"Trust" in us. The Kingston Land Trust Invites Friends and Supporters to Help Celebrate Successes in 2010.

By Kingston Land Trust, on November 29th, 2010%

What a year it has been for the Kingston Land Trust.

Since July when the KLT hired a full time Executive Director, we have done some pretty heavy lifting to establish several substantial projects.  With so much potential in the City of Kingston, it has been a great pleasure to be a key partner in many collaborative efforts new and ongoing alike. We look forward to our continued efforts in preserving and protecting our historic treasures, discovering new avenues for sustainable and healthy living and creating programs utilizing open space that encourages citizens to take full advantage of the fun and adventures in Kingston’s great urban out-of-doors.

Because we appreciate your interest in the Kingston Land Trust, we have organized a Holiday “mixer” to share our work and to socialize with old and new friends. Join us at Kingston’s local brew pub Keegan Ales in Kingston where you can meet our staff and Board Directors and share in our 2010 successes and strategic plans for 2011.

To make this event a special one, Keegan’s has created a special Kingston Land Trust Rosemary Coriander Brew (using Rosemary from my personal garden) just for us that evening. To top it off, a portion of the proceeds of each one sold that evening will be generously gifted to us (drink responsibly, and bring a designated driver).

The Kingston Land Trust Holiday Mixer

Wednesday, December 29th

Keegan Ales

20 Saint James Street

Kingston, NY 12401

845/331-2739

6:00pm – 8:00pm

At the end of the year, we wish to challenge our friends in helping the Kingston Land Trust ring in the new year successfully. One of our generous benefactors has offered to match each dollar that we raise up to $5,000. That means that the KLT has the potential to earn at least $10,000 that will be added to our annual operating costs. We have until January 31st to reach this goal and any donation large or small plays an important role. Admission to Keegan’s is free, but we ask that you consider making a donation. If you cannot be present but wish to support us with a secure, online donation to our Annual Fund, visit our website at www.kingstonlandtrust.org.  You can also send along a check or money order to: The Kingston Land Trust PO Box 2701  Kingston, NY. 12402.  Contributions are tax-deductible.

Your involvement is crucial to the movement for economic revitalization, sustainability, and land conservation in our community.  Please join us.

With thanks and gratitude,

Rebecca Martin
Executive Director
The Kingston Land Trust

Kingston Land Trust Board of Directors and Advisers
Executive Committee
Steve Noble, Chair
Kevin McEvoy, Vice Chair/Treasurer/Chair of the LUAMP Committee
Julie Noble, Secretary

Board of Directors/Advisors/Staff
Bill Berardi, Director
Hugh Cummings, Director
Barbara Epstein, Advisor
Gregg Swanzey, Director/Chair of the KLT Rail Trail Committee
Steve Liebowitz, Director
Ann Loeding, Director
Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Advisor/Staff

What’s happening at the Kingston Land Trust?

The Kingston Land Trust  BLACK HISTORY Committee

With a wide variety of churches, historians and community members, the Kingston Land Trust’s Black History Committee is organizing a re-dedication of the Mt. Zion African-American Burial ground in June, 2011. The event will help to celebrate and honor past Kingston residents and veterans who are now laid to rest there.  Research projects to help document the people and their families at Mt. Zion and in the 17th Century Pine Street Slave Cemetery are currently underway. For more information, contact rebecca@kingstonlandtrust.org

Mt. Zion African-American Burial Ground

The Kingston Land Trust RAIL TRAIL Committee

Led by Kingston resident Gregg Swanzey, the Kingston Land Trust recently was awarded trail development assistance from Parks & Trails NY to engage the community in exploring the feasibility of connecting existing trails outside the city to the Midtown area. We were one of three programs awarded state-wide!  For more information, contact Gregg at gregg@kingstonlandtrust.org

The current O&W Trail.

The Kingston Land Trust LAND USE/ACQUISITION/MANAGEMENT/PLANNING Committee

Led by KLT Vice Chair/Treasurer Kevin McEvoy, the Kingston Land Trust’s LUAMP Committee in collaboration with other key stakeholders has participated in and remains committed to the ongoing open space planning process with regards to the approximately 300 acre area proposed to be preserved at Hudson Landing. In addition, the committee participated and is committed, together with key stakeholders, in the planning process for portions of the Ulster-Esopus Ridge in Town of Ulster which includes wetlands and a highly significant Native American lithic workshop discovered during the archeology. With a growing portfolio throughout the city of Kingston, the committee handles all parcels and easements gifted or otherwise conserved to assure protection. To learn more, contact Kevin at kevin@kingstonlandtrust.org

KLT works to preserve open space.

