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New State Park Named for Scenic Hudson Leader Franny Reese - 17 October, 2009
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Emily Stewart
Poughkeepsie Journal
October 17, 2009
HIGHLAND - A steep staircase at the end of Haviland Road leads to a path under the Mid-Hudson Bridge. From there, follow yellow markers and you'll be in New York's newest state park.
The approximately 250-acre property, now called Franny Reese State Park, was bought by the Scenic Hudson Land Trust and given to the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
The park officially opened Friday, though its series of trails have been used for years by those in the know.
It is named after the late environmental leader Frances "Franny" Reese, a Hughsonville resident who, in the 1960s and '70s, helped prevent Consolidated Edison from building a power-storage facility on Cornwall's Storm King Mountain, a move that would have drastically altered the appearance of the Hudson River Valley.
An early legal battle in the fight over Storm King yielded the Scenic Hudson Decision, which established the right of residents to sue to protect their natural resources.
The park contains roughly 2 1/2 miles of trails with vistas of the Hudson River and the City of Poughkeepsie. It also connects with the Walkway Loop Trail, a 3.6-mile path to and over the Walkway Over the Hudson.
There are two parking areas for Franny Reese. One is at the end of Haviland Road, off Route 9W just north of the Mid-Hudson Bridge. The other is also off Route 9W on Macks Lane, just south of the bridge.
An estimated 50 people came to the opening Friday, which featured speakers and an official ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Ned Sullivan, president of Scenic Hudson, spoke about the creation of the park and Reese's involvement with the organization.
Reese is known as the "mother of the modern environmental movement ... and a champion of the environment in the Hudson Valley," he said. "She's also a dear friend of ours."
Reese's son, Alex Reese, 56, of Hughsonville, also spoke.
"On behalf of my mother, I know she would say she didn't deserve this. There are many other heroes of the environmental movement, many of them here today," he said. "She would, however, be pleased to have her name associated with trees, rocks ... and the preservation and enjoyment of nature."
Reese died in 2003, the year Scenic Hudson Land Trust bought the property. It was purchased from private owners in two parcels of about 225 and 25 acres.
In 2006, Scenic Hudson sold the land to the state, but remained responsible for developing the trails and managing the park.
Alan Van De Bogart, 55, a Highland resident, attended the opening with his two silky terriers , Rascal and Scamp.
Van De Bogart said he's been walking the trails for several years, before they were marked paths.
"It's good for an invigorating walk," he said. "I don't think you have to have a special occasion to come out here."
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