Dutchess County Executive Proposes Park Expansion

Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro proposed adding to the Dutchess County Park system in a speech on Thursday to the County Capital Projects Committee. Under his proposal, 230 acres of land in East Fishkill that sits next to the William R. Steinhaus Dutchess Rail Trail would be preserved with trails, viewing areas and water access to Lake Walton.

According to a press release from the County Executive's office, the property was formerly an orchard owned by the Brinckerhoff family who settled in the area in the early 1700s. The land has been used as a summer camp and eventually as a cottage community. The land was purchased last month by Scenic Hudson for $2 million to preserve the open space. They've offered the land to the county for $1.5 million.

The property sits right next to the rail trail for 1.5 miles and could offer several access points. More information is expected to be revealed at Molinaro's state of the county address on Wednesday, February 27th taking place at the Culinary Institute of America.