Minnewaska State Park Preserve Master Plan
Public Information Meetings
and 30 Day Review Period

Meeting Dates
July 8th and 10th, 2008

Summary of Comments Received

Prepared on August 26, 2008


David A. Paterson
Governor

Carol Ash
Commissioner
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Table of Contents

Table of Contents 2
Introduction 2
Summary of Pubic Comments 3-10

The content of this section will be based on the categories developed for the comments received. Categories may include topics such as: Infrastructure, Recreational Activities, Planning Process or Plan Content, Natural Resources; Cultural Resources.

Addendum 11
INFORMATION PACKET……………………………………………………………… 11-20
Introduction

As part of the process of producing a Master Plan for Minnewaska State Park Preserve, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) held public information meetings on July 8th and 10th, 2008.

During that meeting several OPRHP staff members participated in a presentation that described the master plan process, the current goals and objectives of the agency, and the history of Minnewaska State Park Preserve. An information packet with more detailed information was available and is attached as an addendum to this summary.

Most importantly the meeting provided the opportunity for public input to the master plan. This opportunity was given, at the meeting, by inviting oral comments at the time of the meeting and/or written comments to be received at OPRHP on or before August 11, 2008. Many people spoke at the meeting and their comments were captured by OPRHP staff on flip charts. These captured comments were then transcribed and categorized by the planning team working on the Minnewaska State Park Preserve Master Plan.

During the comment period the agency has received over three hundred comments by postal mail and email. Those comments have also been categorized.

The following is a summary of the comments received at the Public Information Meeting and the written comments received during the comment period. Please note that comments continue to come to the OPRHP office, but those received after the close of the comment period are not included in this summary.

Summary of Pubic Comments


Protection and Preservation
Several comments were submitted concerning the preservation and protection of Minnewaska. The overlying theme of the letters suggested minimal or no development and the continuation of current practices. Several letters requested an increase in protection. The comments included:

. Preservation should be number one priority. Keep it as a preserve.
- Do not provide amenities that will encourage new users to come to the park
- No motorized vehicles/RV camping/ATV/Snowmobile access should be provided in park.
- Putting park into a forever wild preservation mode is bad for the land and bad for the people.
- Park should look into viewshed protection opportunities.
- Educate neighboring land owners to the park on invasive species and methods to reduce the impact to the park.
-Continue the removal of the Japanese Stilt grass and other invasive species.
- Retain, protect and respect Minnewaska’s status as a Park Preserve where conservation and research are valued as much as recreational use. Recreational use of the park should always be balanced with ecological protection, research, and education. Recreational uses of MSPP should remain largely at no more than current levels and types.
- Return the park to its full Park Preserve status and employ full-time research and environmental education staff and programming.
- Research pre-park conditions to create a base line at the major impact sites within the park using Mohonk Preserve data.
- Monitor current impacts to site to guide necessary mitigations and upgrades that must occur continuously at the park.
- The park needs to preserve rock the shelters and archeological resources.
- Encouraging people to use preserved areas will increase the general public’s awareness to conserve and protect these areas and increases the volunteer base on which to draw from.
- Improve deer management within the park to promote better forest understory conditions and conserve the parks rich biodiversity.
- Provide a fire management plan for Preserve.

Lake Habitat
The diving comments focused on the research, monitoring, and preservation of the historic and existing conditions and the protection of specific habitat. Restoration of the lake bottom habitat was discussed to remove shale and sand deposited from the carriage road and the beach areas.

- Create a scientific commission to monitor the park, having particular focus on the lakes.
- Plan should evaluate the impacts of the fish that are now present and determine how they entered the lake.
- A study should verify the population health and reduce factors causing any decline in the numbers of the A. trinitense, water moss, the two lined and northern red salamanders.
- Study should examine the effects of the use of crushed shale adjacent to the lake and stream beds on the water clarity and ph. Study should address removing shale from water and reducing it’s impact on lake.
- Verify and if necessary reduce the impact of the eroding beach sand onto the lake bottom.
- Determine the impact of SCUBA diving.