The South Pine Street City Farm Project

About 1/4 acre of land in the Midtown section of Kingston is currently being transformed into Kingston’s first City Farm. Led by first generation farmer and city of Kingston resident Jesica Clark, the Kingston Land Trust has teamed up with The Queens Galley, The Queens Galley’s “Cooking Matters” program and Binnewater Ice Co. to take steps in making Kingston an urban agriculture epicenter. For more information, contact Farmer Clark at jesicaclark21@gmail.com

South Pine Street City Farm in the fall, 2010

“The Dig Kids” – An urban farming program

With the help of a grant from the Columbia Foundation, The Kingston Land Trust has created “The Dig Kids”- a farming program located at the Everett Hodge Community Center in Midtown Kingston to help youth learn important farming skills while being paid a stipend to do so. Harvests will be sold at local farmers markets as well as used for cooking instruction and distributed throughout the immediate community for those in need. For more information, contact rebecca@kingstonlandtrust.org

"The Dig Kids" Garden Clean-up in 2010

The Kingston City Hall Victory Garden

The Kingston Land Trust will be in its third year helping to develop the Kingston City Hall Victory Garden, an organic  ’square foot gardening’ project to illustrate the amount of food that can be grown and harvested in an 8×8 foot raised bed. Managed by City Hall employees, the harvest is donated to a different soup kitchen in the city of Kingston each year.  If you are a soup kitchen and wish to be included, contact rebecca@kingstonlandtrust.org

City Hall Victory Garden

Yoga in the Park! Creating Healthy Communities

The KLT in collaboration with Shakti Yoga, MAC Fitness and the City of Kingston’s Parks and Recreation department, is we’re excited to announce “Yoga in the Park! Creating Healthy Communities” starting on May Day (Sunday, May 1st) at Cornell Park in the Rondout section of Kingston. Join your neighbors on the first Sunday of each month starting in May through October for Shakti’s exceptional yoga series that will accommodate every level in the gorgeous setting of one of our most wonderful urban parks. Contact rebecca@kingstonlandtrust.org

Healthy Kingston For Kids (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation)

The Kingston Land Trust is a proud partner of the “Healthy Kingston for Kids” program led by Cornell Cooperative Extension. Leading an initiative to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic in Kingston through environmental and policy change, the project is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation with $360,000 over four years. Recently, a resolution for Complete Streets was approved by the Kingston Common Council and other such initiatives as community gardens and more are on their radar. Contact Arthur Zaczkiewicz for more information at arthur@kingstonlandtrust.org

Midtown, Kingston

Leave a comment   Benefit Events, News and announcements

South Pine Street City Farm Work Event a Huge Success.

By Kingston Land Trust, on November 20th, 2010%

Build-a-Farm Work Party

Thanks to those who provided assistance today at the South Pine Street City Farm work event. The group successfully put in nineteen 20′ raised beds.

Daniel Clark marks the beds.

Twenty 20' Raised beds in the making.

The youngest volunteer Charlie Grenadier lends a hand to Farmer Clark and Ed Blouin.

Lei Issacs is always there to lend a hand.

The Clarks take a break.

Homemade Chili, Cornbread and Relish for the Volunteers.

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The Kingston Land Trust to Receive Trail Development Assistance from Parks & Trails New York

By Kingston Land Trust, on November 19th, 2010%

The Kingston Land Trust has been selected to receive assistance from Parks & Trails New York through its Healthy Trails, Healthy People program. The program is aimed at increasing the number of physically active New Yorkers by helping communities create new or increase the usage of existing multi-use trails. Selected communities receive help with technical issues, planning, public outreach, grant writing, fundraising, programming, organizational development and other activities critical to the long-term success of trail projects.

Parks & Trails New York will work with the Kingston Land Trust to engage the community in exploring the feasibility of connecting existing rail trails outside the city to the mid-town area.

Kingston was historically a railroad transportation hub. This project will explore the possibilities for restoring those historical connections to the Midtown section of Kingston from Rail Trails that come to the city’s borders. The vision is for a walkable, bikeable city with non-motorized pathways that connect throughout the city and beyond to communities of the Catskills, Rondout Valley, Esopus Valley, Wallkill Valley and the waterfront.

“We are so fortunate to receive this assistance from Parks and Trails NY now. But it is no accident.  The Kingston Land Trust is working with Cornell Cooperative Extension on the Heathy Kingston for Kids project. The City has committed as a Climate Smart and Green Jobs Community and the Common Council recently recognized the importance of a Complete Streets approach for transforming our city over time. Steps like these leverage resources that weren’t available before. This is a great big step forward!” says the Kingston Land Trust Rail Trail Committee Chair Gregg Swanzy.

Other projects selected include:

Village of Copenhagen, Lewis County – Parks & Trails New York will assist the Village of Copenhagen and the Copenhagen Community Day Committee with the creation of a 1.5-mile walking trail linking the Deer River, and a school and park within the village.

Village of Cayuga Recreation Trail, Cayuga County – Parks & Trails New York will assist the Village of Cayuga Planning Board with the creation of a 2.5-mile walking trail connecting two parks, an elementary school, and the Cayuga Lake waterfront.

Communities Selected to Receive Trail Development Assistance Selection was based on level of community support and commitment to the project, clearly defined project goals, ability of the trail to increase physical activity levels within the community, and the level of need within the community.

“Throughout the state, local governments large and small are recognizing how much their citizens value safe, off-road trails that offer the exercise they need and connect the places they frequent. We look forward to helping Kingston, Copenhagen and Cayuga begin their trail development efforts,” said Parks & Trails New York Executive Director Robin Dropkin.

