Town of Chester Orange County, New York Recreation and Open Space Plan December 2007 © 2007 Laberge Group 4 Computer Drive West Albany, New York 12205 Project Number: 25032 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This plan was prepared with the assistance, direction and cooperation of the Town of Chester Parks and Recreation Commission and the residents of the Town of Chester. Town of Chester Parks and Recreation Plan Commission Paul Quirke, Chairperson Joanne Binder, Co-Chairperson Jim Delmar, Parks and Recreation Director Steve Neuhaus, Town Board Liaison Spencer Effron Tina Pelaez Rob Salzberg Jim Muth John Deshler Town Board Members William Tully, Town Supervisor Margaret Grumbach Steve Neuhaus Cynthia Smith Noel C. Spencer Special thanks to Nick Zungoli for cover photograph of Broadview Estates View. TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgments ........................................................................................................................i 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................1-1 1.1 This Planning Process ..................................................................................................1-1 1.1.1 What is a Recreation and Open Space Plan? ........................................................1-1 1.1.2 Town of Chester Parks and Recreation Commission ............................................1-1 1.2 Public Participation......................................................................................................1-2 1.2.1 Recreation Needs Survey .....................................................................................1-2 1.2.2 Roundtable Discussions .......................................................................................1-3 1.2.3 Visioning Open House Workshop ........................................................................1-3 1.2.4 Additional Community Feedback ........................................................................1-4 1.3 Previous Plans and Studies...........................................................................................1-5 1.3.1 Town of Chester Comprehensive Plan, 2003........................................................1-5 1.3.2 The Art of Planning: A Healthy Infrastructure Plan for Sugar Loaf, 2004.............1-6 1.3.3 Southern Wallkill Biodiversity Plan, 2005 ...........................................................1-8 1.3.4 Recreation and Open Space Planning Project, 1993 .............................................1-9 1.3.5 Orange County, New York Open Space Plan, 2004............................................ 1-11 2. Community Profile ......................................................................................................2-1 2.1 Town Location ............................................................................................................2-1 2.2 Town History ..............................................................................................................2-1 2.3 Town Environmental and Geological Features .............................................................2-1 2.3.1 Topography .........................................................................................................2-2 2.3.2 Scenic Roads .......................................................................................................2-2 2.3.3 Wetlands .............................................................................................................2-2 2.3.4 Floodplains .........................................................................................................2-2 2.3.5 Rare and Endangered Species ..............................................................................2-3 2.4 Demographic Profile ....................................................................................................2-3 2.4.1 Population ...........................................................................................................2-3 2.4.2 Age Distribution ..................................................................................................2-4 2.4.3 Educational Attainment .......................................................................................2-5 2.4.4 Income ................................................................................................................2-6 2.4.5 Housing...............................................................................................................2-6 2.5 Existing Zoning, Land Use, and Land Use Regulations ................................................2-8 2.5.1 Zoning Districts...................................................................................................2-8 2.5.2 Summary of Land Use (2004) ............................................................................ 2-10 2.5.3 Development Pressure ....................................................................................... 2-12 2.5.4 Open Area Development Law (1984) ................................................................ 2-13 2.5.5 Cluster Zoning Development ............................................................................. 2-13 2.6 Transportation ........................................................................................................... 2-14 2.6.1 Main Roads and Highways ................................................................................ 2-14 2.6.2 Pedestrian and Bike Routes ............................................................................... 2-15 Town of Chester Recreation and Open Space Plan Page i Table of Contents 3. Existing Parks and Open Space ....................................................................................3-1 3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................3-1 3.2 Town Owned Parks and Recreation Facilities...............................................................3-1 3.2.1 Chester Commons ...............................................................................................3-2 3.2.2 Chester Community Carpenter Park .....................................................................3-4 3.2.3 Pulvrent Field ......................................................................................................3-5 3.2.4 Broadview Estates ...............................................................................................3-6 3.2.5 Oak Drive Park ...................................................................................................3-6 3.2.6 Lake Hill Farms Cluster Land ..............................................................................3-7 3.3 School Owned Properties .............................................................................................3-7 3.3.1 Chester Union Free Elementary School ...............................................................3-7 3.3.2 Chester Academy High School ............................................................................3-8 3.3.3 Butch’s Field .......................................................................................................3-9 3.3.4 Former High School Field ...................................................................................3-9 3.4 Other Publicly Owned Properties .................................................................................3-9 3.4.1 Black Meadow Creek Reservoir ..........................................................................3-9 3.4.2 Goosepond Mountain State Park ........................................................................ 3-10 3.5 Privately Owned Properties........................................................................................ 3-11 3.5.1 Camp Monroe ................................................................................................... 3-11 3.5.2 Windridge Condominium Lands ........................................................................ 3-12 3.5.3 McNeil Property ................................................................................................ 3-12 3.5.4 Monroe-Chester Rod and Gun Club ................................................................... 3-12 3.5.5 Privately Protected Open Space Parcels ............................................................. 3-12 3.5.6 Sugar Loaf Community Areas ........................................................................... 3-12 3.6 Public and Private Trails ............................................................................................ 3-13 3.6.1 Orange Heritage Trail ........................................................................................ 3-13 3.6.2 Appalachian Trail .............................................................................................. 3-14 3.6.3 Highlands Trail ................................................................................................. 3-15 3.6.4 Sugar Loaf Mountain Trail System .................................................................... 3-15 3.7 Other Resources ........................................................................................................ 3-16 3.7.1 Library and Senior Center ................................................................................. 3-16 3.7.2 National Register Sites ...................................................................................... 3-16 3.8 Town of Chester Parks and Recreation ......................................................................