Cranberry Mountain

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Credit: Courtesy Appalachian Mountain Club

The 261-acre Hudson River Valley property, known as North Hollow, has been long-prized by the State for its wildlife habitat and water quality protection. These qualities attracted developers, too, but for very different reasons. The Blumberg family, owners of North Hollow for more than 50 years, understood the natural value of their land, and in 2006 turned to The Trust for Public Land to help conserve all 261 acres.

The property, which sits within the Great Swamp watershed, features steep upland forests and Haviland Hollow Brook, a pristine trout stream whose watershed connects with the Great Swamp, Croton River, and reservoirs in the New York Highlands, the drinking water source for millions of New Yorkers. The Great Swamp ranks as one of the largest freshwater wetlands in the state, supporting many plant and animal species as well as a recreational haven.

In December 2011, TPL protected the property as an addition to Cranberry Mountain Wildlife Management Area, expanding the park by more than a third and increasing public access to hiking, cross country skiing, hunting, and fishing opportunities.