Where in the Valley is Reed Sparling? (April 2009)

And the ANSWER IS...

Our congratulations to Kevin Oldenburg of Claverack, Columbia County, for being the first to respond to the April "Where in the Valley is Reed Sparling" contest. Kevin recognized Reed as being at Beacon Point Park (Dutchess County).

It's hard to believe, but the dramatic peninsula on which Beacon Point Park sits once was a hub of commerce. Actually, the shoreline was filled in to create the point, which served as a rail yard for ferrying boxcars across the Hudson River in the late 19th century. Later it was a storage facility for coal and salt. Today it is a 2.5-acre oasis, a glorious place to fish and admire views of Storm King Mountain, where Scenic Hudson got its start protecting this Hudson Highlands landmark from a massive hydroelectric project. Be sure to walk out on the fascinating environmental sculpture -- also called "Beacon Point" -- by renowned artist George Trakas. At high tide the river flows right through it!

Our congratulations to Kevin Oldenburg of Claverack, Columbia County, for being the first to respond with the correct answer. He won an autographed copy of Reed Sparling's Hudson Valley Voyage: Through the Seasons, Through the Years. Try your luck with our May challenge!