Safety
The main focus of the comments concerning safety related to highway 44/55 as it comes through the main use area of the preserve.
-; Safety along Highway 44/55 at the park entrance needs to be evaluated and considered in the plan.
- Provide cross walks and pedestrian crossing signs at the high Peterskill trail crossing at 44/55 and the access to the falls trail near the Peterskill parking lot.
- Lower speed limit on highway to 30 or 40 mph through park.
- The cyclists on carriage roads travel at reckless speeds passing hikers quickly and creating an unsafe situation.

Economic Stimulus
A variety of comments were suggesting opportunities to stimulate the local economy through recreational means to providing connectivity to surrounding communities.
- Provide a connection to the future D&H Canal Trail.
- Provide a new park entrance to park at the Smiley Carriageway.
- Providing single track cycling trails will stimulate local economy for cycling shops, restaurants and hotels.
∑ Providing more climbing opportunities will continue to stimulate local economy.
- Ellenville/Wawarsing need tourism from park users. A petition with over 200 signatures in support of the D&H trail construction was provided.
- Provide a picnic area on park property along the D&H trail or the Rondout Creek to correspond with the Sullivan Wawarsing Rural Economic Area Partnership master plan.
- Increased visitation to park brings more funding to State.
- Skiers help support the local economy in the off season.

Sustainability/Health
Comments concerning sustainability focused on reducing the quantity of driving to the park from either the surrounding communities, for vacations or from the Mohonk Preserve. Comments on health suggested the promotion of activities which promote a healthy lifestyle.
- Provide a shuttle service to New Paltz.
- Promote healthy active recreation to reduce the obesity rate and get people out of the house.
- Encourage opportunities for close to home vacationing to save fuel and money.
- Provide transportation shuttle from thruway and Mohonk to Minnewaska.
- Provide local access to park to reduce travel.

Park Facilities
The comments and suggestions concerning park facilities were very diverse. There was an over all theme to many of the comments suggesting very minimal development at the park.
- Provide parking near Stony Kill Falls.
- Berme Road Park should be promoted as an official trail head for park access.
- Official parking and access point should be established near the intersection of Mine Hollow Road and Foordmore Road in Kerhonkson, thus facilitating access to the Shevchenko parcel.
- Expand parking at the intersection of Jenny Lane with Route 44/55 for group hikes and trail maintenance activities.
- Do not provide any more paved roads, buildings, comfort amenities or electrical lines.
-Provide better signage at the lower Awosting parking lot.
- Provide park maps that clearly identify features and structures and have corresponding signage at features and structures identifying what the feature or structure is.
∑ Create a picnic area near the lower Awosting parking lot for people who have to park there.
- Do not provide camping or over night facilities. Work with DEC and other organizations to try and offer camping opportunities.
- Provide tent campground.
- Trail head parking lots should be located in a way that preserves wilderness feel to land.
- Provide more ecologically friendly, nicer smelling porta-potties.
- Develop improved restroom facilities.
- Provide maps that can be easily photo copied and handed out at the entrance points to park.
- Provide more interpretive/educational kiosks that support the preserve status.
- Provide camping in the Jenny Lane area.
- Provide and amphitheater in the park.
- Maximize the utilization of the Phillips house on the lake.
- Provide a full service campground for RV&#'s.
∑ Allow for the use of credit cards within park office and fee booths.
- Provide new facilities at the top of Minnewaska.
- Improve signage through park and trails.
- Provide additional park staffing at the preserve to provide a continued high level of service.

Hours of operation
Comments concerning the hours of operation focused on earlier morning access.
- Expand the hours of operation during the summer months.

Partnerships/Volunteerism
Several groups were looking to “give back” to the preserve though volunteering and partnering.

