This Is A Story You Can't Find Any Where Else !

Most residents of Rockland know the story of the historic WW II 2,300 acre Army Camp Shanks ["Last Stop USA"] in Orangetown and all know how most of the 2,300 acres were returned to the Town over the ensuing 60+ years since the War ended. But there were 14 acres kept by the Army, most of which was paved asphalt and rails where the military rail road yard was once located. In the 1950s, the Army built the Rockland Headquarters for the national Nike Missile Program followed by the headquarters of an Army Reserve on those acres, both left after a few years.

In 2009, the Federal Government declared the 14-acre surplus and available to any Not-For-Profit charity which would use it for the homeless and a few other purposes.

Plenty of large Providers of homeless housing from the NYC and other Counties inquired. I lived a few blocks away and did not want the 14 acres to be overbuilt. In addition, I wanted the last parcel of where 1.3 million GIs passed through to Europe to fight the nazi Amy, especially on D-Day, to be a living memorial to those who did not come home. I felt confident, after 40 years of providing community supportive home for people with Special Needs, that the best use would be to provide permanent affordable supportive homes for homeless veterans. Ergo, the "Rockland Homes for Heroes" not-for-profit 501[c]3 charity was created and 8 such apartments were built right on Western highway.
in Tappan.

The Town of Orangetown partnered with "Rockland Homes for Heroes" by supporting us in our effort to convert their land lease, to a land purchase from the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Orangetown recognized that the conversion from the land lease to a land purchase will offer many more benefits to the community.

Upon the land acquisition, Orangetown believed it to be in the public interest to attain six (6) acres of the above noted fourteen (14) acres to implement a green infrastructure project which replaced a large paved area with plants and permeable surfaces to mitigate pollutants entering and impacting the water quality of the Sparkill Creek. It made great sense environmentally.

The plan was/is brilliant but beyond my full understanding, which is why most of what I have written has been copy-catted exactly from the Town's "Bio-Retention & Stormwater Wetlands Green Infrastructure Project Report", with the Town's permission. The project consists of the development of a 3.6-acre, extended detention wetlands, that acts as a water quality and quantity treatment basin for the surrounding 151-acre stormwater contributing drainage area.

It started with the removal of approximately 25,000 cubic yards of asphalt. Phase 2 constructed a bio-retention and stormwater wetland. The bio- retention and stormwater wetland is approximately 5 acre-feet in volume, which treats and stores a drainage area of around 20 acres including the "Rockland Homes for Heroes" site.

In planning the construction of The Bio-Retention & Stormwater Wetlands Project, the design included the planting of a selection of native grasses, perennials, shrubs, and trees that are suited for a wetland habitat. They provide not only seasonal interest with their color and form, but also attract pollinators and birds to the area and promote biodiversity.

Additionally, a perimeter walking trail was installed to provide public access around the wetlands while creating a serene area in the presence of water and wildlife. This will serve our Veterans very well. The wetlands are interrelated and in close proximately (.5 mile) to the Joseph B. Clark Rail Trail. The rail trail is a four-mile trail crossing through multiple hamlets in Orangetown as well as historical landmarks including Camp Shanks.

As this is going on, "Rockland Homes For Heroes" is building 14 more homes for our homeless Veterans on its 8 acres. During this time, our Town, under the leadership of undoubtedly the best elected Public Official in Rockland's history, Superintendent Highway Commissioner Jimmy Dean, has given us 200% cooperation. Jim has both vision and common sense.

I hope Jimmy's dream will soon be opened to the public and our 14 homes will be finished in about 15 months with public support.

www.rocklandhomesforheroes.org