The New Paltz Town Board held a special meeting last week to discuss parking concerns near the Mohonk Foothills. (photo by Lauren Thomas)
Neighbors on Butterville, Cragswood, Woodlot, Gatehouse, White Oaks and Canaan roads and Lenape Lane met with the New Paltz Town Board last week, talking about issues dealing with parking concerns near the Mohonk Foothills. The debate was about whether or not “No Parking” signs should go along the roads. Residents admitted they felt deeply about potential big changes close to home.
Bridget Regan, of Gatehouse Road, wanted to know why the Town Board was even toying with the idea of the signs. She urged the board to decide that they only have data — not anecdotes — guiding their decisions.
“I want to know what is the problem?” Regan said. “I’m not saying I’m for or against the ban, but I need to see data about Butterville. I want to see data about Woodlot. I want to see data about Cragswood. I want to see data about Canaan.
“Without data, you’re looking for a solution without defining the problem.”
Lisa Chason, of Outlook Farm Drive, noted that she used Butterville Road and Lenape Lane for parking. She thought that perhaps residents of the Mohonk Foothills area could get “resident parking” passes, like those common in beach communities, which would allow them parking access.
“I pay extremely high taxes to live in this community,” said Chason. “We don’t get a lot of services for the taxes that we do pay, proportionally. One of the things that we get is access to Mohonk. I’m happy to pay my annual fee to support Mohonk Preserve, but to not be able to walk on that property I think really becomes exclusionary for people who live there.”
Councilman Daniel Torres and other board members cautioned the community.
“I just want to make it clear, in case people aren’t aware, we don’t have a stance on this yet. We’re really not prepared to make a decision either. Really, what we’re doing is just listening,” Torres said.
Supervisor Susan Zimet noted that some groups of neighbors have asked for no parking areas. Others want to be able to park along the side of the road to hike or walk.
Board members seemed unclear about how they’d balance the conflicting input they received from the public.
David Porter, of New Paltz, said he thought the Town Board’s timing was off in discussing any parking issues until Mohonk Preserve can create parking for the Testimonial Gatehouse project.
“Mohonk Preserve, while they may hope to get their parking spots … at present there is no alternative parking space for people who want to go down Lenape Lane,” Porter said.
Neighbors said that even publicity of the Mohonk Preserve’s multi-million dollar plan — a plan to buy 534 acres of land from the Open Space Institute and rejuvenate the Testimonial Gatehouse — is driving traffic to the area. Curious onlookers want to check it out.
It’s not surprising. For motorists, Testimonial Gatehouse seems like a place out of time — a haunting, castle-like ruin that, on first viewing, has the feel of a personal archeological discovery.
“I pay extremely high taxes to live in this community,” said Chason. “We don’t get a lot of services for the taxes that we do pay, proportionally. One of the things that we get is access to Mohonk. I’m happy to pay my annual fee to support Mohonk Preserve, but to not be able to walk on that property I think really becomes exclusionary for people who live there.” SO SICK OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THEIR TAXES, BOO HOO.
You Get: Police, Fire, Library, Schools, Bridges, Paved Roads, Sewer, Mowing of highways, Parks, Plowing of all roads in winter, Historic Sites, Tourism, Jobs, An extremely safe community with an extremely low crime rate, Street lights, Stop Lights, Signage, Sidewalks…I’m not exactly sure WHAT you are expecting? Someone to open your car door for you where ever you go? Or perhaps a foot massage after a hard day of sitting on your rears?
Taxes are not a valid argument for essentially anything around here and is the lazy default folks grab hold of when they actually have no argument to make. I assure you if folks want to park in people’s yards and private property then they don’t deserve to park, period. Go find some other “free” trail you can use with your lousy, entitled attitude.
I’m sure if folks were parking in your road, on your lawn, lining the view from your house YOU’D be the first to complain. So let up on it. If you are using these facilities and you aren’t paying for them then you’re just freeloading. The groups who manage these trails need to fund raise from users like YOU to pay for proper parking lots just as we have at many trail heads in the area.
Can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen users like you nearly get hit ambling out of your driver’s side door while you are parked half-way on the driving right of way…and you are clueless in the process, nearly causing accidents. Yes, this happens almost daily because I watch it happen.
Well said! This could not be more true and is so reflective of the attitude of so many in the area. If you don’t own it, or you didn’t pay for it, then you actually are not entitled to use it.
Odd that the New Paltz Times consistently deletes comments posted in response to articles. If anyone dare
speak the truth in here they are immediately deleted. I know this because it just happened. Clearly a skewed “source of news” that doesn’t want to paint the whole picture, just an edited version of it.
If everyone in the town and village paid their fair share of taxes and were assessed properly for the purposes of their dwelling/land then most of the rest of us would see lower tax bills. Unfortunately fairness doesn’t seem to be in the cards in New Paltz.