Dominican Sisters property
For more than 80 years, the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill have enjoyed the bucolic beauty of their unspoiled Hudson riverfront property. Last July, 192 acres of prime real estate abutting the Hudson were opened to the public for “walking, hiking and quiet contemplation.” The land is on the south side of town, accessible from Route 9W, and stretches from the Bishop’s Gate housing development north to Spalding Lane.
The sisters, who take inspiration from St. Francis, that most nature-loving of all the saints, have long used the property as a retreat. According to Sister Mary Murray, president of the group, opening up a portion of the property is in keeping with their mission.
“Over the years, we began to look at the property, to see how it could serve out mission,” Sister Murray said last September. “We wanted to show people how fragile the environment is, and how the earth struggles much like the poor struggle to survive.”
To that end, by opening the land to the public, people will be able to see the beauty of the land and the river, and see the importance of preserving and protecting it, Murray said.
A 2.4-mile loop was created by joining an old foot-path near the river with a maintenance road, more inland. Kate Kane of Scenic Hudson said the trail conditions reflect this: the maintenance road is gravel and flat, while the footpath is more of a hike. Conditions are similar to Poet’s Walk on the other side of the river, said Kane.
“Overall it’s quite tranquil across the whole preserve; [the sisters] had such a light touch throughout all this time that they’ve been there,” said Kane. “So it really is a quiet a sanctuary, a quiet escape.”
Several little offshoots from the main loop lead down to the Hudson, and two more spurs lead to the property’ two gorgeous waterfalls. Though thanks to the sisters’ excellent stewardship it is predominantly a wooded path, with old-growth hemlock and ash rising to majestic heights, a portion of the loop opens up as it passes through a hayfield. From here, one can see the Catskills. This is a remarkable piece of land where one can get see both the river and the mountains.