- Cyclist would like to volunteer to lay-out, build, patrol and maintain trails.
- Climbers plan to continue to volunteer in the "adopt a crag" efforts supporting terrain maintenance, trash pickup and access development if permitted.
- Create a study group from the interest groups and citizens to assist in the planning process.
- Hikers would like to volunteer to be “ridgerunners or summit stewards who are empowered to dispense back country advice and policies to park users.
- Create a plan for using more volunteer resources at preserve.
- A friends group needs to be established.
- Continue collaboration between various organizations on the ridge

Hunting and Fishing
Hunting, fishing and deer management comments primarily focused on the increase of opportunities within the park either though an expanded season or the hunting of animals other than deer. Several comments mentioned deer hunting as an ecological management strategy.
- Fishing should be allowed in all lakes.
∑ Prevent the introduction of fish in lakes.
-Hunting should be allowed in all seasons for deer, black bear and other wild animals.
- Do not allow hunting in the park.
- Hunting provides food for local residents.
-- Park land should not be closed to hiking but open to hunters.
- Expand hunting hours to allow for early morning/evening hunting.
- Allow for trapping.
- Eliminate permits for hunting.
- Provide local access points for hunting opportunities
- Work with sportsman club in master planning study group.

Climbing
Comments on climbing consisted primarily of the expansion of rock climbing and allowing ice climbing as a winter recreation. The creation of a climbing management plan, an impact study of the Peterskill area and partnership opportunities with the climbing community were also suggested.

- Provide expanded rock climbing opportunities throughout park.
- Ice climbing is a low impact and separate sport from rock climbing, Please provide ice climbing opportunities.
- Provide a climbing management plan for entire park similar to how DEC manages climbing in the Catskills and the Adirondacks.
- A climbing management plan for park should be created within two years of the initial adoption of the master plan.
- Please provide a back country permit system.
- Providing more climbing opportunities at Minnewaska would remove some of the pressure on the local land areas of Peters Kill and the Trapps / Near Trapps by spreading out the climbing activities.
- A complete inventory of potentially climbable escarpments should be conducted as part of the revised Master Plan.
- A study should be conducted showing the use of the Peterskill area and the environmental impacts. Study should include the economic impact climbing has had on the area.
- Do not allow guides to lead climbing groups.
-The climbing community has proven to be good stewards of the land at Peterskill and would like greater access opportunities at Minnewaska.
-No groups should be allowed larger than three to reduce impact to land.
- Obligate climbers to carry an environmental human waste disposal bag. This could be provided as part of the fee.
- The need for additional climbing access seems a stretch.
- Create partnership with climbing community to provide education and interpretation for climbers on resource management, stewardship and low impact skills and ethics.
-Eliminate permit system for climbing.

Swimming
Swimming comments focused on providing greater opportunities for distance swimming with expanded hours and season along with the request to allow open swimming on the lakes.

- Provide greater opportunities for distance swimmers within lakes.
- Allow for open swimming at lakes.
- Allow swimming at Tillson Lake.
-Allow for a longer swimming season for distance swimming at least to mid September.
- Allow for longer daily swimming hours .



