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Kingston has acquired 70 acres of land in the Rondout Uplands, marking a significant step in expanding public open spaces. The acquisition, announced by Mayor Steven Noble on Friday (February 21), involves seven parcels spanning Kingston and the Town of Ulster. The land will remain closed to the public initially to ensure safety before it becomes accessible for recreational use.
Mayor Noble emphasized the importance of this acquisition for the community, stating, "We are so pleased to acquire and conserve this land and expand our open space offerings for the residents of Kingston." The city aims to create a safe and enjoyable environment for future generations.
The Scenic Hudson Land Trust, a key partner in the acquisition, praised the initiative. Seth McKee, Executive Director of Scenic Hudson, highlighted the project's role in addressing the "nature gap" that limits city residents' access to natural areas. The newly acquired land is located just 1.5 miles from Midtown Kingston and is adjacent to the Kingston Land Trust’s Land in Black Hands farm, creating a total of 145 acres of conserved open space.
This acquisition aligns with Kingston's Open Space Plan, adopted in November 2020, which aims to preserve natural resources and improve public access. The plan includes goals to protect hundreds of acres of land and forge new trails. The recent acquisition of the Rondout Uplands land contributes to achieving these goals, with 100% completion of the goal to protect 60 acres in the uplands along the Rondout.
Mayor Noble expressed gratitude for the community's patience as the city works to ready the land for public use. The City of Kingston has also been working closely with the Kingston Land Trust to conserve additional lands, further enhancing the city's green spaces.