Go Forward, Little Town in the Foothills
I used to think that Tuxedo as the Gateway to the Hudson Highlands was a radical idea. But it’s been a couple weeks since Genting and its super-sized casino was bundled off, and in that short time I’ve heard and seen so much that makes me think, How obvious. The little town in the foothills of Harriman and Sterling Forest is an outdoor destination-to-be for New York and the world, and I’m only one of many to think that.
The most passionate opponents of the Sterling Forest Resort and Casino aren’t gloating over the triumph over a multinational casino giant. They’re turning their energies to building something positive in Tuxedo and Sloatsburg, realizing these parks are an economic asset. It can only be a good thing.
Seeing a Gateway Town, From the Outside
I got a note from Nathan, a reader of this blog and frequent hiker, about Tuxedo, and I thought it was interesting in the post-casino afterglow:
“I hope that Tuxedo and Sloatsburg do something good with their towns, and fast. Not all of my clients from Europe and Asia want to stay in the city. Many of them come to see the sights for a day or two, and then they want to go out into the countryside, and see what the rest of New York (and America) is all about.
“I usually send them up the Hudson River, but on the Cold Spring side. They love it. They take the train up, see the Hudson River, the Bear Mountain Bridge, and the Hudson Highlands. Finally they get to Cold Spring, walk to town, or of course do the Breakneck Ridge thing.
“That’s fine but in the summer that trail gets so busy that sometime it’s like you’re on an escalator in the mall.
“I’d like to be able to one day send clients up the Tuxedo side of the park, but it’s a challenge for people who are trying to make a day of it. Where are the restaurants and the hiker amenities? It really is a pretty spot but I feel it could be so much more. How about a place to have lunch that’s welcoming to hikers? I’ve dropped in at the Tuxedo Inn after two days of hiking and we sat out on the deck and had some beers and sandwiches. But it could be more welcoming. I’m not faulting the restaurant but there doesn’t seem to be any effort put into making the town a part of the park, or making hikers feel very welcome. As you say, the R-D trail is one of the greatest assets of the park and indeed that whole area, but try to find the trailhead in the middle of Tuxedo. Even Bear Mountain does a better job of marking trails and trailheads.
“If Tuxedo could be persuaded to put a few signs up and welcome hikers and campers the town could really turn into a destination for overseas tourists who want to see the landscape. Not to mention how much more attractive the town could be for the people who live there.”
ok, our governor is revisiting the casino thing for the south hudson valley people…stay tuned.
Put up a few signs to welcome hikers is a great idea! How about promoting riding the train & hiking the trails & offering specials. And have a game such as finding some sort of symbol around town or the trails & offering a prize & publicize it. Also, have people who use the park publish their stories & wonderful memories in a book/ pamphlet/on-line blog promoting Harriman & the Tuxedo area.
Definitely very interesting to think about how we can attract people to Tuxedo, for recreation and to help our economy. I hope that we can put some tangible programs in place soon. Thanks for keeping the conversation going.
well said.
To the best of my knowledge there is nothing from the governor’s office about reconsidering a casino for the Southern Hudson Valley. Nothing. Zilch. Not even a rumor, short of the one Don is suggesting above.
As for Tuxedo becoming a better gateway to Harriman, I’m all for it, but it will take some money and those willing to risk it. FWIW, I’ll buy the first round of beers at the Red Apple Inn Brewpub.
One thing to think about; once rustic and natural areas are changed they can never be returned to what they were.
They loose their “charm” and real attraction. Animals and plant life are slowly squeezed out.
Maybe visitors need a SIMPLE pamphlet on how to prepare for a trip and what they will and will not find.
When one goes for a hike several simple guidelines will help them enjoy the area..
Don’t change the area educate the visitors.
Maybe a limit can be enforced by limiting buses and places to park cars.
One thing that keeps Harriman State Park as it is, is the lack of parking spaces.
Local merchants will see what is needed and provide the proper type and amount of amenities.
How about putting slot machine along the Suffern Bear Mountain trail??? 🙂
Anything to help the Government get bigger and bigger and out of control and to oppress us poor trail wonderers.
There is enough traffic here, advertising is not necessary.
Hi Jennifer: I agree — but you also have what some might consider the transportation envy of Gateway Towns everywhere: a train from New York City that arrives at an incredibly beautiful, renovated station about fifteen feet from the start of one of the most beloved trails in the Northeast. On a weekend morning, that’s two trains coming through and stopping. The only thing better would be three trains, and a shuttle to help visitors get to other trailheads in the park.
Brad, I think that the writer is kind of confused on his geography as there is some talk of reconsidering the application denial for a casino at Tioga Downs which is located about 10 miles North of Binghamton, NY.
There is so much potential for Sloatsburg/Tuxedo – great restaurants (in Characters, Rhodes & Tuxedo Inn) but tons of empty storefronts. Then there’s the Torne Valley Vineyard just down 17… a beautiful location and great day out. I believe at one time there were talks for Suffern/Sloatsburg to start a bike/walk trail to run along the train tracks – great idea… seems great ideas abound but no action, no funds.
Hi Liz:
YES. Tons of potential, and despite the empty storefronts, you still have the envy of many a trail town: two fully-loaded parks on either side of you. I just recently realized that kayakers actually paddle the Ramapo River (!) and that the trail that leads from the train station in Tuxedo to Harriman could be steered towards the shops in town, over the railroad tracks, over a pretty footbridge crossing the river, into the skateboard park, and on into the park — a much more interesting way to go, and it puts you in contact with the river.
I wouldn’t let the empty storefronts discourage you, though. It is surprising to me to talk with business owners who I think would be perfect for Tuxedo, only to hear them say, “We looked into the Red Apple Rest”, or “We originally thought of starting out in Tuxedo”. (The comment about Red Apple Rest came from the owner of The Filling Station and Market, on Route 9w in Palisades, New York. That place in Tuxedo would have really started something. But they’ve recently expanded into Haverstraw, NY. The Market — especially on a summer weekend – is packed with hikers and road bikers.) The part that is tricky for them, is, will they come to use the parks?
I think sometimes more can be accomplished with no money — just a decent group of people with some good ideas. I heard a good one from a trail user who lives outside Tuxedo. They offered a pick-up and drop-off this Saturday, from the Sloatsburg or Tuxedo station, to any trailhead in the park. That’s solving a pretty big problem right there: how to get New Yorkers to the trails. We talked a little about maybe offering this every weekend in summer, based on volunteer drivers, and an easy schedule (there are only two trains in the morning and two at night).
There are easy and free things that can be done to draw more park patrons from the city to Tuxedo, build Tuxedo’s reputation as a recreation destination (sorry for the alliteration) and in the process demonstrate that YES, Tuxedo needs businesses that cater to tourists, foodies, craft beer lovers, road bikers, campers, etc.