Middletown Reservoir Trails Feasibility Report June 2019 Table of Contents

Middletown Reservoir Trails Feasibility Report june 2019 Table of Contents

Introduction ...... 1

Background ...... 2

Outdoor Recreational Resources and Participation Rates ...... 3

Economic Benefits of Parks and Open Space in Middletown ...... 6

Stakeholder Views ...... 8

Trail and Facility Assessment ...... 12

Security and Safety Analysis ...... 13

Recommendations for Action and Implementation ...... 14

Further Study ...... 18

Appendix A: Trail and Facility Assessment Site Conditions ...... 20

Appendix B: Middletown Reservoir Trail Map ...... 39

Appendix C: Capital and Operational Budget ...... 41

Endnotes ...... 41

Photo credits: Steve Aaron for The Trust for Public Land

Introduction

The City of Middletown’s watershed lands and This feasibility analysis will provide a baseline reservoirs have the potential to be developed into report of current conditions as well as a multi-purpose recreational facility that can be recommendations for immediate actions and enjoyed by the public for hiking, biking, picnicking, further study for possible expansion of and nature watching. This new parkland would recreational uses to horseback riding, paddle provide a new, nearby recreational asset for local sports, and fishing, as well as geographical residents, students, and businesses and would also expansion and connectivity to the downtown core. attract regional visitors, thereby complementing It is intended to provide information that can be and reinforcing Middletown’s investments in its incorporated into a Consolidated Funding infrastructure, public spaces, buildings and Application request to the State of New York in businesses under the Downtown Revitalization July 2019, as well as applicable federal grant Initiative and other programs. As has been programs such as the Outdoor Recreational demonstrated across the country, appropriate Leadership Program, that will provide financial recreational development is not only compatible support for developing the recreational resource. with providing clean, safe drinking water but also creates additional stakeholders who support the integrity, care, and security of watershed lands.

Background

The City of Middletown, New York, is located in around Monhagen Reservoir, Highland Reservoir, the lower Hudson Valley Region and in the and Shawangunk Reservoir. These lands are Highlands area at the southern end of the owned by Middletown and are located outside of Shawangunk Ridge, a unique geologic formation the city in the Town of Mount Hope and the Town that is known widely for their dramatic cliffs and of Wallkill.2 The water system started in 1866, landscapes, dwarf pine barren forest ecosystems, with a state law authorizing the City to purchase a "ice caves", and classic rock climbing. Middletown farm and build what is now known as Monhagen is centrally located in Orange County, New York Reservoir, a 74-acre lake that drains approximately and is readily accessible, as it is located at the 426 acres. This reservoir is fed by its own intersection of the major highways I-84 and NY watershed and interconnections to upgradient Route 17, about 75 miles northwest of New York reservoirs, Highland and Shawangunk Reservoirs. City. Middletown is within a few hour’s drive of the In 1891 the City built 101-acre Highland Reservoir, Delaware River, Minnewaska Reserve, and the which drains approximately 341 acres. In 1901 the Catskill Mountains. The City serves as a hub of City built Shawangunk Reservoir, which is 101 employment, amenities and services for the acres and is surrounded by a drainage area of 422 surrounding suburban and rural areas. acres and is fed through a pumped uptake from the headwaters of the Shawangunk Kill. Starting in The City has taken significant steps to invest in its 1912 the City reforested the watershed, which had economic revitalization and community future consisted of cleared land for farms. through smart planning. This has included the The much larger upstream watershed area that is creation of a 124-acre Business Improvement District in 1992, reuse of buildings, repurposing of a 232-acre former Middletown State Psychiatric Hospital campus, the cultivation of anchor institutions of higher education and medical care, and a winning Downtown Revitalization Initiative plan to improve streetscapes, facades, and land uses. New parks planned for Middletown include Erie Way Park and an extension of the Heritage Trail through downtown. The Heritage Trail project brings the potential for future street or off- street connections to five or more areas with institutional anchors that are outside of the core downtown areas, as well as significant upgrades and expansions of Fancher-Davidge and other parks. These efforts are intended to create a livable, walkable, vibrant community core for the also tributary to the City of Middletown Water City’s nearly 30,000 residents, as well as 30,000 Supply is outside the scope of this study; that area residents of the surrounding Town of Wallkill and is comprised of the Kinch Reservoir, Mill Pond, and other residents of the central portion of Orange Indigot Creek watersheds, totaling approximately County. twenty square miles, compared to less than two The City of Middletown has asked The Trust for square miles in the current study area. The Public Land to assemble a project team1 to assess Middletown water system has been filtered since the recreational potential of its watershed lands approximately 1900, and the Monhagen Filtration

Plant was thoroughly overhauled and renovated in present, but there is reportedly some trespassing 2010. by users of all-terrain vehicles. The City-owned watershed lands under In addition, Monhagen Middle School and Maple consideration for recreational use in this study are Hill Elementary School are directly adjacent to the 1,250 acres of land and water that include the three watershed lands. Their proximity provides an main lakes plus feeder streams and smaller lakes opportunity for outdoor and environmental and surrounding forest. The area is accessible educational activities on the watershed lands. through several miles of maintained roads, and Taking note of the fact that New York City’s several miles of established paths or woods roads. Catskill/Delaware System is unfiltered and yet These areas appear to be immediately suitable for those watershed lands have been opened up for hiking, mountain biking, road biking, and compatible recreational uses, and that many picnicking, and, with certain improvements, jurisdictions find that managed recreational uses horseback riding. Water-related activities such as can both displace unmanaged uses and swimming, paddling and fishing merit further trespassing and enhance security, the City seeks to exploration, but are not within the scope of this understand the feasibility and potential of a similar study. There is no public access to these lands at approach to management of its watershed lands.

Outdoor Recreational Resources & Participation Rates

The Middletown Recreation and Parks Erie Railroad that runs from the Village of Department manages 18 parks totaling Harriman to the City of Goshen, and will be approximately 270 acres including Fancher- extended to the City of Middletown and then Davidge Park, Thrall Park, downtown pocket parks beyond to Fancher-Davidge Park. The Heritage that include Run 4 Downtown Park, and Festival Trail will run into the middle of the City and past Square, and the new Start Center. In addition, the two newly renovated micro-breweries, Equilibrium Orange Regional Medical Center maintains a one- Brewery and Clemson Brothers Brewery. A mile paved walking trail with 7 fitness stations and planned Heritage Trail Downtown Spur will a yoga pad. These parks are well distributed, with connect the trail to the civic center and to a the result that 78 percent of Middletown’s planned new park, Erie Way Park/Middletown residents live within a 10 minute walk of a park, Skate Park, which will be a major public gathering well above the national average of 54 percent.3 space, the new home of the city’s Farmers’ Market, Planned additional parks within Middletown and a destination for unique recreational include the Heritage Trail, a 15 mile bike and opportunities. pedestrian trail on the right-of-way of the former

