By County Executive Ed Day
This Earth Month, I’m proud to reflect on the progress we’ve made to protect the natural spaces that define Rockland’s character and quality of life.
When I first ran for County Executive, I promised to preserve the open spaces that make our county such a remarkable place to live. Since reviving the County’s Open Space Acquisition Program in 2019, we have delivered on that promise—purchasing and preserving more than 330 acres of open space.
Last fall, we completed the historic purchase of the Eagle Valley Assemblage in Sloatsburg, the largest acquisition in the program’s history. This rare property strengthens the ecological corridor between Sterling Forest and Harriman State Parks and lays the groundwork for future recreation. We have already applied for a $900,000 grant to design and construct Eagle Valley Park and completed a Trail Master Plan to guide this work.
Our focus now extends beyond acquisition to enhancing the properties we already own.
We are building a new parking area and trailhead on South Mountain Road that will connect residents to a three-mile loop trail with extraordinary views of the County and New York City.
We also restored the Fitness Trail at Kennedy Dells, replacing and upgrading the exercise stations that are available for use by residents of all ages.
And we expect to close soon on an additional 16 acres on West Hook Mountain, further expanding protected land in a region that is already environmentally significant.
Rockland’s commitment to open space is not just evident—it is exceptional.
County owned parkland alone totals 3,583 acres across 34 parks, exceeding the national standard of 1 acre per 100 residents. When factoring in all State, County, and municipal parkland, one third of Rockland—more than 42,000 acres—is protected open space. That equates to roughly 42 acres of parkland per 100 residents, more than ten times the national recommendation.
The takeaway is simple: Rockland County is one of the most parkrich counties anywhere, offering far more preserved space than national guidelines suggest communities need.
As we celebrate Earth Month, we reaffirm our commitment to conservation, recreation, and responsible planning. Together, we are protecting what makes Rockland special—ensuring that its natural beauty endures for our children, grandchildren, and generations to come.