Trails
Comments concerning trails were very diverse requesting the creation of a new trail map, trail head kiosks and new linkages to existing trails. There were also comments requesting trail construction on the recent acquisitions to the preserve and creation of new trail heads.
- Provide improved trail signage and trail head kiosks, specific recommendations made for a trail map at the lower Awosting lot and on trail system.
- Create new trail map.
- Provide trail heads closer to newly acquired properties to relieve pressure on existing trail heads and improve access to land.
- Adopt and promote currently used unofficial parking areas that provide access to trails as official trail heads.
- Officially re-designate the following as trails open to the public; Smiley Carriageway, Stony Kill Falls Carriageway, High Point Carriageway from Lake Maratanza loop road to the intersection of the Red Trail in the vicinity of High Point. The old Red Trail between Berme Road Park and High Point Carriageway, The Tombstone Trail, Mine Hollow Road from the Smiley Carriageway to Foordemore Road.
- A trail should link Lake Minnewaska with the Awosting Reserve.
- A trail should be established to link Awosting Reserve with Lake Awosting via Spruce Glen.
- A trail should be established to link Awosting Reserve with the Long Path at Mud Pond.
- The historic trails to the Upper and Lower Palmaghatt Falls and Palmaghatt Ravine should be reopened.
- The optimal goal is to design and build such trails for multiple uses to get more user access and utilization.
- Create ridge-wide sign plan to provide consistency between various land managers.
- Provide more trails to scenic vista points.
- Eliminate permits for equestrian use on carriage roads.
- Provide more suitable parking facilities for horse trailers for Smiley Road access.
- Open Hamilton Point trail soon.
- Doing a good job with carriage roads but park needs more rangers and maintenance workers.
- Create an honor fee system for trail access.
- Use carriage roads as fire breaks for burn plan.
- In an era in which obesity, diabetes, hypertension and other illnesses related to sedentary living are increasing rapidly, those trail users who, under their own power, run, walk, bike or climb on NYS lands should be encouraged to do so as part of benefitting their own health but also contributing toward the economic health of a state in which health care costs are increasing so fast that they are indirectly taking away from the DEC's funding to manage those lands.
Skiing/Snowshoeing/Winter use
Winter recreational comments primarily requested the expanded use of trails for skiing and better grooming of carriage roads.
-Expand grooming of winter trails.
- Provide better grooming of trails. A snow cat groomer would provide a much higher quality grooming and easy winter rescue.
- Increase the quantity of trails allowed for cross country skiing through park.
- In winter offer discounts for entrance by cars with more than one or two occupants.
- The Hamilton Point Carriageway should remain ungroomed and open to skiers on a one-way basis only - uphill, towards Hamilton Point.


Cycling
The cycling community as a whole provided comments concerning access to either new or existing “single track” trails.
- Allow for single track trails on the Awosting property to complement the existing carriage roads. Cyclists would construct trails in accordance with U.S. Forest Service guidelines, using established and respected International Mountain Bicycle Association (IMBA) techniques.
- Allow cycling on existing hiking trails as it is scientifically proven in multiple studies to be compatible a compatible use and equally impactful to the environment as hiking.
- Create a separate trail head for cycling/trail use to reduce congestion at existing parking lots.
- Cycling is a healthful activity that has low impact on properly designed and maintained trails, similar to hiking.
- The closing of the Hamilton Point Carriageway to bicycles should be made permanent because of user conflict.
- Cyclists are willing and excited to work with park staff to construct a sustainably built, well-designed contour trail system takes people into nature while safeguarding the environment.
- Do not provide single track trails for cyclists.
- Use DEC recent policy on trail access to public land which states that cyclists are allowed to use single track trails unless specifically signed otherwise.
- Survey results show that the average mountain bicyclists do not reflect the image portrayed by a Mountain Dew television commercial. Due to exaggeration and stereotyping by the media, the perception that some sports are a liability is often not based on reality. Proper trail design and signage is the basic foundation of any risk management plan devised to minimize injuries and ensure a safe and fun experience for all trail users.
- Cyclists provide increased “eyes and ears” security in the more remote areas of the Park and can get assistance quickly if needed.
- Please provide equal access for cyclists.
- Cyclists willing to create a regular trail stewardship program and patrol for trails.
- Allow for cycling on the Smiley Carriage road.

Hiking
Hiking suggestions primarily requested the creation of new trails, the opening of historically used trails, creating trail heads or providing connectivity between trails or locations.
- Provide more hiking trails.
- Open historic hiking trails and carriageways.
- Cyclists should not be allowed on hiking trails. Consider approving new, multi-use single track trails.
- The Long Path should be returned to its original route on the southeast side of Mud Pond (currently, the trail follows the northwest side of the pond).
- Move the Long Path from the Smiley Carriageway to Berme Road.
- Open park earlier during summer months to allow for early morning hiking before the heat of the day.
- Provide more hiking trails/ Open historic hiking trails.
- Provide a firm timeline for reopening the Jenny Lane Trail/Long Path.
- Provide more trailhead options for hikers away from development and park activity.




Disk Golf
The request was made to provide a disk golf course for users.
- Provide disk golf course at Wildmere site.