Middletown residents also have access to outdoor Another significant resource close to Middletown recreational resources that are outside of town. is the 358-mile Long Path hiking trail, which has Within a 30 minute drive of Middletown, there are been called “New York’s Greatest Trail” as it approximately 32,655 acres, or 1.1 acres for every extends 358 miles from 175th Street Subway Middletown resident. These resources include the Station in Manhattan to John Boyd Thacher State southern Shawangunk Ridge formation Park near Albany, connecting the country’s (Huckleberry Ridge, Wurtsboro Ridge, Roosa Gap, biggest city with the Hudson Valley’s wild places.5 and Shawangunk Ridge State Forests), Stewart The Long Path encircles Middletown but the State Forest, the Neversink Preserve and the segment of the trail closest to Middletown is on- Neversink River, and the Port Jervis Watershed road for 14 miles, making it an unappealing Park and Recreation Area. destination for day hikers. If the watershed lands were opened to public access and also linked to the National surveys, however show that most Heritage Trail, then the Long Path could be outdoor participants seek close-to-home outdoor rerouted off the roads and onto the Heritage Trail recreation, with 63% of them typically travelling 10 and then through Middletown Reservoir Lands. miles or less for outdoor activities.4 Within 5 miles This would make the Long Path in the Middletown of Middletown, residents can access Highland area more appealing to residents, and at the same Lakes State Park, an undeveloped 3,000 acres time would make Middletown a gateway protected area of woods and lakes that contains community for long distance travelers on the Long some trails and is used for fishing, hiking, and Path who would welcome a chance to restock horseback riding. While some people also provisions, and get a meal and a beer. It would mountain bike there, such use is not officially connect Middletown to other communities and encourage and may pose conflicts with horse natural areas along the Long Path. riders. There is also C. Hudson Thompson Memorial Park (Circleville Park) in the Town of Our analysis of available outdoor recreational data Wallkill, which has a 7 acre lake for fishing and shows that Middletown residents participated in swimming, picnic areas, playgrounds, and active most activities -- hiking, fishing, hunting, canoeing recreational fields or courts for soccer, softball, or kayaking, and mountain biking – at a lower rate volleyball, basketball, and tennis. than the national average.6 The only activities around the national average are backpacking and Within 10 miles, residents can gain access to camping. Bashakill Wildlife Management Area in Sullivan County, a 3,107 acre area that contains the largest As a reference point, nationally, the top outdoor freshwater wetland in southeastern New York and activities by participation rates7 are running, is a major attraction for bird watchers, and is also jogging and trail running (19 percent of used for fishing, hunting, trapping, cross-country Americans), freshwater, saltwater and fly fishing skiing and hiking along 15 miles of walking trails (17 percent), road biking, mountain biking and and several observation towers along the historic BMX (16 percent), hiking (15 percent), and car, D&H Canal or the O&W railroad bed. Another backyard, backpacking and RV camping (14 resource within 10 miles is Wurtsboro Ridge State percent). The top outdoor activities by frequency Forest, which is 1,139 acres along the Shawangunk of use are running, jogging and trail running (76 Ridge that includes several old roads and average outings per runner), road, mountain and abandoned rail beds, and is used for fishing, BMX biking (48 average outings per cyclist), hunting, trapping, hiking, cross-country skiing, freshwater, saltwater and fly fishing (18 average and camping; in addition, snowmobiling, outings per angler), hiking (14 average outings per mountain biking and horseback riding are allowed hiker), and car, backyard, backpacking and RV but there are no designated trails or maintained camping (13 average outings per camper). areas for these activities.

We note that statewide, the number of senior enhancements that could be made to the current citizens will increase dramatically, with the park and recreational offerings: population over 65 increasing 38% by 2030.8 This 1. Middletown residents do not feel connected to demographic change will affect park use generally, the bigger park areas within a 30-minute drive, with overall attendance expected to increase, such as the 6,700 acre Stewart State Forest, to especially during the week, with greater need for the east and north of the city across the major ADA-compliant facilities, and with older residents highways of Route 17 or Interstate 84. All of favoring walking (81% participating rates), these areas require access by car, but our picnicking and visiting nature areas or gardens analysis of available data indicates that (75%), and on and off-road biking including approximately 18% of Middletown households mountain biking (17%).9 do not have a car. Moreover, even residents At the other end of the age spectrum, there is a and stakeholders with cars have indicated a growing need to provide outdoor recreational strong preference for parks that can be opportunities to young people, who are more reached by walking, running, or riding from connected to “screens” of all types and indoor their home. activities, and less connected to the natural world 2. Among the current offerings, there is a need and outdoor activities, than ever before. The for outdoor recreation and education options effects of this lifestyle shift is reflected in the that provide more wilderness-like experiences dramatic growth in childhood and adolescent and a deeper connection to nature10 as well as obesity rates, with lifelong risks of diabetes, a variety of experiences to accommodate cardiovascular disease, and joint problems. planned growth in the population and the Nearby, outdoor recreational facilities and higher-educational sector in particular. programming can counteract these trends. 3. Mountain biking options are limited at most of While the areas that are a short drive from the major outdoor recreation areas within a Middletown provide a variety of outdoor short drive, with the significant exception of recreational options that complement the sports Stewart State Forest and Port Jervis fields and passive recreation offered by the 18 Watershed Park and Recreation Area, which parks within city limits, there are several are the only areas with designated and

maintained trails for that purpose. The Neversink River valley and historic Delaware planned Heritage Trail will add a road and trail and Hudson Canal corridor, ultimately forming biking resource and connection within the a regional recreational network with Port town – and will bring more biking tourists into Jervis’s watershed lands. Regional, inter- town – but will not add a mountain biking jurisdictional trail networks such as Kingdom option. In addition, an aging population is Trails in northeast Vermont and Oz Trails in likely to take up biking as a recreational northwestern Arkansas have proven that joint activity. marketing efforts can be mutually beneficial and create a tourism destination that is greater 4. This combination of factors means that the than the sum of its parts. City would like to help develop protected and recreational lands to the west along the

