“The goals established in this Corridor Management Plan provide a framework to enhance and preserve the desired natural, historic and rural scenic character of this distinctive corridor while encouraging recreation and improving roadway safety for the community and the region.” Route 9D Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan 2006 Route 9D Scenic Byway Acknowledgements Thank you is extended to all those who dedicated time and effort to the completion of the Route 9D Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan. The following are those who volunteered their time and served in an advisory capacity and those who worked on the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) project team. We would also like to thank the many community residents who participated in the Public Workshops. Route 9D Scenic Byway Route 9D Scenic Byway Steering Committee Members NYSDOT Project Team William Mazzuca, Town Supervisor Elizabeth Nussbaum, Resident Robert A. Dennison, III, PE Sarah Geer, Steering Committee Chair Martha North, Resident Regional Director Gloria Colucci, School Superintendent Kirby Brown, Resident William J. Gorton, PE Anita Prentice, School Board President Nancy Wareham-Gordon, Resident Regional Design Engineer Mike Finnegan, Resident Fred Osborn, Resident John Adams, Environmental Legal Expert Theresa Polhemus, Business Owner Sandra D. Jobson, RLA, AICP Howard Kaplowitz, Old Road Society Michael Gibbons, Philipstown Planning Board Project Manager Dean Anderson, Garrison Volunteer Fire Hank Osborn, Resident Paul M. LoGallo David Lilburne, Emergency Services Chris Galligan, Business Owner Junior Engineer Gil Burke, Land Trust & Cultural Institute Erik Lismanis, Resident Doug Logan, Business Owner Robert May, Resident Gretchen A. Teal Anne Nichter, Business Owner Mark Galezo, Resident Environmental Specialist Morrie Roberts, Recreation Rich Pepe, Emergency Services Michael K. Schaefer, PE Kevin Amter, Resident Geoffrey Platt, Boscobel Restoration, Inc. Technical Assistance Route 9D Scenic Byway looking south at Boscobel Historic Site, front and back cover. Corridor Management Plan Table of Contents Page Page I. Introduction............................................................. 4-6 ii. Preservation................................... 37-41 II. Inventory of Intrinsic Qualities iii. Transportation............................... 41-43 iv. Recreation ............................................ 43 i. Scenic Resources......................................... 8-9 ii. Natural Resources.................................... 9-11 V. Implementation Strategy......................... 44-49 iii. Recreational Resources .........................11-14 VI. Financial Resources.................................. 50-51 iv. Historical Resources ..............................14-29 VII. Public Involvement ................................... 52-55 III. Transportation ....................................................30-33 VIII. Resources ....................................................... 56 IV. Goals & Objectives i. Safety ........................................................ 34-37 2 Route 9D Scenic Byway Route 9D Scenic Byway Garrison Hamlet Town of Philipstown Putnam County, New York Figure 1. Regional Map. Corridor Management Plan Chapter I. Introduction Introduction gins at the east approach to the Bear Mountain Bridge and contin- A New York State designated scenic byway is a road corridor ues north, paralleling the east side of the Hudson River, through with resources of regional significance. It offers an alterative the Town of Philipstown to the southern village boundary of Cold travel route while telling a story about the region’s natural beauty, Spring in Putnam County, New York. heritage and recreational activities. In the fall of 2005, the Route 9D Scenic Byway Steering Commit- The Scenic Byway Program was launched in 1992 through Article tee was formed, as recommended by NYSDOT after the commu- XII-C of the State Highway Law and is administered by NYSDOT. nity voiced concerns about the corridor’s preservation and safety. There are currently over 2,600 miles of State and Nationally des- The completion of this Corridor Management Plan (CMP) signifies ignated byways in New York State. Some of today’s Scenic By- an important first step in the preservation and improved safety of ways are Scenic Roads that were designated by the New York the corridor by the community, NYSDOT, and the many other State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) in key stakeholders identified during the public planning process. 