Scenic Hudson and State Parks Celebrate Ribbon Cutting for New Park Honoring Environmental Leader

Public-private partnership will oversee new park

LLOYD, ULSTER COUNTY -- Scenic Hudson and New York State Parks Commissioner Carol Ash hosted a groundbreaking ceremony today to officially open a new state park celebrating the legacy of Frances "Franny" Reese, a Scenic Hudson leader for four decades who helped launch the modern environmental movement. Franny Reese State Park boasts 250 acres atop bluffs that rise dramatically from the Hudson River and offers expansive views and opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, picnicking and birding. With its connections to Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park via the Walkway Loop Trail, the park will provide economic stimulus by broadening local tourism and enhancing quality of life that is so important for attracting and retaining business.

Pioneer of modern environmental movement

Ms. Reese (1917-2003) joined forces with a handful of others during the 1960s to wage a 17-year crusade to save legendary Storm King Mountain. An early legal battle in the campaign yielded the Scenic Hudson Decision, credited with establishing the right of residents to bring lawsuits to protect their natural resources and launching the modern grass-roots environmental movement. A resident of Hughsonville, Dutchess County, she has been hailed as "the mother of the modern environmental movement," and her vision helped Scenic Hudson and partners take on emerging challenges -- air and water pollution in the 1970s; land preservation, parks creation and community planning in the 1980s; and inappropriate development that threatened to spoil the region's beauty and economic opportunity.

Improvements create park befitting Franny Reese's contributions

The 250-acre state park -- site of a 19th-century estate -- is located along a prominent ridgeline just south of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Mid-Hudson Bridge. Using its own funds and a $200,000 grant from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), Scenic Hudson developed the park. Scenic Hudson's park-design experts were able to restore the landscape's natural beauty and enhance views from the property. Scenic Hudson upgraded the trail system, which includes an historic carriage road, and planted native flowers and shrubs. The group constructed benches at a scenic overlook and created exhibits about the site's history and natural wonders as well as the unique story of Franny Reese. Visitors access the overlook, high above the Hudson, by a path beneath the Mid-Hudson Bridge and its dramatic structure. Scenic Hudson purchased the property in 2003 to protect it from development and preserve it as a public resource. The state assumed ownership in 2006, and the passive-use park will be managed by Scenic Hudson and the Palisades Interstate Park Commission (PIPC) on behalf of OPRHP.

"For anyone driving over the Mid-Hudson Bridge or enjoying a meal at Shadows on the Hudson, views of Franny Reese State Park are an inspiration. Those who walk the preserve are stunned by its magnificent river vistas. I can't imagine a more fitting tribute to Franny, who devoted her life to protecting our magnificent valley landscapes," said Scenic Hudson President Ned Sullivan. "The park also captures Franny's legacy, which will inspire people for generations to come. She demonstrated again and again that one person can make a difference. You see today in scores of young people, including her children and grandchildren, how she gave rise to a new generation that seeks a sustainable Hudson Valley. Scenic Hudson is very fortunate to have Franny's son, Alex Reese, as a board member, her granddaughter Francesca Olivieri as a member of our President's Council of Advisors, and other family members who are passionate supporters of our mission."

Speaking for the Reese family, Alex Reese said, "Having her name associated with trees and rocks, with beautiful vistas of the river she loved so much, with the preservation and enjoyment of nature would please my mother very much. On behalf of the Reese family, we thank New York State and Scenic Hudson for this honor."

OPRHP Commissioner Ash said, "Strong public-private partnerships are critical to advancing State Parks' mission of providing quality recreational opportunities and natural resource stewardship, especially in these difficult economic times. I am thankful to Ned Sullivan and the Scenic Hudson organization for their leadership in developing outdoor recreational and educational possibilities at this new park. Through Franny Reese's example, people of all ages can learn how individuals can make a difference in their community and world. And for nearby communities and visitors from far and wide, this park -- along with Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park -- will be a major attraction."