Economic Benefits of Parks and Open Space in Middletown

Across New York State, investments in parks and such as walkable, vibrant downtowns with easy open space provide significant economic benefits access to recreational resources such as the to local communities. This section highlights how proposed new watershed park, are critical to parks and open spaces enhance property values, attracting and retaining talented people who, in reduce local taxes, boost outdoor recreation and turn, attract and grow businesses that provide a tourism, support forestry and farming, propel host of economic benefits to the community. To economic development, increase public health, this end, the DRI plan features the creation of Erie and provide a host of valuable natural goods and Way Park, which is envisioned as a major public services including improved drinking water gathering space, the new home of the city’s quality, air pollution removal, erosion Farmers’ Market, and a destination for unique management, and flood control and prevention. recreational opportunities. This and related parks, open space and streetscape improvements play a The existing 18 Middletown parks benefit the local key role in making the downtown area a more community, generate natural goods and services, attractive, walkable, and functional place for and drive tourism and outdoor recreation by residents, employees, and visitors. The proposed providing opportunities for activities such as new park aligns will with the City’s goal of swimming, sports, disc golf, bird watching, improving its destination marketing, including not walking, picnicking, visiting playgrounds, and only the downtown area but regional resources, skateboarding and dog walking. Parks are also and fostering connections between the downtown used to host events, including the Stars and Stripes and regional resources. Celebration, Night Out Against Crime, and Friday Night Concerts in the summer, which attract Parks Boost Tourism and Outdoor Recreation thousands of participants each year. Expanding Middletown’s beautiful parks and open space draw Middletown’s recreational amenities has the visitors that contribute to the tourism and outdoor potential to have a positive impact on the recreation economies in three ways: (1) trip related economy of the city and the surrounding region. spending; (2) experience related spending (e.g., The importance of parks for economic equipment and gear); and (3) cost savings to users. development is clear within Middletown’s  While information on the primary purposes of successful $10 million Downtown Revitalization visitors to Middletown is not available, Initiative plan and related strategic planning national and regional data suggest outdoor documents. The basic underlying principle of the recreation is among the most important DRI is that amenities and quality of life factors, drivers of visitation. Nationwide, 6 percent of

overnight visitors travel to their destination for Parks Propel Economic Development the main purpose of the outdoor recreation. Employees in today’s economy increasingly Regionally, 17 percent of overnight visitors to prioritize quality of life factors – including the Adirondacks come for the outdoors.11 recreation and access to the outdoors—when  Tourism is a key component of the local choosing were to work and live. Parks and open economy. In 2017, spending by visitors to space contribute to the high quality of life in Orange County grew by 3.6 percent to $492 Middletown and complement the Downtown million annually. This growth in the industry is Revitalization Initiative efforts. In fact, Kiplinger attributable to biking, hiking, and fishing, recently rated Middletown as the eighth best city among other factors.12 Thus, Middletown’s in the country to raise kids based on cost of living, parks and open space play a critical role in educational factors, and amenities, which include attracting visitors and their spending to the public parks and playgrounds.14 Expansion of region. outdoor recreational lands and opportunities represents an opportunity to attract more top  The tourism sector will experience an increase businesses and employees to the city, as well as to through greater connectivity to other natural retain businesses, health care facilities, and higher resources through the extension of the Orange educational institutions that have been attracted Heritage Trail (bike and multi-purpose) from in recent years. Monroe through Goshen to downtown Middletown and beyond, as well as ongoing Parks Increase Public Health improvements to and awareness of the Long Path. Increased access to parks and open space encourages people to exercise more, reducing risk  Statewide, outdoor recreation, which includes factors from being overweight or obese, a residents and visitors, generates $41.8 billion condition that affects 68 percent of Orange in consumer spending and $3.6 billion in state County residents.15 Increased levels of exercise and local tax revenue. It also supports 313,000 result in health care cost savings. The average direct New York jobs with an associated $14.0 adult who regularly exercises in their park saves 13 billion in wages and salaries. $1,230 per year in medical costs.16 For adults over  Most recreational uses in Middletown are age 65, the savings are double.17 Research also available at low or no cost, which provides cost demonstrates the link between outdoor access savings to residents who would otherwise and mental health benefits.18 Middletown’s parks have to pay to access other facilities or travel and open space help residents increase physical to access a substitute site. For example, in activity and reduce medical care costs and help numerous recent citywide studies conducted decrease levels of stress, anxiety, and depression by The Trust for Public Land, the average in the community. The city’s parks and trails also recreation visit is worth between $2.50 and have the potential to be an essential component of $4.25 and represents costs that individuals Orange Regional Medical Center’s Community save by not having to travel to a substitute site Service Plan, which includes efforts to prevent or pay market rates. This means that the chronic diseases, such as obesity and overweight, avoided costs resulting from free and through strategies including education on the accessible local parks represents a substantial importance of physical activity and the creation of savings to Middletown’s households, fitness trails.19 recreational programs, school teams, and educational groups—money they can use for other purposes.

Parks Enhance Property Values Hudson Valley town for which this type of data are available, lands used for working and open space Parks and open space increase the value of nearby purposes require $0.74 in services for every dollar residential properties. Parks have been the subject paid in taxes, while residential lands use $1.23 in of academic research into what influences services for every dollar paid in taxes. Similarly, property values in New York dating back to the residential properties in Beekman receive $1.12 in 1980s.20 In fact, interest in parks and their services for every dollar paid in taxes, while influence on property values began as early as undeveloped lands require $0.48 in services for Frederick Law Olmsted’s study of the impact of every dollar paid in taxes. In Red Hook, residential New York City’s Central Park on surrounding properties receive $1.11 in services for each dollar property values.21 The Trust for Public Land paid in taxes and undeveloped lands require $0.22 estimates that homes close to parks and open in services for each dollar paid in taxes.24 space receive on average a 5 percent premium. This is true across the country as well as in New Parks Provide Valuable Natural Goods and York.22 Applying this average to the median home Services value in Middletown of $185,300 results in an additional $9,270 in value for homes near parks.23 Parks, open space, and watershed lands in New Over time, the increase in home values also York also provide valuable natural goods and contributes to additional property tax revenues for services such as drinking water filtration, air the city. pollution removal, erosion management, and flood control and prevention. 25 These natural Parks Reduce Taxes resources save money as they perform functions that would otherwise require expensive Open space saves communities money through technology. A study by The Trust for Public Land avoided costs on expensive infrastructure and found that every $1 invested in the Environmental other municipal services required by residential Protection Fund returns $7 in natural goods and property owners, such as schools, police, and fire services.26 These natural goods and services are protection. Research that quantifies these cost provided by Middletown’s parks and open spaces. savings exists for 12 New York communities, several of which are in the Hudson Valley region Across New York State, investments in parks and and can be taken as representative for the open space provide significant economic benefits purposes of this report. This body of research to local communities. As this research shows, showed that on average, residential lands require expanding Middletown’s recreational amenities $1.32 in services for every dollar paid in local taxes. has the potential to have a positive impact on the At the same time, undeveloped lands only require economy of the City and the surrounding region. $0.34 in services for every dollar contributed in property taxes. For example, in Fishkill, one

Stakeholder Views

Project partner Pattern for Progress spoke with  Information regarding various potential users; local stakeholders to provide preliminary and information about the city’s plans for the reservoir  Further involvement in the park planning lands and to obtain feedback on a range of topics, process. including their views about:

Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress interviewed  Civic and volunteer organizations (Orange over a dozen stakeholders between December Runners). 2018 and February 2019, from the following Summary of Feedback sectors: All of the interviewees expressed strong support  Local sports retail (Bicycle Doctor; Frank’s for opening up the watershed lands to public Custom Shoe Fitting); access and creating Middletown Reservoir Trails  Educational institutions (SUNY Orange Park for a variety of reasons. In general, County Community College, Fei Tian Academy interviewees see the Park as benefitting local of the Arts, Enlarged City School District of residents directly because it will be an important Middletown); and unique new recreational amenity, and as benefiting the community indirectly through  Hospitality (Sleep Inn and Suites); tourism, increased activity at local businesses, and  Food services (Clemson Bros. and Equilibrium sustaining the tax base that pays for essential breweries); government services. Tourism is a growing source of employment in Orange County and the  Economic development and tourism agencies Catskills, benefiting a wide range of businesses (Middletown Business Improvement District; important to the tax base. Outdoor recreation Orange County Office of Economic amenities such as the planned park, are a critical Development; Orange County Tourism element of the tourism experience. Overall, the Department); interviewees view the Park as aligned with their  Community social services (YMCA); community’s diverse interests, including quality of life for residents, growth of tourism-dependent  Health and hospital (Orange Regional Medical businesses that also serve local needs, and healthy Center); and lifestyles.

Potential Users  Horseback riding; and Interviewees indicated that the greater  Paddle sports such as kayaking and canoeing. Middletown community has a very strong culture Given the popularity of running in Middletown, of outdoor recreation, specifically, cross-country there are at least four distinct ways in which running, but also cycling on roads and trails. The runners expressed interest in using the Park: school system has an unusually robust tradition of informal running individually; informally running in outdoor adventure programing. There is a full small groups; regularly scheduled group runs; and calendar of organized running races, including the competitive races. Races sometimes are divided Orange Classic, a 10 kilometer race that has been into segments, one or more of which could be an annual event for over forty years, the YMCA within the new park. Lastly, running clubs have Ruthie Run, and the Run for Downtown, all of charitable programs and may be interested in which attract thousands of people and hundreds of volunteering to support park operations and even runners to the city every year. Residents place a raising money for facilities. high value on outdoor recreation amenities as part of the quality of life they seek. In addition, the Both brewery owners estimated that about 75% of YMCA and the Greater Hudson Valley Health their customers come from 30-60 minutes away by System/Orange Regional Medical Center have car and tend to be “outdoorsy”, based on social programs to promote active lifestyles to targeted media posts and enthusiasm for joining hundreds populations ranging from the elderly to people of other customers tailgating outside in all kinds of challenged by obesity and diabetes and the weather while waiting to obtain their preferred run general population. The hospital’s community of craft beer. health program partners with doctors who Comments and Concerns “prescribe” visits to parks to their patients. The hospital partners with hiking clubs to usher people Several interviewees noted that runners, cyclists into the world of outdoor recreation, because and other outdoor recreation users value facilities research shows there is a complementary relation that are closed to cars because that feature between participating in such group enhances safety and enjoyment, especially for programming, with their leadership, support and children and parents who are pushing baby solidarity, and individuals’ levels of outdoor strollers. They noted also that the new park would recreation activity outside of groups. be much closer and more convenient than Sam’s Point and the Highland Lakes State Park, the two Interviewees identified the following potential most-cited examples of places to go to run and user groups or types of activities: bike off-road (note that biking does not seem to be  Walking individually and in groups for exercise; permitted at Highland Lakes). Interviewee’s questions and concerns included the following:  Hiking for nature enjoyment, photography, and related activities;  How will the new park connect to the Heritage Trail and other nearby facilities?  Bicycling (hybrid or trail bikes, and “fat tires” or mountain bikes), for both casual and more  Will there be parking for buses, wheelchair strenuous activity; accessible paths, or connection to public transit?  Cross-country running, both individually, in groups, and in scheduled events;  How will the city monitor public safety and deter crime or delinquency in the park?  Nature study by local schools and others; As noted above, feedback was universally  Fishing; positive, with comments such as:  Dog walking;

 “People need places to get outdoors” (local Overall, the interviewees indicated that the business owner) planned new park would fill an important void in the City of Middletown’s otherwise  “This project will help put ‘feet on the street’” impressive existing parks and recreation (economic development agency) facilities. The new park would provide a nearby  “70% of my customers are outdoors people” option for those seeking a rustic path and trail (local business owner) system closed to traffic and with an atmosphere of backcountry tranquility. As one  “Childhood obesity is severe in Middletown” interviewee exclaimed, the park is “completely (community health specialist) needed in Middletown, for sure!” None of the interviewees voiced concerns about operational costs affecting their tax bills.

Trail and Facility Assessment

In December 2018, The Trust for Public Land  Monhagen Reservoir is the collecting reservoir conducted a site visit of the Middletown and the focus of water operations. It has Watershed Lands with the Working Supervisor for existing roads or trails around two-thirds of its the Parks and Recreation Department. In addition circumference and could easily be made into a to the summary observations noted below, please continuous loop that connects through the also reference Appendix A, which includes current yard for the storage of pipes by the photographs of site conditions and a map of photo Water Department. locations.27  The Highland Lake systems of roads and trails  Currently, there are “No Trespassing” signs on can readily be connected to the Monhagen the perimeter of the watershed lands and at Reservoir network via a walking trail, or current gates, which purport to control through the existing network of town roads, (prohibit) public access to the lands. some of which are outside of protected watershed lands, but are nonetheless low  In general, the watershed roads that are on the traffic roads. outside of the gates – Van Duzer Road, Highland Lake Road, Mapes Road, Abraham  Shawangunk Reservoir does not have a looped Road, and Shawangunk Road – are paved. The trail or road system and only has a road on the portion of those roads that are inside the northern side. It is connected to the Highland gates, or the unnamed internal roads, have a road system by internal gravel roads. gravel surface. At all points, the roads are at  There is a power line across the watershed that least 10 feet wide. could be considered for a trail system.  The road and trail system is well developed all  The City has logged a portion of the watershed the way around Highland Reservoir, which the in the past and also conducted some salvage City views as the focus of recreational efforts. logging when a large stand of pines was The gravel roads are in excellent condition toppled by wind during Hurricane Irene. along the eastern and northern sides of the reservoir, but are steep and muddy on the  Other uses to be considered are that the City southern side of the reservoir. has a long-term lease for the use of a portion of its land and an existing building to a pistol  Highland Reservoir has an existing caretaker’s club. The club has an indoor range that is also house and garage that could be renovated into used by the police. There is a garage on the site a visitor’s center. It is easily accessed from of a second, former caretaker’s house that had Mapes Road and is about a hundred yards from been built by the Army Corps of Engineers, that town-maintained, paved road. The City which is currently vacant. At that site, we believes that the primary access could be from understand that the police are considering Mapes Road off of Tallyho Road to the north of building kennels for the K-9 unit, storage, and the watershed, with a potential secondary or possibly an outdoor range. emergency access from Highland Lakes Road off of Mt. Hope Road to the south of the watershed. Note that Highland Lakes Road extends to the south and north of the watershed past the gates, and is continuous if the internal gravel roadway system is taken into account. 12

