| Franny Reese State Park | |
|---|---|
 View ofPoughkeepsie from a scenic overlook in the park | |
  Location of Franny Reese State Park within New York State | |
| Type | State park |
| Location | Haviland Road Highland, New York[1] |
| Nearest city | Poughkeepsie, New York |
| Coordinates | 41°42′15″N73°57′24″W / 41.7041°N 73.9566°W /41.7041; -73.9566 |
| Area | 251 acres (1.02 km2)[2] |
| Created | 2009 (2009)[1] |
| Operated by | |
| Open | All year |
| Website | Franny Reese State Park |
Franny Reese State Park is a 251-acre (1.02 km2)state park[2] located in theTown of Lloyd inUlster County,New York. The park is managed byScenic Hudson[3] and is part of thePalisades Interstate Park system.[4]
The land comprising Franny Reese State Park was once an estate known as "Cedar Glen", built in the mid-19th century by painless dentistry pioneer Charles H. Roberts. After Roberts' death, the estate fell into disrepair as his heirs fought over ownership of the property.[5]
The property was purchased in 2003 byScenic Hudson,[6] a not-for-profit environmental organization that aims to conserve land along theHudson River betweenAlbany andNew York City. It opened as a state park in 2009, shortly after the land's ownership was transferred to theNew York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, although Scenic Hudson continues to manage the property.[1]
The park is named for environmentalist Frances "Franny" Reese (1917-2003), who worked to conserve lands in the Hudson River region.[1]
Franny Reese State Park's main feature is its 2.5 miles (4.0 km) of hiking trails along old carriage roads that may also be used for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. The trails offer views of the Hudson River, the nearbyMid-Hudson Bridge, theWalkway over the Hudson, and theCity of Poughkeepsie across the river.[1][4] Ruins of the 19th century mansion are also visible within the park.[7]