1985 under the Scenic Roads Program. These roads were “grandfathered” into the Scenic Byway Program in 1995. The The completion of this CMP: Route 9D Scenic Byway is a “grandfathered” scenic road from the • legitimizes the Route 9D Scenic Byway’s standing statewide; NYSDEC program. • makes the corridor eligible for a variety of funding sources, including national scenic byway funds; The Route 9D Scenic Byway, as defined by NYSDEC in 1985, be- • identifies the resources that define the Route 9D Scenic By- 4 Route 9D Scenic Byway way as a special place; local people sleep, work and educate their children literally feet • outlines goals and objectives for the protection and enhance- from the Route 9D Scenic Byway. Along this scenic byway, ment of the Route 9D Scenic Byway resources; through the Hudson Highland, we seek to preserve an area rich in • helps ensure the vision, as defined during the public planning natural beauty and historic significance by focusing on its safe en- process, is achieved and maintained and; joyment for future generations. • outlines an implementation strategy with assigned responsibili- ties and partnerships to guide the short to long term conser- The goal of the Route 9D Scenic Byway Corridor Management vation, safety, enhancement and promotion of the Route 9D Plan is to preserve the elements that make this route both a na- Scenic Byway. tional treasure and a vital 21st century community. That vitality includes a safe recreational trail for hiking and biking that incorpo- Vision rates both the Route 9D Scenic Byway and the recreational lands The Route 9D Scenic Byway is an extraordinary road from the that adjoin it and each other. Prior generations were farsighted in moment it begins at the Bear Mountain Bridge for the simple rea- preserving the land on either side of this 8 mile stretch of road as son that it embraces a plethora of riches in a single 8-mile stretch: well as the historic buildings of both a residential and community panoramic Hudson Highlands and Hudson River views, 19th cen- nature that make Garrison a vital community not just a museum tury roadside residential clusters, Revolutionary War historic town. To allow the scenic, residential and historic nature of the sites, hundreds of acres of public recreational land including the road dictate the limitations on heavy truck usage and appropriate road’s own state designated bike route, and a school whose cam- speed limits will ensure its enjoyment by future generations of pus is bifurcated by the road. A fragile watershed ecosystem lies tourists to the Hudson River Valley, daily commuters making safe beneath this scenic, historic residential area. As with all old roads trips, and local residents simply living their lives. Corridor Management Plan Goals The CMP goals are grouped into four primary categories: safety, preser- vation, transportation and recreation. The goals establish a framework to enhance and preserve the desired natural, historic and rural scenic char- acter of this distinctive corridor while encouraging recreation and im- proving roadway safety for the community and the region. Category I - Safety Safety Goal Promote vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle safety along the Route 9D Scenic Byway. Safety Goal Develop safe access to hiking trails and historic sites along the Route 9D Scenic Byway. Category II - Preservation Preservation Goal Encourage the preservation and enhancement of the scenic, natural and historic re- sources along the Route 9D Scenic Byway. Category III - Transportation Transportation Goal Evaluate potential consequences of restricting 18-wheeler, through trucks from the Route 9D Scenic Byway. Transportation Goal Develop a strategy for the restriction of 18-wheeler, through trucks along the Route 9D Scenic Byway. Category IV - Recreation Recreation Goal Figure 2. Route 9D Scenic Byway looking south in Manitou. Develop a separated, multi-use path for non-motorized transportation and recreation along the Route 9D Scenic Byway. 6 Chapter I. Introduction Route 9D Scenic Byway Route 9D Scenic Byway Garrison Hamlet Town of Philipstown Putnam County, New York Figure 3. Corridor Location Map. Corridor Management Plan Chapter II. Inventory of Intrinsic Qualities Introduction stretch of scenic byway, with many open to the public. These include The Route 9D Scenic Byway is wonderfully rich in scenic, natural, rec- several country estates, built during the gentlemen farmer era of the reational and historic resources. Many of these resources have been 1800’s. not only recognized for their local significance but also for their state and national importance. Scenic Byway Connections The Route 9D Scenic Byway provides connection between major state The Route 9D Scenic Byway runs through the Hudson Highlands in Put- highways, east and west of the Hudson River. The Palisades Interstate nam County, New York. The roadway parallels the Hudson River high Parkway and Route 9W, both major north/south routes along the Hud- above