Hudson Highlands Gateway Park Transferred to Cortlandt

Cortlandt town officials have officially taken ownership of the 352-acre parcel now called Hudson Highlands Gateway Park.

You're going to want to hike this, if you haven't already (though maybe not this weekend when it's going to be bitterly cold).

IF YOU GO: The park is off Sprout Brook Road and Revolutionary Road.

It was called “Hillpoint” in the 1990s by the previous owner -- developer Martin Ginsburg.

But 16 years ago, Scenic Hudson and the Town jointly purchased the property, with the Town being the steward of the land and responsible for developing a trail to the summit, which offers a lovely view of the area and the Hudson River, said Cortlandt Town Supervisor Linda Puglisi in a written statement.

The purchase of this property ensured that the 352 homes proposed for the site by the developer would not be built. The total cost was $6 million to ensure no development would ever take place in the future.

It was a joint effort: a larger partnership with New York State ($1 million), Westchester County ($1 million), Scenic Hudson ($2.5 million), Town of Cortlandt ($1 million), residents in the area ($600,000) and Mr. Ginsburg ($100,000) to cover the appraised purchase.

The Town and Scenic Hudson agreed that the property would be conveyed/transferred to the Town of Cortlandt for preserved open space forever, after 15 years. That took place March 10.

“This pristine property is now a part of our open space in Cortlandt for future generations to enjoy and I thank Scenic Hudson and all of our other partners in making our dream become a reality,” Puglisi said.

The deed is now recorded in the Town Clerk’s office.

“Hudson Highlands Gateway Park is a tremendous natural asset of the Town of Cortlandt and the Hudson Highlands. We were gratified to work collaboratively in 2000 with the town, Westchester County, New York State and multiple private donors to conserve this important property, which had been slated for over 300 homes on its forested slopes. We are just as gratified to turn over full ownership to the town, which has been a fine steward of the property over the past 15 years. Scenic Hudson will hold a permanent conservation restriction on the property that will ensure it remains protected open space forever," said Steve Rosenberg, Executive Director of Scenic Hudson Land Trust.