Parks & Trails New York is the leading statewide advocate for parks and trails, dedicated since 1985 to improving the health and quality of life of all New Yorkers by working with community organizations and municipalities to envision, create, promote, and protect a growing network of parks, greenways and trails throughout the state for all to use and enjoy. Since it launched its Healthy Trails, Healthy People program in 2004, Parks & Trails New York has assisted trail development efforts in 35 communities located in 33 different counties across the state. When these projects are fully complete, almost 250 miles of new multi-use trail will be open to the public. Healthy Trails, Healthy People is funded in part by a grant from the Healthy Heart Program of the New York State Department of Health.

To find out more about the Healthy Trails, Healthy People program, contact Parks & Trails New York at 518-434-1583 or ptny@ptny.org or visit the Parks & Trails New York website at www.ptny.org.

Leave a comment   Kingston Rail Trail Connections

The Kingston Land Trust Celebrates the Holiday Season at Keegan Ales on Wednesday, December 29th.

By Kingston Land Trust, on November 15th, 2010%

The community is invited to attend and sample Keegan’s new “Kingston Land Trust” Rosemary Brew.

Kingston, NY – The Kingston Land Trust, an urban trust in the historic city of Kingston, celebrates the holiday season at Hudson Valley brewery Keegan Ales located at 20 Saint James Street on Thursday, December 29th, 2010 from 6-8pm.  The community is invited to attend. A special “Kingston Land Trust Rosemary Brew” will be showcased that evening.

“It’s been a big year for the Kingston Land Trust, and we want to celebrate and share our works with the community” says Executive Director Rebecca Martin. ” Keegan Ales is revered in NY State and located in Midtown, Kingston. We couldn’t  think of a better place to invite our friends together for a little holiday cheer and what fun it is to have beer made especially for us for this event”.

The Kingston Land Trust will showcase their upcoming projects in 2011 and will also be accepting tax deductible donations.

About the Kingston Land Trust:

The Kingston Land Trust is a 501c3 non-profit organization committed to the protection and preservation of open space, historic sites, wetlands, scenic areas, and forests in the City of Kingston and the surrounding region to include the Town of Ulster and the Town of Kingston.

About Keegan Ales:

Keegan Ales is the Hudson Valley’s Brewery, featuring three distinct beers brewed and bottled in historic Kingston, the first capital of the state of New York. ”Old Capital” named for Kingston’s heritage, is a classic and refreshing ale. ”Hurricane Kitty” named in honor of brewmaster Tommy Keegan’s grandmother, is an aggressively hopped India Pale ale, while ”Mothers Milk” is a dark, rich, and creamy milk stout with hints of chocolate.  In addition to the brewery the historic 1830′s brick building will also feature a brew pub that is now open.


Leave a comment   Benefit Events

The South Pine Street City Farm Host First Work Day Event in November

By Kingston Land Trust, on November 13th, 2010%

South Pine Street City Farm hosts it’s first work day event scheduled for Saturday, November 20th.

Garden enthusiasts in the community are invited to participate in the creation and installation of raised beds for Kingston’s first Urban Farm project.

Kingston, NY – Farmer Jesica Clark invites the public to help build and install raised beds for the South Pine Street City Farm located at 25 South Pine Street in the City of Kingston (across from Binnewater Ice Co.). The scheduled work date is Saturday, November 20th from 10:00am – 1:00pm. The rain date will be Sunday, November 21st at the same time.

“Bringing the community together to build something is one of the oldest traditions of agriculture.” says Clark about her first scheduled work event. “Instead of raising a barn, we are building a farm literally from the ground up.”

Clark will provide the working crew with a hot meal, so participants are asked to RSVP at jesicaclark21@gmail.com or by calling the Kingston Land Trust at 845/877-5263 no later than Friday, November 19th.  Please specify if you have any dietary requirements and bring your battery operated screw guns, drill bits and work gloves.

In the case of poor weather, visit the Kingston Land Trust’s website at kingstonlandtrust.org for updates.

About the South Pine Street City Farm:

The South Pine Street City Farm is dedicated to serve as a model of urban agriculture for the City of Kingston and beyond.  This small scale market garden will show that agriculture can thrive in an urban environment while also providing important educational components to encourage other farm projects throughout urban areas in the Hudson Valley.  The farm and its growers will work in partnerships with individuals and organizations in the community to achieve a farm and food based network.   Current partnerships include:  The Queen’s Galley and The Queens Galley’s “Cooking Matters” program, The Kingston Land Trust and Binnewater Ice Company.

About Farmer Jesica Clark:

Jesica Clark has worked in farming and small scale agriculture for eight years.  She has organized community gardens, managed a small diversified farm in the Hudson Valley and worked for several for-profit as well as not-for-profit, educational farms.  Having grown up in New York City and apprenticed in central Pennsylvania, she has experience in both urban culture and rural living. She is comfortable working with all members of a community and feels that good food is integral not only to physical health but also to social health.

Leave a comment   South Pine Street City Farm