Newly Formed Friends of Fahnestock and Hudson Highlands State Parks Hosts Picnic
Over 200 people attended the Friends of Fahnestock and Hudson Highlands State Parks (FoFHH) picnic on Saturday, May 16th, at the Canopus Lake Beach/Winter Park area in Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park. Visitors from Long Island, New York City, Westchester County, and New Jersey joined area residents and state parks representatives and commissioners for an afternoon of enjoying the park and meeting other people who are passionate about supporting our local state parks. Participants enjoyed a barbeque lunch catered by the Taconic Outdoor Education Center along with live music by MotherLode, Dana Edelman, Stacy Labriola, and the debut outing of Wicker Pinch, featuring local musicians Andy Revkin, Patti Pelican, Terry Platz and Al Hemberger.
Guest speakers included Carol Ash, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP); Lucy Waletzky, M.D., Chair of the New York State Council of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation; and Congressman John Hall of New York's 19th Congressional District. Together they pointed out the difficult financial times we are currently experiencing and the great need for organizations such as FoFHH. Carol Ash pointed out the need to revitalize our parks as they have fallen into disrepair. Ms. Ash said that while it is important to continue to expand our park property, it is her goal to ensure a stable foundation and clean, solid, working infrastructure. Dr. Waletzky commented on how many organizations utilize Fahnestock State Park. She listed a dozen organizations and groups in attendance, such as the Putnam Horse Council, hikers represented by the New York/New Jersey Trail Conference, hunters represented by the Garrison Fish and Game Club and the Putnam County Sportsmen's Federation, birders, swimmers, mountain bikers, kayakers, the Taconic Outdoor Educational Facility, the Open Space Institute, Scenic Hudson, and the Hudson Highlands Land Trust. Congressman Hall spoke of how vital Fahnestock State Park is to the area's economy, bringing people not only from New York City but from outside the state to experience the Hudson Valley. He also touched on the environmental aspects of Fahnestock State Park and how with over twenty thousand acres of forest and woodlands, Fahnestock plays a vital role in the region's ecosystem, extending the forest matrix from Massachusetts through New York and into New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
The rain held off and all those who attended had the opportunity to enjoy pony rides sponsored by Manitou Farm, kayak demos by Atlantic Kayak Tours' Paddlesport Center, and displays by various groups that use the parks and neighboring areas for hunting, hiking, mountain biking, and other recreational activities. The Taconic Outdoor Education Center presented a "Skins and Skulls" table and other displays to acquaint children (and their parents and grandparents) with other denizens of the parks.
Bill Bauman, manager of Fahnestock and Hudson Highlands State Parks, was on hand to show visitors around the facilities and answer questions.
When participants signed in, they were invited to decorate their name badges with stick-on icons showing the different things people can do in the park (birding, snowshoeing, hiking, hunting, etc.); this proved as popular with adults as with the children. The organizer of the event, Karen Magerlein, said, "The stickers clearly show how all kinds of users can love the same park, and a person can use the park many different ways. Asking people how they used the park was easy and informative." Jane Daniels, President of FoFHH, complimented the group, saying, "I am delighted with the way our varied constituencies have worked together to put on this event, and we look forward to working with the parks to improve the facilities and recreational opportunities available to all of the people who come to the parks."
The Friends of Fahnestock and Hudson Highlands State Parks is a new organization, formed by individuals who use, enjoy and wish to support the largest area of land in our region protected by OPRHP. For more information or to become a member, please visit www.fofhh.org.
Photos:
Kayaking on Canopus Lake at the FoFHH Picnic
Please credit: Friends of Fahnestock and Hudson Highlands State Parks