Franny Reese State Park

Scenic Hudson is proudly dedicating one of its newest parks to the memory of Frances "Franny" Reese (1917 - 2003), a Scenic Hudson founder and guiding spirit.

The dramatic riverfront bluffs of the Franny Reese State Park

UPDATE: On March 6, 2008, more than 60 people attended a community meeting at the Highland Fire District to learn about the plans to improve this 250-acre property. See this page for details.

Highland, Ulster -- This "park-in-progess" features 250 acres of impressive ridgeline just south of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Mid-Hudson Bridge.

The rugged landscape offers views of the Mid-Hudson Bridge and Hudson River as well as points along the river's east shore, such as the historic Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge and the Samuel F.B. Morse Historic Site, where Franny served as a board member. The land boasts a broad array of tree species and features carriage trails and stone walls that crisscross the acreage.

Franny was passionate about preserving every bit of riverfront land for the public. She cared dearly about the west shore, and this site is one of the area's most prominent parcels - its steep bluffs seen by thousands crossing the Mid-Hudson Bridge every day. The wooded ridgeline defines the view from Locust Grove and the Poughkeepsie shoreline. From the property, one can see south to the Hudson Highlands and north past the railroad bridge.

Other than this preserve, there is no significant public access to land along the river's west shore until the Newburgh waterfront - a full 20 miles away.

A trail leads to the property from the Town of Lloyd's Johnson-Iorio Park, located immediately north of the bridge's Ulster County side. The path takes visitors under the bridge and connects them to a carriage trail that accesses the site.

Scenic Hudson purchased the property in 2003 to protect it from development and preserve it as a public resource. New York State assumed ownership in 2006. The Franny Reese State Park will be managed for public use by Scenic Hudson and the Palisades Interstate Park Commission on behalf of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

The purchase was made possible by funding from the Lila Acheson and DeWitt Wallace Hudson Valley Land Preservation Endowment.

Directions and Map

Crossing Mid-Hudson Bridge from east to west, take Route 9W north and take first right onto Haviland Road. Parking area for Johnson-Iorio Park is located at the end of Haviland Road. From parking area, descend stairs and cross under Mid-Hudson Bridge. Trailhead is on the right.