activities
Goosepond Park and its History
Maps showing places to stop and visit along the way/shops, farms & historic markers
Lodging in the area
Sites for Potential Gatherings/Speakers/Festivals
County Park at former LaGuardia Site
Lasser Park - Lasser Park has plenty of space for gatherings, if they can be
scheduled soas not to conflict with the busy game schedule there.
Vern Allen Park- This park has adequate space for very large gatherings but
is quite a distance from the Village Center. It has proven its ability to gather thousands of visitors, with help from Washingtonville Event Committee.
Sewell Park
Stone House Farm
Red Barn, Route 94 and Farmingdale Rd.
Old Dominion B&B and the Caldwell House B&B
Mays Field
Prizmatica
Corner Candle Shop
Look into possible space-sharing at Spears Building with Brotherhood Winery
Pavillion and/or Community Center in the Open Space area of Casazza 150 acres that connect to the Schunnemunk Rail Trail
Trestle Valley Farm - Salisbury Mills
Direct Connections with Hikers
1. Online
2. Mailbox for hikers' information ...name, location they came from, miles they traveled
3. Tourism & Park Info Wear, Environmental Tee's and Jackets with logo
gear with educational info tags
4. News From Area Seminars about Trails, Environment, Climate Change
5. Website contests with environmental questions and prizes
Brochure with Catalogue of Sale Items - Photography Work by
Ed Frampton and Tom Lyons
Note: I have dozens of these wonderful images and a variety of options for interesting ways to use them.
Corner Candle Store on Depot Street, adjacent to Mays Field
Entrance Area
Decorated for the Holidays
Craft and/or Art Room in the right rear downstairs
Second Floor - 2 offices, theatre area and stage, meeting area
Photo shows about 1/2 of the upstairs Candle Store space
Corner Candle Store on Depot Street - adjacent to Fulton Square and
a stone's throw from the Schunnemunk Rail Trail - For Sale - spacious, upper floor has 2 offices, art gallery space, theatre space with a beautiful stage, and space for a small hiking gear shop. Downstairs has 2 floors with space for meetings as well as restaurant (and potential space for an OC Chamber of Commerce and Tourism area) Several parties have expressed interested in a sublease.
Former Chase Historic Bank
Now Prizmatica Design & Art Studio
Opening Day at Prizmatica
Back room and upstairs is for art workshops
Draft versions of the first few Art and Hiking Wearables
"Wearables which will include a logo on the back,
a "saying' under the image, and an educational Tag
We have dozens of stunning images!
First Draft Tee Designs - Image by Ed Frampton
Fox cub emerges from woods and gives a "side eye" to humanity's
concrete bench artwork
Heron at Wallkill Falls
Products will include:
Small carry bags and larger backpacks with Trails Logo and Env. Images with
.......Informational tags about the trails' animals, birds, flowers etc.
.......Also Tee-shirts and possible other clothing with same kinds of tags.
.......Free informational environmental handouts...at the mailbox and shops
.......Hiking boots, jackets, digital chargers, safety gear
Full Contact List of professional eenvironmental resources and hiker contacts
Overview Development Plan
40 hours/month
Meet with important contacts
Research history
Website design and upgrades and editing in concert with County
Initial Business Cards, Invoices (Ads)
Develop Brochure
Develop sale items and informational tags
Note potential advertisers and "Interested Hiker and Event Attendee List"
Interview hikers and put the best interviews online on the website w. pics if poss.
Pics and description of stopping places (restaurants, lodging, historic sites and potential buildings for indoor events)
Make list of potential speakers - contact when I get approval to follow up and
add to potential calendar of events list
Ongoing Annual Calendar of Events
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