ORANGE COUNTY, N.Y.—Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus made several public announcements regarding open spaces in late October, including green spaces in Warwick and the village of Chester and a park in the town of Chester.
The first piece of land recommended for preservation is the village of Chester’s Krieger Hill at 74 Main St. The hill sits across from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Chester and is located two residential blocks from Carpenter Community Park.
Alan Sorensen, Orange County commissioner of planning, said in a statement about the recommendation: “The context of a parcel of land is essential when choosing land for open space protection. For example, a small parcel in a village protecting a vital viewshed or serving as a village green may have greater value than a large parcel on the edge of town. The Village of Chester’s site is a great example of this.”
Under the Open Space Fund, the village of Chester would be given ownership of the property.
The second piece of land recommended for preservation is the Purple Path Lavender Farm at 147 Jessup Road in Warwick. With the Open Space Fund, it would be preserved indefinitely for farming and agriculture, taking advantage of the Black Dirt Region’s fertile soil. The property is adjacent to other preserved farms.
The Purple Path Lavender Farm grows and sells lavender and lavender products. In the warm months, the 62.6-acre property is a dark purple with beautiful lavender flowers.
“The Town of Warwick has done a tremendous job preserving farmland for over twenty years now, so it is great to see them continuing to do everything they can to sustain agriculture and support farmers,” said Jim Delaune, executive director of the Orange County Land Trust, in the statement.
Neuhaus established the Open Space Fund in 2024 to protect important environmental and agricultural lands. Since its creation, it has helped preserve thousands of acres of land in cooperation with local municipalities and private stakeholders.
Both recommended properties are awaiting committee approval.
The county is opening 57 1/2 acres of the Sugar Loaf Mountain property at 245 Laroe Road as a public park. The park has walking and hiking trails, picnic areas with tables and benches, and two fishing ponds.
The park, currently referred to as the Orange County Recreation Area, is located at 245 Laroe Road in Chester. It will later be given a name and will continue to be expanded and developed.
The Orange County Land Trust purchased the 309-acre mountain property in January 2024. The county then bought it in May for $2.2 million.