Motorized Vehicle Access
The motorized vehicle access comments focused either on providing snowmobile access to the carriage roads and not allowing motorized vehicle access.
- Provide recreational and emergency service access for snowmobiles on trails.
- Do no allow any motorized vehicle access in preserve.

Other comments
Comments that did not fit easily into a specific category were included below.
-Do not raise prices to enter park.
- Turn downtown New Paltz to pedestrian only and construct a bypass to park.
- Each resident of the surrounding towns should have a lifetime of free passes to the park.
- Local residents should freely be allowed to engage in all manner of sport that is conducive to this type of terrain: Hunting, fishing, hiking, swimming, biking, horseback riding, skiing, climbing, snowmobiling, ATV riding, golf and any other sport.
- Allow local residents to collect fire wood from fallen trees.
- Install “no smoking” signs in park.
- The State of New York should participate in the funding and building of a linear park for hikers and bikers on their property along the rail trail. A large parking lot is available on the trail in Kerhonkson and parking is abundant in Ellenville and Napanoch.
-The state should cooperate and collaborate with the Town of Wawarsing's D&H Trail project manager and the design consultant of the trail on the creation of a creek side - Allow all user groups to participate in a study group including but not limited to; preservation, climbing, cycling, hunting, motor vehicles, hiking, swimming, skiing/snow shoeing, disk golf, diving, local land managers and local governments.
-Getting more people out to appreciate nature creates a broader volunteer base to draw upon when help is needed to maintain trails or preserve habitats from invasive plants or other threats.
-Explain how OPRHP and the PIPC interact and manage the preserve. Does OPRHP manage a non-PIPC park differently? This should be identified in the master plan.
-Plan should include information on deed restrictions and easements.
-Plan should describe the history of the park preserve status and how it is managed differently from a non-preserve status park.
-Plan should describe OPRHP policy on prescribed burns and for handling wild fires.
-Plan should include the local government setting and the role in managing the park, this would include local emergency services, property tax and cooperation between State agencies and governments.
-Include the entire history of the land in the plan.
-Plan should include a comprehensive fire management program.
-Provide better access opportunities to Awosting Falls for disabled individuals.
-Vehicle access to park is haphazard and consequently, a large part of the park in inaccessible
- Limit access to park.
- Manage automobile traffic in cooperation with Mohonk.
-Create arts programming in the interpretation program and an artists in residence program.
-Provide more direct access to the Awosting area.
- Designate the Awosting Reserve as the Bradley Preserve.
-Use past studies in current master plan.
- Provide better education on the carry in/carry out policy.
- Need to access weekend traffic congestion/patterns.
-New properties need to be evaluated for access, recreation, etc.
-Advertise the park better.
- A park access reservation system should be considered.
- Assist with the coexistence of all user groups.
-Work with Wawarsing and Ulster Counties on connectivity to park land.



Addendum
INFORMATION PACKET for
DRAFT MASTER PLAN and
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
July 8, 2008 6:30 pm
New Paltz
July 10, 2008 6:30 pm
Ellenville








David A. Paterson
Governor

Carol Ash
Commissioner
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Meeting Agenda

1. Introductions and Welcoming Remarks
2. Overview and Timeline of the Planning Process
3. Overview of the Park
4. Public Input
5. Next Steps

Agency Themes

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) has developed new Priority Themes and Initiatives that will help guide the agency’s activities. These new priorities are;
∑ Revitalizing our Parks and Historic Sites
∑ Natural resource stewardship and interpretation
∑ Creating connections.
∑ Sustainability
The master plan for Minnewaska State Park Preserve is part of an accelerated planning initiative that will advance these themes, and determine the best course of action to preserve and utilize park resources for this and future generations.

Introduction

Minnewaska State Park Preserve distinguished by its unique natural character, scenic vistas and is noted for its historical carriageways, resort era history and recreational resources. The park offers a multitude of traditional recreational opportunities such as hiking, bicycling, swimming, picnicking, boating, walking, bird watching, rock climbing, bouldering, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. The park also offers a variety of educational and interpretive programs for groups and park patrons throughout the year.