Town of Lloyd Supervisor Ray Costantino highlighted what the park will mean to its hometown community, stating, "It is unbelievable that within a two-week period, our community is celebrating the opening of two state parks -- Franny Reese State Park and Walkway Over the Hudson Historic State Park -- both of which are connected via the newly designed Walkway Loop. Early next year, our Hudson Valley Rail Trail will connect to these two parks offering expanded recreational opportunities. In addition to providing fantastic Hudson River overlook views and outdoor recreational and leisure activities for our community, the opening of Franny Reese State Park provides additional economic stimulus and increased local tourism that will positively impact our community."

Scenic Hudson Land Trust Executive Director Steve Rosenberg mentioned how the park design was appropriate for Ms. Reese. "This place really reflects Franny's personal style. It's beautiful but practical, inviting and informal."

PIPC Executive Director James Hall stated, "One would hope that Franny Reese would not only be proud of the preservation efforts reflected in this preserve but also the partnerships of Scenic Hudson, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the Commission that brought about its permanent protection and availability to the public."

Connection of park and Walkway important

OPRHP and the organization Walkway Over the Hudson, along with other public and private partners, transformed the 120-year-old dilapidated Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge into the world's longest elevated public park -- Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park. Franny Reese State Park is easily accessible from the Walkway by virtue of the Walkway Loop Trail, a 3.6-mile series of trails conceived by Scenic Hudson, that also link the Walkway with historic destinations, restaurants, marinas and other points of interest along the Poughkeepsie and Lloyd waterfronts. Scenic Hudson contributed to the financing of the Walkway and collaborated with state and local government, a local rail trail nonprofit and residents to create the loop trail. A brochure and map for the Walkway Loop Trail is available at www.scenichudson.org/walkwaylooptrail.

New park contributes to local economy

Public parks are important for a sustainable economy for the region. According to the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation and its 2008 survey of 2,000 corporate executives and site-selection professionals nationwide, the valley's unique quality of life is a leading selling point. Also, words most associated with the valley were scenic beauty and nature.

Further, according to a 2008 study by Tourism Economics of Wayne, Penn., based on data from the NYS Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Commerce, each year the tourism industry in the 10-county Hudson Valley region is responsible for $4.7 billion in spending, $298 million in local taxes and 80,000 jobs. Ulster County's share of the valley's tourism industry equates to $472 million in tourism spending every year that is responsible for contributing $29.2 million in local taxes and almost 8,500 jobs. For Dutchess County the figures are $491 million in tourism spending, $31.3 million in local taxes and almost 9,300 jobs.

During the ribbon cutting, Mr. Sullivan saluted generous financial donations Scenic Hudson received from supporters, including Dr. Lucy R. Waletzky, Christopher Scholz and John Stokes and the Austen-Stokes Ancient Americas Foundation.

Scenic Hudson also acknowledges local author as Hudson Valley Hero

Mr. Sullivan acknowledged author Hudson Talbott, who perfectly captured Franny Reese's zeal for the Hudson Valley and Scenic Hudson's fight for Storm King in his superb children's book, River of Dreams. The book is inspiring valley youngsters to get involved in their communities' efforts to connect more people to the river. For this reason, Scenic Hudson recently named Mr. Talbott, a resident of Leeds, Greene County, one of its Hudson Valley Heroes.

Scenic Hudson works to protect and restore the Hudson River and its majestic landscape as an irreplaceable national treasure and a vital resource for residents and visitors. A crusader for the valley since 1963, we are credited with saving fabled Storm King Mountain from a destructive industrial project and launching the modern grass-roots environmental movement. Today with more than 25,000 ardent supporters, we are the largest environmental group focused on the Hudson River Valley. Our team of experts combines land acquisition, support for agriculture, citizen-based advocacy and sophisticated planning tools to create environmentally and economically healthy communities, open up riverfronts to the public and preserve the valley's inspiring beauty and natural resources.

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