Scenic Hudson Purchases Former Dominican Camp

Land to become vital component of shoreline trail, help fuel tourism economy

HYDE PARK--Scenic Hudson announced today that it has purchased the former Dominican Camp property in the Town of Hyde Park. The 72 prime riverfront acres are a crucial component of the organization's campaign to "save the land that matters most" throughout the Hudson Valley.

Located in the heart of the Estates District Scenic Area of Statewide Significance -- just a mile north of Vanderbilt National Historic Site and a half-mile south of Norrie State Park -- the wooded land provides a gateway to Hyde Park's historic treasures, serving as a buffer against encroaching development along Route 9. It allows creation of a long-planned Hudson shoreline trail -- a continuous pathway that will stretch from Norrie Point in Staatsburg to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Home & Library. And it protects views from public sites on the west shore, including Scenic Hudson's popular Black Creek Preserve directly across the river in Ulster County.

Land will provide new recreation opportunities

Although detailed plans for the property are not firm, specific amenities will be shaped with input from community partners, including town officials and residents. While most buildings on the site will be demolished, an 18th-century stone house -- perhaps the oldest in the town -- will be preserved.

"This magnificent property is a key part of the fabric of the mid-Hudson Valley. We're delighted to have protected it so people will have a new place to engage in recreation and enjoy spectacular views of the Hudson River and the ridgelines along the west shore," said Scenic Hudson President Ned Sullivan.

"This property was ripe for residential development, which could have increased taxes, added traffic to local roads and overburdened schools. With the development taking place elsewhere in the town, especially around the Culinary Institute of America, you need this type of conservation to strike a balance. And open space is crucial for attracting and retaining businesses in a competitive environment," added Mr. Sullivan.

"By preserving this land, we've guaranteed that Hyde Park's chief attractions will not be surrounded by unsightly strip malls or subdivisions that could turn visitors off. Tourism in Dutchess County pays $29 million in taxes annually and employs 10,000 people. Hyde Park's historic sites are a big part of this," said Senior Vice President Steve Rosenberg.

"I am very pleased for Scenic Hudson and look forward to working with them to preserve this wonderful property in a way that respects the environment and opens up a portion of the land on the river for the use of town residents," said Town of Hyde Park Supervisor Pompey Delafield.

Scenic Hudson a long-term investor in Hyde Park's future

Scenic Hudson has invested $7 million and 15 years working in Hyde Park on various projects. In 2004 it purchased 334 acres between Franklin Roosevelt's home and Eleanor's Val-Kill, protecting it from conversion into a shopping mall. Earlier this year, it transferred the land to the National Park Service, which plans to restore an old farm road running through the property for public use. At the time of the transfer, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne called this "the most important expansion of the FDR National Historic Site that will ever happen."

The organization also is working with the town and the National Park Service on exciting plans for 29 acres just north of the FDR home that Scenic Hudson purchased in 2000 to prevent construction of a Wal-Mart. Possibilities include a Hudson Valley Welcome Center -- a hub for tourists that will provide information about the region's historic sites, restaurants and lodging -- as well as a permanent pavilion for the community's popular farmers' market.

Purchase part of land-saving campaign

The purchase is part of Scenic Hudson's campaign to "save the land that matters most," protecting lands that earned the region Congressional designation as a National Heritage Area. With the help of government and other land-trust partners, the organization will preserve ridgelines, mountaintops, marshlands, tributary shorelines, farmland and legendary views that are critical to the region's iconic natural beauty and historic character.

"I'm delighted this land was among our first purchases in our 'land that matters most' campaign because it has everything we're looking to safeguard for future generations. It's lovely, it affords stunning views of the river and it's located along one of the Hudson Valley's most historic stretches. We're off to a great start," said Mr. Sullivan.

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. A crusader for the valley since 1963, we are credited with saving fabled Storm King Mountain from a destructive industrial project and launching the modern grass-roots environmental movement. Today with more than 10,000 ardent supporters, we are the largest environmental group focused on the Hudson River Valley. Our team of experts combines land acquisition, support for agriculture, citizen-based advocacy and sophisticated planning tools to create environmentally healthy communities, champion smart economic growth, open up riverfronts to the public and preserve the valley's inspiring beauty and natural resources. www.scenichudson.org

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