Security and Safety Analysis

Project partner DVS, a security firm, reviewed or homicide, and sexual assault). Existing trail potential security options and considerations studies have been reviewed to provide insight into associated with Middletown Reservoir Trails in security concerns and risks in a future Middletown light of its experience in assessing parks and trails Reservoir Trails park: security across the country. Its analysis and  The 606 Bloomingdale Trail is a 2.7–mile recommendations were informed by Crime elevated urban walking/biking path in Prevention Through Environmental Design Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Police (CPTED) principles that are commonly applied as Department shared a crime analysis of a 16- part of the design, engineering, and construction month span, which show what it calls a “fairly process to deter or minimize the potential for low crime rate” given the trail’s length and criminal activities at public facilities (some CPTED location.29 Chicago has seen a trend of safety principles are as simple as lighting, clear sight in numbers; the more people on the trail, the lines, and good signage and wayfinding). Among less crime was reported, and in many instances other elements of its review, DVS interviewed an attempted crime stopped because another Middletown Water Department personnel, the walker or biker was present. The trail closes at former watershed lands caretaker, and 11 p.m., and most crimes occurred at night.30 Middletown police and emergency responders. The 606 Bloomingdale Trail has police foot and DVS also reviewed data about crimes and security bike patrols and ATV use to close the trail. concerns in the area surrounding the watershed lands.  Mecklenburg County, North Carolina has 49- miles of greenway trails. Their studies show Generally speaking, crimes in Middletown area increased property values and residential hover around the national average, with a crime safety along the trails. In 1997, Mecklenburg index rate of 18 out of 100, meaning it is safer than County Mallard Creek Greenway compared 18% of U.S. cities.28 The most prominent crimes in crime rates of the greenway and adjacent the Middletown area are property crimes, the most properties with the surrounding police district prevalent being theft. Most crimes are and city, finding that the crime rate along concentrated just outside the city in the Mallard Creek Greenway and adjacent Mechanicstown and Washington Heights areas, properties was nearly 50% lower than the and in the Concord Lane and High Barney Road surround district. Fourteen Mecklenburg neighborhoods in the south portion of the city, County Greenways crime statistics were whereas the watershed lands are located to the studied between 2001 and 2003, and the west of the city, abutting Mount Hope in the findings show that properties adjacent to the neighborhood of Pilgrim Corner which has safe trail did not have any greater risk of crime ratings. compared to other properties within the same Regarding the potential for crimes at any new neighborhood statistical area. Nevertheless, in park, including Middletown Reservoir Trails, the 2018, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police most likely are quality-of-life crimes (e.g., illegal dedicated a transportation division team to substance abuse and dealing, intoxication leading patrol the greenways. to disorderly conduct, unauthorized use of ATV’s  The Farmington Canal Heritage Greenway and other vehicles), followed by property crimes spans 84-miles from New Haven, CT to North (e.g., robbery, theft, trespassing, vandalism, open Hampton, MA. Robbery and theft are the most fires or arson), and lastly, crimes against persons common crimes on the trail. These property (e.g., threatening and stalking, aggravated assault 13

crimes are seen in areas of higher crime Counties allow fishing, hunting and recreation, outside of the canal and adjacent properties. and there has been little to no criminal This is the case for the 11-mile stretch from activities that compromise the safety of New Haven to Hamden, CT. Local law persons or water supply. New York City has enforcement has seen the trail go through concluded, and experience has shown, that periods of activity and in-activity, but have recreational visitors do not pose a risk of correlated the crime decrease to times when contaminating the water supply. Signage, the trail is more in use and popular. monitoring of water supplies, and periodic patrols are considered sufficient to control  New York City reservoirs in Delaware, Green, risks and keep visitors safe. Ulster, Schoharie, Putnam and Westchester

Recommendations for Action and Implementation

Access and Trails Transportation Officials recommends a  Primary public access is recommended from minimum of 10 feet for multi-use trails and 12 Mapes Road off of Tallyho Road to the north to 14 feet for areas with heavy use. If trails side of the watershed and connecting with cannot accommodate multiple activities, then existing, internal gravel roads near the house choices should be made about restrictions for that can be renovated and repurposed as a the safest travels. visitor’s center.  Ultimately, the City should consider creating  Emergency or secondary access is possible new, separate and dedicated single-track trails from Highland Lakes Road off of Mt. Hope for mountain biking, a use with faster speeds Road to the south of the watershed. (Note that that can also cause erosion unless trails are Highland Lakes Road extends to the south and designed to appropriate standards developed north of the watershed past the gates, and is by the International Mountain Biking continuous if the internal gravel roadway Association. It is common for mountain biking system is taken into account.) In addition, the groups to improve, build, maintain and city could explore creating another access monitor such trails on a volunteer basis to point off of Route 78 / Dorothy Dix Road near promote orderly and safe use of trails. Monhagen Lake, where there is an existing woods road connecting to a meadow near the  In addition to ADA accessibility access, ADA lake (this is marked on the attached map as a accessible trail design should be considered. footpath). This may require grading or filling the current road system and eventually the development  Infrastructure would be required at both the of a boardwalk on a portion of the trail system. primary and secondary/emergency entrances, including a gate, parking lot, and signage. The  Some basic repairs to the gates and trail access road and parking should accommodate system are needed in the first few years to buses to ensure use by the school district, maintain existing internal roads as multi-use YMCA, and others. trails for pedestrians and bikers. In addition, the City should keep current off-road trails as  Regarding different user groups at outdoor pedestrian (hiker/walker) only, and that recreation facilities, the standard practice is to proposed trails be designated as pedestrian or use design elements to minimize user multi-use, as appropriate. See Appendix B conflicts.31 Generally this means separating (map of Middletown Reservoir Trails). motorized and non-motorized uses as a first- order planning and design standard. As a  The trails around Monhagen and Highland second-order planning and design standard, lakes should be connected to each other by an trails that are intended for multiple users such appropriate means depending on user groups, as pedestrians and bikers should be wide i.e., either a footpath or ideally a multi- enough to accommodate both users that pass purpose gravel road. each other in opposite directions and users of  The City could consider creating trail links to different speeds such that faster travelers can Monhagen Middle School and Maple Hill pass slower travelers when moving in the same Elementary School, which are located next to direction. The American Association of State the old New York State Psychiatric Center and Highway and are adjacent to the forested watershed lands around Monhagen Lake, to facilitate use of the trails by the schools and use of the watershed

