Sam’s Point Preserve, New York
Staffing troubles have forced The Nature Conservancy to close New York’s Sam’s Point Preserve for the winter.
The park, which is roughly 5,400 acres, is located at the highest point of the Shawangunk Ridge (aka The Gunks) and features a massive cliff that provides hikers with broad views to the southeast and southwest.
According to Ellen Weiss, The Nature Conservancy’s Director of Communications for Eastern New York, the preserve was short-staffed this winter because The Nature Conservancy is currently transferring management of the preserve to the state of New York. The conservancy usually closes the park’s Visitor Center during the winter, but keeps the preserve open.
Weiss says the preserve will reopen in April. When it does, it will be part of Minnewaska State Park Preserve and be operated by New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and The Palisades Interstate Park Commission.