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In an announcement on Thursday, Oct. 3, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul revealed the addition of 763 acres to Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park in Putnam and Dutchess counties.
The added acres will go towards meeting the state's goal of conserving 30 percent of its land and waters by 2030, Hochul said.
The land acquisition consists of a 530-acre parcel with a new access point for the park's recreational facilities and the long-distance Appalachian Trail, as well as a 233-acre property meant to enhance the park's trail network.
"Protecting open space and expanding our parks helps to improve the environment, create much-needed space for outdoor recreation, and resist climate change," Hochul said of the acquisitions, adding, "Our state parks are some of New York’s most-treasured resources, and I’m excited to expand Fahnestock State Park to better connect future generations with New York’s parklands.”
Both new parcels are located in the Highlands region, which was designated by the Highlands Conservation Act of 2004 providing federal assistance for land conservation projects. Half of the funding for purchasing the parcels came from this act, while the other half came from New York State's Environmental Protection Fund for a total of $3.64 million.
The expansion will help protect a large forest patch and important wildlife habitat, officials said.
Thanks to the new land parcels, the park now spans 15,638 acres. It has hiking trails, picnic areas, scenic campgrounds, and areas for boating, hunting, fishing, and birding.
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