2011 Accomplishments - 21 December, 2011

2011 Accomplishments

* A $500,000.00 restoration of the Millbrook Carriage Road was made possible with a New York State Environmental Protection Fund grant and matching private donation. Damage from floods, ice storms, foot, and bicycle traffic has led to the dangerous and critical deterioration of Minnewaska State Park Preserve’s 35 mile carriage road network. The restoration and maintenance of these critical recreation areas will ensure the continued conservation of this historic area. This project is an ongoing priority of the Commission. The carriage roads offer guests easy access to Minnewaska’s majestic scenery where they can enjoy the peaceful and natural environment as it was 100 years ago undisturbed by modern technology. These improvements are vital to the preservation of the history they represent.

* The Palisades Parks Conservancy provided funding for the replacement of fifteen cabin roofs at the Harriman State Park Group Camps. For the past 100 years the Harriman Group Camps have serviced over a million underprivileged children. By offering tents, cabins, waterfronts, and facilities, these camps became the essence of the social programs encouraged by the PIPC for the relief of the urban poor. For children of all ages and from all walks of life, these parklands have afforded a first opportunity to step away from city tumult to hike along majestic forest paths, climb scenic vistas, swim in peaceful lakes, invent delightful games, and set the spark to their first campfire.

* Restoration work on the Appalachian Trail All Persons Trail at Bear Mountain has been completed giving all access to the glorious views from the Bear Mountain summit.

* Renovations to PIPC's archive storage area, home to over 100,000 artifacts, continued with improvements made to storage and the catalogue.

* Several memorial benches and trees have been donated in memory of loved ones and placed at various locations throughout our parks.

* Through several grant awards, the Conservancy supported new initiatives, scientific research, and public programs including studies aimed at improving our land, habitat, and water resources.

* The Conservancy obtained funding for music and arts events throughout the Palisades parks.

* Enhanced programming at several historic sites benefitted from several grants issued by the Conservancy to our parks and historic sites, including a community performance of several Shakespearean plays and holiday events.

2011 Grants Received

* New York State Environmental Protection Fund grant to continue work to improve the Minnewaska Carriage Roads – in particular, the Hamilton Carriage road.

* New York State Environmental Protection Fund grant to restore the exterior of the Bear Mountain Inn and site.

* New York State Environmental Protection Fund grant to continue work on the Appalachian Trail in partnership with the NY-NJ Trail Conference and the Appalachian Scenic Trail National Park.

* National Scenic Byways funds to improve signs at the Palisades Parkway scenic overlooks in the NJ section.

* A donation from the Austin-Stokes Ancient Americas Foundation to continue the immense but important goal to preserve the Palisades Archives.

We hope you will consider making a year-end gift to the Palisades Parks Conservancy, Inc. to help ensure the preservation of these magnificent gifts. Together we can continue to protect and enhance the immense natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission so they can be enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for centuries to come.

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