lands for environmental education. These trail  An information kiosk should be located near links would need to be clearly marked and the visitor’s center or main gate, which would controlled to prevent people walking onto provide a large map of the property, safety school property from the woods. In addition, information, site history, and a weather- the trails should not encourage parking at the protected enclosure for paper maps and other schools by the general public, as it is not information that users can take. allowed.  All maps, trail signs, and perimeter signs  The City should determine the appropriate should clearly indicate permitted uses as well buffer around areas such as water supply as prohibited areas, which might include the facilities or the shooting range that are off area around the pistol range and any limits to general visitors, and block or reroute operational facilities used by the water any trails that would cross or lead to the buffer. department, police department or other This can be done through temporary measures official use. but ultimately discontinued trails should be  Trails should include “QRL” codes that interact planted to blend into the surrounding with an app to provide information about the landscape and forest. trail and location, and also to solicit  The City has additional funds for acquisition of information from visitors that might be useful watershed lands and could consider parcels for emergency response, public engagement, that will enhance recreational benefits and park management and programming. trails, in addition to water quality and other Activation, Programming, and Marketing benefits.  As shown by the stakeholder interviews, there Signs and Wayfinding is significant demand and interest in using the  Signs clearly communicating the approved watershed lands for both programmed and un- uses, hours of operations, and other rules and programmed recreational activities. It is regulations, consistent with the City of recommended that an Activation and Middletown’s Parks and Recreation Programming Task Force or Committee be Department’s rules and regulations, should be established, chaired by the City and consisting installed to replace existing “no trespassing” of key stakeholders, to provide input to signs at the property perimeter and gates, as activities and create buy-in and support for the appropriate. new park. The Task Force should be to coordinate efforts and ensure alignment with  At train junctions and gates, trail signs and intended uses and access. The task force could wayfinding are also needed to ensure consider such issues as policies around group orientation of users. Trails should be clearly use and special events, whether and when marked or blazed. permits should be required, and issues around  Signage and wayfinding practices should expanded uses such as fishing. follow New York State’s Trails Technical  Given the expressed interest in organized and Standards and Guidelines32, which outlines competitive running races, the City or its Task best practices for trail signage, blazing, and Force should consider an annual “Turkey Trot” overview maps. Trail signs or posts should or other race, which would raise awareness of indicate direction of travel, distances to known the new park and possibly funds for upkeep. junctions or landmarks, the relevant color or This event could be run by a local running mark of each trail, and the permitted uses on group. such trails.  To raise awareness of the new park, the City should consider basic marketing materials to

help spread the word to residents and visitors,  We do recommend the development of a city- including a “launch” event, an article in a local sanctioned patrol program which might paper, a tri-fold brochure with map for tourism include the following: boards, local businesses, and other o Foot patrols; stakeholders, and posting the trail map on the City’s website. o Bike patrols; Security and Safety o ATV/Gator patrols (mobile emergency vehicles should be housed at the facility for  As with all parks, entry and exit points should quick responses to incidents off the gravel be well-lit (following Illuminating Engineering roads); and Society of North America standards) and have signs indicating the rules and regulations such o A reservoir watch program, which should as hours of operation, allowable recreation be further defined with the assistance of activities, restrictions on fires and other the city’s first responders and legal activities, and wildlife dangers. Signs should department to develop obligatory training be visible (e.g., kept clear of vegetation, well- and protocols. maintained, appropriately lit and in line-of- Currently, the watershed lands sit on multiple sight). police and first responder jurisdictions, and legal  Signs at access points and throughout the trail pursuits will be determined by the municipalities. should also be visible and readily-identifiable, Existing programs will help organize police, fire with typical color-coded entry trail markers to and EMS coordination for watershed land provide quick descriptions of approximate incidents. locations to emergency response personnel.  There is an on-going joint-radio project to  For vehicle access points, measures to provide all digital communication to police preclude unauthorized vehicles from entering departments to support quick and easy the park should be considered. A vehicle correspondence. access management program should include  There is an existing agreement between the fences, gates, removable bollards, or another municipalities that will likely be implemented means of restricting vehicles while allowing for at Middletown Reservoir Trails for first reasonable access by emergency and service response. vehicles. This will be further informed by local law enforcement and first responders.  A ‘blue-light’ system is being considered by the city for emergency communication to  At this time, we do not recommend video response municipalities. If implemented, blue- surveillance on paths as such a program would lights should be strategically located at require a significant number of cameras to existing power location such as entries, the cover the park and significant resources to be former caretaker house (future visitor center) monitored in real time. Realistically, any video or water pump sheds. This ensures higher would likely be used after the fact, and would reliability and lower costs. have limited coverage, precluding any interdiction value and providing only limited  The managing personnel should consider a deterrence value. It is our opinion that method of communication to the public about functional value is not sufficient to justify the special events, inclement weather and significant capital and operational expense at dangerous condition or wildlife. These this moment. methods may include a mobile application with push-out notifications or brochure at park entrances and information kiosks.

Operations and Maintenance Proposed Budget and Funding  Existing city employees of the Water  A draft capital and operational budget for the Department and Recreational Department can first five years of operation is attached in provide many of the required services Appendix C. (opening and closing gates, emptying trash  It is anticipated that in addition to its own cans, providing a presence in the park, funds, the City will seek matching grants or observing any inappropriate uses) at little or funds for capital needs, including through the no additional effort. The attached, proposed State Consolidated Funding Application, State budget accounts for additional hours for such agency or legislative funds, federal Outdoor tasks as well as for the proposed, relatively Recreational Leadership Program funds, minor, capital upgrades such as installing National Endowment for the Arts grants, and fences, spreading gravel on roads, and other external sources. repairing fences.

 Volunteer stewardship groups should be encouraged and if existing groups do not cover the watershed, then a non-profit “friends of” or conservancy group should be established. The stewardship group would be another way to disseminate information about Middletown Reservoir Trails and would be the official point of contact for organizing corporate, church, or other organizational cleanups, trail maintenance, and other activities. In addition, the stewardship group could run an “adopt a trail” sponsorship program.  In addition, specialized stewardship groups could build and maintain facilities such as dedicated mountain bike trails or hiking trails.

