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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE04-56

October 6, 2004

Contact: Ian Michaels (718) 595-6600

New York City DEP Makes Donations of Historic Bluestone

Commissioner Christopher Ward of New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced two donations of several tons of hand-cut bluestone. The bluestone was harvested from a local quarry on New York City property during the construction of the Ashokan Reservoir in the early-20 th century. The material was cut and stockpiled but never sent to market, and has been in the DEP’s possession since that time, stored on City-owned land in West Hurley near the Glenford Dike.

The first gift was to the Town of Hurley , and is being used to restore 550 feet of historical curbing along Main Street in old Hurley. It involved approximately 1,200 square feet of stone in pieces up to 30 inches wide. The bluestone was picked up by the Town of Hurley Highway Department in August.

Most of the remainder of the bluestone has been set aside for a second donation to the Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks to help create an outdoor amphitheatre for educational programs. That gift will be over 2,800 square feet of stone, and will most likely be removed from the site by the Association before the end of October.

"DEP is glad that this surplus stockpile could be put to positive uses in local communities,” said Commissioner Ward. “The bluestone is very valuable and we’re happy to share what little we have. I just wish there was more quality bluestone to give away for other worthy projects."

Hurley Town Historian Dave Baker said, "I want to thank the DEP for allowing the town of Hurley the special use of the bluestone curbing. With this generous donation, we were able to enhance the appearance of our Main Street Historic District.”

In conjunction with the sidewalk project in Hurley, a 30" x 30" block of bluestone will go to the Delaware and Hudson Heritage Corridor Alliance to be used as a memorial for fallen State Trooper Michael Kelly. The memorial will be placed along the Rail Trail in Hurley, which will be dedicated in a ceremony on Monday, October 11, on Route 209 near the Hurley Mountain Inn.

The Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks is located in Niskayuna , New York . Founded in 1901, the Association is dedicated to sustaining the ecological integrity and mutual well being of the natural and human communities of the Adirondack and Catskill Parks .

Ken Remany, the Association's Director of Development and Outreach, said, “We are so very appreciative and grateful to receive this bluestone donation from DEP, which will be used to create an outdoor amphitheatre for educational programs at our new headquarters, The Center for the Forest Preserve, now being built at the historic site of the home of the late Paul Schaefer." In 1998, Audubon magazine recognized Mr. Schaefer as one of the Nation's top 100 'Champions of Conservation' in the 20th century.

 

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