The purpose of this public information meeting is to actively invite public participation and involvement in the planning process. Public participation will help OPRHP in identifying issues, concerns and alternatives as well as determining the depth to which each of the topics is explored within the Draft Master Plan/Draft Environmental Impact Statement(DEIS). It is important to provide public input opportunities now and throughout the planning process to encourage identification of the compelling issues to be addressed within this planning effort.

This information packet and the public information meeting are intended to provide the public with a concise overview of Minnewaska State Park Preserve, the setting, the resources and the issues identified to this point. Additionally the meeting is designed to provide an opportunity for public input at an early stage in the master planning process





Overview

The existence of Minnewaska State Park Preserve (Park) stands as testimony to the desire of New York State and the Palisades Interstate Park Commission (PIPC) to preserve a tract of land of extraordinary qualities. It is a reflection of the dual mission of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) to be a responsible steward of these resources and to make accessible the recreational and interpretive resources of the State. It recognizes the potential accessibility of the Park to millions of people living in the urbanized metropolitan areas, as well as the natural attributes that require dedicated and careful stewardship and protection if it is to retain its integrity.
Minnewaska State Park Preserve is currently comprised of 20,103 acres of principally forested land and lakes located along the Shawangunk Mountain Range (the Shawangunks) in the towns of Rochester, Wawarsing and Gardiner in Ulster County, New York. The Shawangunks are noted for their spectacular rock formations, soaring precipices, panoramic views, windswept ledges, pine barrens, fast flowing mountain streams, mountain lakes, and scenic waterfalls. The Park contains three lakes: Lake Minnewaska, Lake Awosting and Lake Haseco (also known as Mud Pond). The remnants of 19th and early 20th century carriageways wind for miles through these forested lands, and connect the various portions of the Park. The quality of the lakes, the steep, stark cliffs and natural ridge lines singly, and in combination, form one of the most scenic and biologically unique resources in New York State.
The complex history of the land that constitute Minnewaska State Park Preserve form a compelling backdrop for the Master Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) processes. Since the late 1800s, the lands that constitute Minnewaska State Park Preserve has evolved from a substantial resort function in a semi-wilderness setting to their current status as a limited day use facility, under state jurisdiction, with an intact infrastructure of carriageways and trails extending from the core of the former resort at Lake Minnewaska to its most remote extremes. State involvement in Minnewaska State Park Preserve dates to 1969, and through a combination of acquisitions, deed restrictions, and easements and, most recently, through the purchase of over 8,000 acres, has grown to encompass over 20,000 acres of forests, cliffs and watercourses.

Timeline

1972 State completes purchase 6725 acres around Awosting.
1987 State purchases Minnewaska property.
1993 As part of the previous master plan, Minnewaska State Park is designated Minnewaska State Park Preserve (MSPP) under Article 20 of New York State Parks, Recreation Historic Preservation Law.
2003 – 2006 Property acquisitions expanded the park by more than 8,000 acres.
2008 Wild fire burns through portions of park.



Environmental Setting

Minnewaska State Park is located on a beautiful site on the Shawangunk Ridge. It is an area of diverse natural and cultural qualities, capable of providing a wide range of recreational activities. Its history - particularly development of the 19th century resort complex around Lake Minnewaska in contrast with the larger. undeveloped parkland to the west -- essentially defines present usage. The Lake Minnewaska area generally sees the highest level of activity, largely due to its convenient access and proximity to Route 44/55, while smaller numbers of visitors travel to the Lake Awosting area, 3 miles to the west. The easy accessibility of Lake Minnewaska and the extensive carriageway system that links it to the rest of the Park, dates back to the earlier use of the property as a resort complex.

