Climbers Letters Needed to Help Open Minnewaska State Park to Climbing

Minnewaska State Park, which hosts numerous 50 foot crags on 200 foot quartzite cliffs – part of the greater Shawangunk Ridge (the Gunks) – is revising its Master Plan and potentially significantly expanding climbing opportunities in the Shawangunk region.  

On July 8^th and July 10^th, the Park held open house events to explain the forthcoming planning process and solicit public input. Local climbers and the Gunks Climbers Coalition (GCC) (www.gunksclimbers.org) attended both meetings and Park representatives duly noted their requests for expanded climbing opportunities. The Park is accepting written comments until August 11^th. After reviewing the public comments, the Park will write a Draft Revised Plan.  The public will then have another opportunity to comment before the Park adopts a final plan.

Currently the Park only permits climbing in the Peters’ Kill area. Local climbing activists and the Access Fund worked to open this area to climbing during the original master planning process in 1996. The Park’s management of the Peters’ Kill area, which limits daily use 100 climbers, has successfully balanced resource protection and recreational use.  Additionally in cooperation with the Park the GCC has organized  regular Adopt a Crag events.

The revision of the Master Plan presents an opportunity to work closely with Minnewaska park management in order to open more areas of the park to climbing.  The GCC has indicated to the Park desired plans to actively participate in the planning process.

Climbers should write the Park by August 11^th urging park officials to permit climbing in the entire park.  Letters should be addressed to :

Mark Hohengasser
New York State Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Development
Empire State Plaza
Agency Building
Albany, NY 12238
Email: Mark.hohengasser@oprhp.state.ny.us

Larry Wheelock - NY West Hudson Representative
New York - New Jersey Trail Conference
156 Ramapo Valley Road
Mahwah, New Jersey 07430-1199
Tel: 201-512-9348 Ext 16
Fax: 201-512-9012
Mobile: 973-650-3228
Email: wheelock@nynjtc.org