Marydell Deal Complete, Hook Mountain State Park Expands in Upper Nyack

UPPER NYACK, NY — The State of New York officially took ownership of the Marydell property in Upper Nyack, completing the complex plan to expand Rockland Lake, Nyack Beach and Hook Mountain State Park through the purchase of land owned by the Sisters of our Lady of Christian Doctrine.

The Sisters, also known as the Sisters of Marydell, had owned the 39-acre property since 1924, and it was used for 50 years as a summer camp for girls from New York City before becoming the Marydell Faith & Life Center. In their efforts to preserve 30 acres of the property, the Sisters worked with a nonprofit organization, The Trust for Public Land, to transfer ownership of property to the Trust which then transferred ownership to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester), was a strong advocate for the State to secure approximately $2.5 million of a $3.1 million total sale.

"Having the State acquire the Marydell property is an exciting public-private partnership to expand Hook Mountain State Park," he said. "Our collaborative efforts will result in linking the Nyack Beach State Park to the Long Path."

$2.1 million of the State funding is coming from the Environmental Preservation Fund with $450,000 coming from the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council. In addition, $300,000 came from the Town of Clarkstown, $100,000 from the Village of Upper Nyack, $100,000 came from the Durst Organization and $50,000 came from the Open Space Institute.

In addition to overlooking the Hudson River, the land connects to Nyack Beach State Park and Rockland Lake State Park. Hook Mountain will have a permanent southern access point. The transfer of this land will improve the water quality of the Hudson River and provide a connection to the Long Path Hiking Trail that runs from the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee, New Jersey to Altamont, Albany County.