Natural Resources

Ecological Communities

The northern Shawangunk Ridge is home to more than 30 rare plant and animal species and supports more than 35 natural communities, five of them globally rare. The Nature Conservancy designated the ridge as one of Earth’s "Last Great Places" for landscape-level biodiversity conservation. The Park has a diversity of habitat types including “dwarf pine ridges”, wetlands, ice caves, cliffs and talus slopes, slabrock barrens, ravines, old-growth forests, and oligotrophic lakes. Different plant communities are distributed along the soil moisture gradient from the forests of sheltered, moist ravines to barrens and scrub on exposed rock. The dwarf pine ridge community is particularly rare, with a Natural Heritage biosphere classification rating of G-1 (critically imperiled globally). This community has been established by conditions that include soil infertility, drought, and exposure, and its plants have adapted to survive periodic fires. Without periodic fire there can be serious consequences, including successional change to a different type of community and/or an intense and destructive fire due to the accumulation of combustible material.

Flora and Fauna

The dwarf pine ridges support heath meadows in disturbed areas and prairie grasses which are thought to be remnants from an interglacial period. The Park is rich in old growth stands of trees, including some of the oldest pitch pines in the world and hemlocks several hundred years old, as well as the largest tract of chestnut oak forest in the state. Important trees include chestnut oak, red oak, red maple, sugar maple, sassafras, tupelo, black birch, beech, hemlock, white pine, and pitch pine. Common shrubs and understory trees include mountain laurel, striped maple, flowering dogwood, witch-hazel, shadbush, scrub oak, low blueberry, huckleberry, raspberry, mapleleaf viburnum, and American chestnut sprouts. Black bears, bobcats, foxes, fishers, timber rattlesnakes, spotted salamanders, and more than 200 species of birds can all be found in the Park. There are three species of plants or animals found in the Park that are listed as endangered within New York State, five species listed as threatened, and one species of special concern.

Topography and Soils

Minnewaska State Park is located along the dramatic Shawangunk mountain ridge, geologically separate from the nearby Catskill Mountains. The terrain is rugged and rocky with spectacular rock formations, soaring ledges, streams, lakes, and waterfalls. The broad ridgetop within the Park is several miles long, reaching its highest elevation of 2289 feet at the western end. The Park descends to below 300 feet on its northwestern side and below 400 feet on its southeastern side. Soils in the Park are generally acidic, shallow, and nutrient-poor. They provide little buffering capacity, are easily eroded, and contain erosion-resistant quartzite conglomerate rock. There is little highly fertile soil. The soils are generally unsuitable for septic tanks, tile fields, and similar sanitary drainage devices.




Water Resources

There are three high-elevation water bodies within the Park: Lake Minnewaska, Lake Awosting, and Mud Pond (Haseco Lake). Lake Maratanza is further along the ridge in Sam’s Point Preserve and was enlarged by human activity. These lakes are all highly acidic, resulting in water with extreme clarity and little aquatic life. Mud Pond is very shallow in comparison, with a maximum depth of four feet. Tillson Lake, created by damming the Palmaghatt Kill below the southeastern side of the ridge, was part of the Awosting Reserve which was recently added to the Park. Several streams drain the ridgetop. Four major ones flow northward down the ridge and into the Rondout Creek: Peters Kill, Stony Kill, Sanders Kill, and Coxing Kill. The Palmaghatt Kill flows southward down the ridge and then eastward into Tillson Lake and the Wallkill River.

Cultural Resources

Historic Viewing Points
Visitors to Lake Minnewaska during the Resort Period were treated to a number of spectacular views from a series of viewing points and overlooks. Typically these observation points were of two different kinds. Most impressive among these were the spectacular long distance vistas and easterly, 180 degree panoramas over the Walkill and Hudson Valley landscapes toward the Taconic and Berkshire Mountains beyond. The easterly view from some of these points was further enhanced by equally dramatic views of the Catskill Mountains to the west.
The large scale, long distance views from most, if not all, of these observation points are still available to Park visitors today. Because of their location on precarious precipices well above the treetops of the foreground woodlands, these views have not been intruded upon and closed off by unmanaged woodland growth.

A single gazebo remains from the earlier resort period which still accommodate the visitor to the Park much as they did in earlier times.

Historic Roads and Trails
The historic landscape of Lake Minnewaska and vicinity was laced with an extensive network of horse drawn carriageways and pedestrian paths. Many of these routes were located along the top of precipitous escarpments adjacent to the Palmaghatt Gorge or along the eastern front of the northern Shawangunks. Accordingly, they provided access to the spectacular viewpoints mentioned above as well as to the more intimate sequences of natural landscape scenery which are also available from these routes.