Further Study

We recommend that after the new park is  A citywide or regional inventory of established, that the City continue the study of recreational, cultural, and natural resources; additional enhancements or relevant information,  Regulatory and legal review, including the which might include: water quality impacts of expanded uses;  Enhancing connectivity to downtown to  Expansion of uses to paddle sports, fishing, facilitate non-motorized transportation to the and horseback riding – if enough demand; site, such as marked bike lanes on roads, a new surface trail to the Heritage Trail Extension, a  Extension of the Long Path through the new trail along Monhagen Brook, and watershed and across County-owned lands to daylighting of Monhagen Brook; the west, or expansion of the park to include the Indigot Creek Watershed, a twenty square mile upgradient watershed area that is leased 18

from the County, which has separate use restrictions;  A regional trail network with Port Jervis, with a connecting corridor of protected lands and trails;  Considerations for public access and trails when acquiring additional watershed lands; and  Technical assistance on local conservation funding measures under the Community Preservation Act or other sources, as well as carbon credit markets as a funding sources, based on the sequestration value provided by the watershed’s protected and growing forest, all to go to a fund for acquisition of open space and maintenance of trails and parks.

Appendix A: Trail and Facility Assessment Site Conditions

Site Assessment Key

1. Monhagen Gate and Road, off of Reservoir Road. 2. Pipeyard Gate and Road, off of Reservoir Road. 3. Monhagen Gate and Road (back), off of Van Duzer Road. Across from old 4. caretaker’s house that is now gone, by the pistol range. 5. Highland Gate and Road, off of Abrahamson Road. 6. Internal road junction. 7. Caretaker’s House, gate to Mapes Road. 8. Internal road junction. 9. Connection to trail by old log cabin, old forest roads. 10. Internal junction. 11. Connection to trail to old log cabin, old forest roads. 12. Internal junction. 13. Turnaround, connection to trails. 14. Potential connection to future trails and Monhagen system. 15. Mapes/Tallyho Roads intersection. 16. Shawangunk Gate and Road.

Photo Location 1

Photo Location 2

Photo Location 3

Photo Location 4

Photo Location 5

Photo Location 6-1

Photo Location 6-2

Photo Location 7

Photo Location 8

Photo Location 9

Photo Location 10-1

Photo Location 10-2

Photo Location 11

Photo Location 12

Photo Location 13

Photo Location 14

Photo Location 15

Appendix B: Middletown Reservoir Trail Map

D KINGSTON

M R L O TOP NOTCH RD D A IF H R C OR sonic Creek O a O

LL N M B I I A W

D H

R D E R

R E L L

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A H

PA A P M I

N L G L S R T O IM

N N 684 C O ¨¦§ P R O CT IE M R D R S R N O E E N V R 287 H S 95 IL ¨¦§ §¨¦ L R WHITE PLAINS RD P D NJ P §¨¦80 Otisville Pipe 280 Campground 17 D N yard ¨¦§ UV R L O E

495 IV P

! NEW YORK CITY !

! H T ! 278 § ¨¦ Y SHAWANGUNK KILL A

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E ! E Z

D 60

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R V ! B G D R E E T D R E AKS

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S RD Z L ! E A U T A M IT P l D A

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g V E ! R ! ( H E

a house and garage S N A ! w D a A E AV

Y h IR G ! S D E E

L le R ! L tt A N

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A 4 I ! P L CR-78 X H WATERSHED EGERTON AVE D IG R 11

! H Monhagen Brook GG

! P (!> W MAIN ST k

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! GUYMARD TPKE ST ! INDIGOT

! CREEK

Gateway School Wetland (NWI) ! P WATERSHED INDIGOT 4

! CREEK Existing road in study area Township boundary Building

! WATERSHED Existing hiking trail Railroad (inactive) Municipal land

! ! !

D ! ! ! Proposed hiking trail County land !

! R Railroad (active)

! PE

! O

! H

! T

! ! ! ! M !

! 11 Proposed multi-use trail In-service power transmission line Private park or open space

! DALY RD

GG !

! City or Census Designated Place

Watershed (HUC 12)! boundary ! !

0 0.25 0.5 ! !

Miles ! ! ± ! 11

GG !

! MiddletownJune 20, 2019. Copyright © The Trust for Public Land. The Trust for Public Reservoir Land and The Trust for Public Land logo are federally registered Trails marks of The Trust for Public Land. Information on this map is provided for purposes of !

discussion and visualization only. www.tpl.org

! !

Appendix C: Capital and Operational Budget

Middletown Reservoir Trails

PROPOSED CAPITAL BUDGET

Category Number Units Cost Total Phase I Repair, Upgrade Existing Gates 3 10,000 $ 30,000 Solar Lights at Gates 9 100 $ 900 Gravel for Parking Lot 50 cy 100 $ 5,000 Gravel Fill for Roadways 300 cy 100 $ 30,000

Entrance Signs 3 500 $ 1,500 Information Signs 3 1,000 $ 3,000 Solar Lights at Info Signs 3 100 $ 300 Trail Marker Posts 50 50 $ 2,500 Benches 20 500 $ 10,000 Picnic tables 5 700 $ 3,500

Trash receptacles 10 100 $ 1,000 Locks, Misc. Supplies $ 2,000 Design, CM, and Oversight (including web pages, $ 25,000 brochure and map development) ATV / Gator for Patrols 1 12,000 $ 12,000 Printing $ 10,000 Phase 1 Total $ 136,700 Phases 2-3 Fence upgrade and repair 2,500 linear ft 20 $ 50,000 Stabilization, repair of caretaker house for visitor $ 200,000 center Trail closures and replanting linear ft 10 $ 50,000

Phase 2-3 total $ 300,000 Phase 4-5 Fence upgrade and repair 2,500 linear ft 20 $ 50,000 Reserve (repairs of roads, trails, fences, new parking $ 90,000 lot, additional signs, maps and brochures, web maintenance, etc.) Additional trails 10,000 linear ft 10 $ 100,000

Phase 4-5 total $ 240,000 Full Development Budget $ 676,700

PROPOSED EXPENSE BUDGET

Category Number Cost Total Water Department staff time for opening and 1000 hours 25 $ 25,000 closing gates, road and fence maintenance, etc. Security & emergency response staff time 200 hours 50 $ 10,000

Total $ 35,000

POTENTIAL REVENUE

Category Number Each Total Races & Competitions 2 3,000 $ 6,000 Concession lease at visitor center 6 1,500 $ 9,000 (monthly/seasonal) Educational support from savings/other trips 1 10,000 $ 10,000 Direct support, "friends of" conservancy group 1 10,000 $ 10,000 Total $ 35,000

