Over 500 acres along Hudson River to be transformed into public park

The Quarry Waters Property, looking north. Photo by Pierce Johnston.

Scenic Hudson, the local land and farm preservation group, recently announced the acquisition of 508 acres along the Hudson River in the City of Kingston and Town of Ulster.

The land, which was once a cement mine and processing facility, was slated to be turned into a 1,682-unit mixed-use development. Instead, Scenic Hudson will work to turn the site into a new public park, with “260 acres of woodland, more than a mile of Hudson Riverfront offering sweeping views, a dramatic cliff and ridgeline, and 37 acres of wetlands.” There are also numerous structures on the site that will be considered to be redeveloped for public use in the future.

The site will also offer access to the new Empire State Trail next fall, which will traverse from the Hutton Brickyards property north through East Kingston to the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge, and the new pedestrian path across the river.

The property is closed to the public at this time until Scenic Hudson can determine any safety assessments to the site.

“We have long protected the Hudson Valley’s rural landscapes, including working farms, for all to enjoy, while also restoring brownfield sites in Hudson River communities. This acquisition represents Scenic Hudson’s most ambitious undertaking in its history to transform a former industrial site on the Hudson into a community asset in an urban setting. ”

— Scenic Hudson President Ned Sullivan

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