“The acquisition of these properties flooded, all too often by the Lower Esopus will allow the Kingston Land Trust to develop public access points, provide beneficial areas for wildlife and will allow for greater flood mitigation in the Lower Esopus Watershed. These properties will join other Kingston Land Trust lands in the City of Kingston, as we strive to create a network of open space and protected sites along the Lower Esopus Creek in the Towns of Hurley, Ulster and the City of Kingston.” says Steve Noble, one of the co-founders of the Kingston Land Trust and current Board President.
Kevin McEvoy, Board Director and Chair of the Kingston Land Trust Land Use, Management and Planning Committee responsible for creating the bids agrees. “The Kingston Land Trust looks forward to having its open space preservation efforts in the Esopus Creek floodplain and nearby wetlands lead to the formation of partnerships including the municipalities along this designated inland waterway which is eligible for participation in the NYS Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.”
Currently the Kingston Land Trust is in the midst of an assessment provided by a grant through the Land Trust Alliance. As part of the effort, board and staff members will work to create management plans and ways in which to partner with other municipalities, organizations and community groups to help utilize these new public access points to the creek.