Archaeological
According to OPHRP Historic Preservation records, some areas of the park are considered archeologically sensitive. The newly acquired areas will require further investigation.

Scenic Resources

The landscape associated with the Park and the Shawangunk Ridge provides a wide variety of features of significant visual and scenic value:
∑ Scenic viewpoints;
∑ Lakes, ponds and seasonal water bodies, streams and waterfalls;
∑ Wilderness areas;
∑ Rock ledges, escarpments and extremely steep slopes;
∑ Vegetation communities.

An important characteristic of these resources is the wide variation in the forms of these resources which can be seen from within the confines of the Park. These include a variety of water features, a wide range of forest, woodland and other vegetation communities, and many different rock formations. Many of these features are rare if not unique to the region and constitute a spectacular visual resource.

Recreational Resources

∑ Interpretive/education programs
∑ Carriageways (multiple use)
∑ Footpath trails
∑ Peterskill climbing area
∑ Picnic areas
∑ Swimming area
∑ Distance swimming area
∑ Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing
∑ Hunting
∑ Passive activities (sightseeing, birding)
∑ SCUBA Diving
∑ Special events

Infrastructure

A clear assessment of the existing structures, roads, parking and utilities requirements needs to be conducted in the master planning process. The current infrastructure is not adequate for the demands which are placed upon the park

∑ Existing Buildings
∑ Roads and Parking Areas
∑ Water and Sewer
∑ Heating
∑ Electricity
∑ Phone/Internet
∑ Solid Waste
∑ Recycling

Operations

∑ Park Staff
∑ Park Headquarters
∑ Maintenance
∑ Emergency Operations
∑ Sustainability

Sustainability

∑ “Green” Buildings
∑ Energy Alternatives
o Sky lights
∑ Transportation Alternatives
o Bike Patrols
∑ Solid Waste and Recycling
o Carry-in/Carry-out
∑ Water Usage
o Self Composting Toilets
∑ Efficiency

Public Input

You’re information and suggestions are important in the master planning process. The information gathered at tonight’s meeting provides us with a valuable component and will be reviewed and considered before determining master plan alternatives that meet the needs and mission of the park


Preliminary list of items to be addressed in master plan

∑ Access To Park
∑ ADA Compliance
∑ Archaeology Resources
∑ Beach/Swimming
∑ Boundary Encroachments
∑ Camping
∑ Climbing
∑ Education/Interpretive Programs (ex. BCA)
∑ Hunting
∑ Infrastructure Needs
∑ Invasive Species Management
∑ Maintenance of facilities (trails, carriageways, structures)
∑ Main use area/Entrance design
∑ Nature/Visitor’s Center New Recreational Trends
∑ Partnerships (SRBP/Friends Groups)
∑ Potable Water
∑ Property Acquisitions/Connectivity
∑ Public Safety and Security
∑ Preservation – Natural and Cultural
∑ Recently Purchased Properties – future uses
∑ Sewage/waste management
∑ Shale Sources For Carriageways
∑ Sustainability
∑ Traffic and Parking
∑ Trails and Carriageways


Next Steps

The issues, concerns and alternatives identified at the public information meeting and through written comments will be summarized and made available. The Draft Master Plan/Draft EIS will address these issues. Further opportunities for public input may take place during the preparation of the Draft EIS/Draft Master Plan. Public review of this document will include a public hearing and public comment/review period. Comments made during this time will be considered in the preparation of the Final EIS/Final Master Plan. After the issuance of the final plan and a public consideration period, a findings statement will be issued along with the Commissioner’s decision regarding adoption of the plan.
Comment and suggestion forms are available at the sign in area.

Master Plan Timeline

Public Information Meetings July 8 and 10, 2008
Draft Plan/Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) January 2009
Hearing March 2009
Final Plan/Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) June 2009
Findings and Adoption June 2009

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