Endnotes

1 The project team consists of The Trust for Public Land, Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, and DVS Security. 2 See http://www.waterworkshistory.us/NY/Middletown/ (accessed May 20, 2019), and sources cited therein, especially J. A. Korschen, The Development of the Middletown, N.Y., Water Supply, Journal of the American Water Works Association 22(5):655-662 (May 1930) (the author was the Commissioner of Public Works in Middletown) and An Interview With Korschen on Water System, Middletown Times-Herald (Dec. 28, 1927). 3 See www.parkserve.org, search for Middletown, NY (accessed on April 3, 2019). According to proprietary mapping by The Trust for Public Land – which is nonetheless made public at the website noted – 21,525 residents in Middletown live within a 10 minute walk of a park, while 5,990 residents do not. The ParkServe data does not yet reflect newly added parks. 4 Outdoor Industry Association, Outdoor Activity Report 2018, file:///C:/Users/Carter.Strickland/Downloads/2018_Outdoor_Recreation_Participation_Report_FINAL2.pdf (accessed April 4, 2019). 5 See https://www.nynjtc.org/region/long-path. 6 Access Impact Mapping analysis by The Trust for Public Land, run on September 25, 2018. 7 Outdoor Industry Association, Outdoor Activity Report 2018, https://outdoorindustry.org/resource/2018-outdoor- participation-report/ (accessed April 4, 2019). 8 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2014-2019, p. 14, https://parks.ny.gov/inside-our- agency/documents/201419StatewideComprehensiveOutdoorRecreationPlan.pdf, (accessed April 18, 2019). 9 Ibid. 10 Access Impact Mapping analysis by The Trust for Public Land, run on September 25, 2018. 11 Longwoods International, https://www.roostadk.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Adirondacks-2017-Visitor-Report- Final.pdf. 12 Daniel Axelrod, Times Herald-Record, “Hudson Valley Tourists Spending More Every Year,” accessed March 1, 2019, https://www.recordonline.com/news/20180826/hudson-valley-tourists-spending-more-every-year. 13 Outdoor Industry Association, New York, accessed March 1, 2019, https://outdoorindustry.org/state/new-york/. 14 Kiplinger, “10 Great Cities to Raise Your Kids,” May 22, 2012, accessed February 7, 2019, https://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/real-estate/T006-S001-10-great-cities-to-raise-your-kids/index.html. 15 Orange County Department of Health, New York, Orange County Community Improvement Plan Update: 2016-2018, accessed March 8, 2019, http://www.healthyorange.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Orange_County_CHIP_2016- 2018_Final_with_Appendix_Updated_12.29.16-2.pdf. 16 M. Pratt, C. A. Macera, and G. Wang, “Higher Direct Medical Costs Associated with Physical Inactivity,” Physician and Sports Medicine 28, no. 10 (2000): 63–70. 17 Roland D. McDevitt and Sylvester J. Schieber, From Baby Boom to Elder Boom: Providing Health Care for an Aging Population (Washington, DC: Watson Wyatt Worldwide, 1996). 18 P. Veugelers, F. Sithole, and S. Zhang, “Neighborhood Characteristics in Relation to Diet, Physical Activity and Overweight of Canadian Children,” International Journal of Pediatric Obesity 3 (2008): 152–159”; Ian Alcock, Mathew P. White, Benedict W. Wheeler, Lora E. Fleming, and Michael H. Depledge, “Longitudinal Effects on Mental Health of Moving to Greener and Less Green Urban Areas,” Environmental Science and Technology 48, no. 2 (2014): 1247–1255; M. R. Marselle, K. N. Irvine, and S. L. Warber, “Examining Group Walks in Nature and Multiple Aspects of Well- Being: A Large-Scale Study,” Ecopsychology 6, no. 3 (2014): 134–147; Claude Bouchard, Steven N. Blair, and William Haskell, Physical Activity and Health (Human Kinetics, 2012); Ronald Sturm and Deborah Cohen, “Proximity to Urban Parks and Mental Health,” Journal of Mental Health Policy and Economics 17, no. 1 (2014): 19–24; Peter James, Jaime E. Hart, Rachel F. Banay, and Francine Laden, “Exposure to Greenness and Mortality in a Nationwide Prospective Cohort Study of Women,” Environmental Health Perspectives 124, no. 9 (2016): 1344-1352. 19 Orange Regional Medical Center and Greater Hudson Valley Health System, Orange Regional Medical Center 2016-2018 Community Service Plan, accessed April 3, 2019, https://www.ormc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2016-2018-ORMC- Community-Service-Plan-12_30_16.pdf.

20 Tommy L. Brown and Nancy A. Connelly, “State Parks and Residential Property Values in New York,” Unpublished manuscript, Cornell University, Department of Natural Resources, Ithaca, NY (1983). Cited in Crompton 2001. 21 Fund for a Better Waterfront, “The Legacy of Central Park: How Downing, Vaux and Olmstead Set the Standard for American Parks,” August 30, 2018, accessed February 7, 2019, https://betterwaterfront.org/?p=9649; 22 The Trust for Public Land, The Economic Benefits and Fiscal Impact of Parks and Open Space in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, New York, 2010. 23 U.S. Census Bureau, QuickFacts: Middletown city, New York, Median value of owner-occupied housing units 2013-2017. 24 Farmland Information Center, Cost of Community Services Studies, accessed February 29, 2019, http://www.farmlandinfo.org/sites/default/files/Cost_of_Community_Services_Studies_AFT_FIC_201609.pdf. 25 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Healthy Watersheds Protection: Benefits of Healthy Watersheds,” accessed March 12, 2019, https://www.epa.gov/hwp/benefits-healthy-watersheds#ecosystem; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, The Economic Benefits of Protecting Healthy Watersheds, April 2012, accessed March 12, 2019, https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-10/documents/economic_benefits_factsheet3.pdf. 26 The Trust for Public Land, The Economic Benefits of New York’s Environmental Protection Fund, 2012. 27 Please note that this is an assessment for planning purposes only, and the integrity of dams, roads, buildings, etc. is outside the scope of this report 28 https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ny/middletown/crime. 29 The Chicago Police Department data shows 22 crimes reported in the past 16 months, with 13 robberies and 9 attempted theft and/or battery that stopped when a third person, a trail user, arrived. 30 The data on crime on The 606 shows that 50% of the crimes occurred between 12:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., 25% occurred after 10:30 p.m., and 25% occurred between 6:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. 31 American Trails has published a white paper summarizing the state of the field at https://www.americantrails.org/images/documents/Conflicts.pdf (accessed on April 5, 2019). The Rails to Trails Conservancy has a summary of user conflict guidelines at https://www.railstotrails.org/build-trails/trail-building-toolbox/design/designing- for-user-type/ (accessed on April 5, 2019). 32 See: https://parks.ny.gov/recreation/trails/documents/TrailsTechnicalStandardsandGuidelines.pdf; https://parks.ny.gov/recreation/trails/documents/TrailsTechnicalSignageGuidelines.pdf

The Trust for Public Land 666 Broadway, 9th Floor New York, NY 10012 212.677.7171 photos: steve aaron tpl.org