Poet's Walk Park
Poet's
Walk Park celebrates the connection between landscape
and poetry. The park's mown and gravel paths
provide access to the 120 acres of fields and forest.
The Park's design reflects 19th century
picturesque style of American landscape design. The
extraordinary vistas, sunlit fields and thick forest
were the focus of landscape architect Hans Jacob Ehlers
vision for the property in 1849. Using walls of foliage
and breaks in the rise of a fields or a stone wall,
he created several "outdoor rooms", each evoking a different
atmosphere. As you walk the Park, you will see the maturity
of his design which has endured through the efforts
of previous landowners. Today, the visual integrity
of the Park and its setting is protected by The Scenic
Hudson Land Trust's conservation easements on the surrounding
800 acres.
You are invited to enjoy the sweeping
vistas from the Park's paths of fields and ravines that
speak to you and the poet in you. Take a moment to sit
on a bench, read a poem, or better still, scribe a line
or two of your own on a blank page.
The distance from the Information
Arbor to the Overlook Pavilion is about 1/2 mile and
at a leisurely pace takes the average walker about 15
minutes. The return trip is slightly uphill and a bit
longer.
From the Pavilion to the Summerhouse
via Poets' Walk Path is an additional 20 minutes (one
way); and from the Pavilion to the Flagpole is also
20 minutes (one way).
The Park is open from 9am till dusk.
Please be considerate of other visitors and the adjoining
property owners. Please carry out anything you carry
in -- there are no trash receptacles. Please leash and
clean up after your dog. The Park is available for events
and activities that nurture the connection between poetry
and landscape. Groups wishing to use the park should
contact Scenic Hudson at (845)473-4440 for further information.
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HV/Net Note: Be prepared when
you visit Poets Walk Park. Although the paths are manicured
and the views are awe inspiring, the walk can be a little
on the strenuous side. At times the grade can be a little
steep and the distances more than you at first imagine.
From the parking area to the river vantage points is
at least a mile, although at times it might seem even
farther. Take your time and be leisurely. Enjoy the
scenery and the magnificent views. There are no "facilities"
at Poets Walk Park, so be prepared. You might consider
packing a snack and a little refreshment, as well as
your favorite book of poetry, and make an outing of
it! From the parking area to the Overlook Viewing Pavilion
is more than accessible for the handicapped and physically
impaired as the paths are all gravel, if a little steep
in places. From the Overlook Viewing Pavilion to the
Stone Bridge would not be recommended for wheelchairs
as the path is very steep in spots and is mown grass
and soil. From the Overlook Viewing Pavilion to the
Flagpole Lot might be navigated by a wheel chair with
a stout & hearty assistant as it is quite a distance
and the path consists of mown grass and soil.
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From the South:
Follow Route 9 North through Rhinebeck to 9G. Turn left
onto 9G and follow to the intersection with Route 199.
Turn left onto Route 199 (west) and follow to County
Road 103, River Road. This is the last intersection
before the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge. Turn right onto
River Road. Poets' Walk Park is on the left side of
the road.
From the North:
Follow Route 9G south through Tivoli. Continue past
the intersection where 9G/199 join. Turn right at the
light for 199 West to County Road 103, River Road. This
is the last intersection before the Kingston-Rhinecliff
Bridge. Turn right onto River Road and follow the signs
to the entrance. Poets' Walk Park is on the left side
of the road.
From the West:
Cross the Hudson at the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge (this
is Route 199). Turn left onto River Road, County Route
103. Poet's Walk Park is on the left side of the road.
These
lands are owned and made available to the public by
The Scenic Hudson Land Trust, Inc., a not-for-profit
land conservation organization affiliated with Scenic
Hudson, Inc.
Major funding for this project was
provided through the generosity of the Lila Acheson
and DeWitt Wallace Fund for the Hudson Highlands, a
charitable Fund established by the founders of The Reader's
Digest Association, Inc. and dedicated to the preservation
of land in the Hudson River Valley for public benefit.
Scenic Hudson, Inc. is an environmental
not-for-profit organization founded in 1963 and based
in Poughkeepsie, New York and dedicated to preserving
and enhancing the scenic, cultural, historical, ecological
and recreational treasures of the Hudson River Valley.
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