Rondout-Esopus Land Conservancy is pleased to announce a new land protection opportunity: 136-acres of pristine forested land on the western side of the Shawangunk Ridge in the Town of Rochester.  The project includes a significant stretch of the Peterskill on Tow Path Road between Alligerville and Accord as well as important frontage on the Rondout Creek.

The Turner Family have been stewards of the land for more than 100 years and wish to see that the land is conserved in perpetuity.  In a first-of-its kind transaction for RELC, we are partnering with Open Space Institute Land Trust (OSILT) and The Shawangunk Conservancy (TSC) in a ollaborative multi-phase effort.    

The D&H Canal Historical Society (D&H) will also play an important role in that it owns adjacent lands on the Rondout Creek that are part of the historic former canal bed.

OSILT purchased the initial 53.2-acre parcel (the Uphill Parcel), which is located on the south side of Tow Path Road in September 2025 and has a long-term option to purchase the second phase, which consists of a 82.9-acre parcel (the Downhill Parcel), adjacent to the D&H parcel and the Rondout Creek.   

Under the terms of the agreement, RELC and TSC will each contribute half of the cost of the purchase of the Uphill Parcel from OSILT, with RELC holding ownership and taking responsibility for management and stewardship of the property.  The estimated cost of the purchase, which the Turner Family has generously discounted, is $210,000, or about $3,950 per acre.  This is a great bargain given  the appraised fair market value of the land is  approximately $6,500 per acre.

Under the second phase of the project, OSI will, upon completion of fundraising, purchase the Downhill Parcel, which when added to the former canal bed owned by D&H, will have creek frontage.

RELC will provide and manage access to the parcel, adding to the open space inventory in the community.

 To donate to support this acquisition, please visit our Donation Page.