west point foundry preserve

Good place for a walk with a view of the Hudson and historical notes along the way across from West Point.

I first walked through this site years ago when it meant walking around crumbling/collapsed factory buildings. Today the site is very far along in the reclamation/restoration effort. There are marked trails and some explanatory signage. Some important feedback to Scenic Hudson who manages the site:1. it is great that you put in picnic tables -- but you need to put in garbage barrels. I saw none around the picnic area. 2. the signage uses a lot of specialized jargon -- there are no explanations of the jargon (for example "back shot"). A few strategically placed signs explaining the jargon would be valuable. 3. the map given out in the entrance kiosk seems out of date compared to the actual site -- for example the red trail goes all the way to the blast furnace, yet on the hand out map it looks like there is no trail going to the blast furnace4. The manufacturing process for cannons is very complicated. The signage and maps tries to explain the process, but it is too complex to be understood standalone. If they ran guided tours, I think I would appreciate the process much more than seeing it on my own.

A major foundry was at the core of life in Cold Spring in the 19th century. Following its decline, decay and degradation occurred. A major environmental clean-up was undertaken, and every effort was made to unearth remnants of past activity in this area. Ample historical signage and discrete, tasteful features completed within the past year make this a very pleasant place to explore on a beautiful day. It's hard to believe that at its height, about 1,000 workers were active here. Today it's a quiet and attractive natural area.

What a really well done park. Trails are short but full of information with great views. A lot of time and effort was put into making this a very nice place for a walk.

Finally reopened! For several years, my 2011 review has been the only Tripadvisor review of this property. Hope we see more now that it was reopened! Update 2013. Scenic Hudson has completed its overhaul of this nature preserve/industrial archeology site on the south side of Cold Spring, bounded by the Constitution Marsh. The property changed hands many times since the Civil war era but it is most famous for being the site of the West Point Foundry where the famous Parrot Canon was invented. The canon was said by some to have changed the course of the Civil war with its rifling action. Google "The Gun Foundry," by John Ferguson Weir (1866) for a look at what the foundry once looked like. Currently you can enter the preserve by taking a trail along the Foundry Cove from the east side of the Metro North train platform, or from Main Street by driving or walking down to the end of Kemble Ave. Along Kemble you will pass the Marathon Superfund site, now a large grassy field. If you go in the evening you may see bluebirds or a herd of deer. At one time there was a battery manufacturer there, whose waste dumped onto the property and into the Foundry Cove. What looks now to be a wild and beautiful cove had to be drained 20 years ago, due to the high levels of toxic waste. It was dug out and replanted with native plants. Follow the gravel road to a clearing, then explore both towards the water (there is a trail in the grass for the birdwatchers) and then into the woods where you will see many developed side trails. Scenic Hudson asks that you stay on trails and keep dogs on leashes, since the entire property is a historical site. You will see the old Foundry headquarters building, a picnic area, and lots of foundation ruins, as well as the stream that powered the foundry. There are signboards along the trails, but for those of you really interested in history, there is apparently an audio tour that I passed up because I was far more interested in just soaking in the spirit of the autumn day. You may also want to stop into the Putnam History Museum before hiking down the trail into the preserve. Birdwatchers will discover that the spot by the water (mushy at high tide) is an excellent spot for warblers, herons, ducks, swallows, orioles etc. Right now the leaves are changing and the reds are dramatic against the breakwater backdrop. The only "service" is a restroom with composting toilets by the parking lot. But the Village is only a walk down the street and there you will find many good restaurants and shops.

The West Point Foundry Preserve is a large parcel partially within the Village of Cold Spring on its southern border. It offers easy hikes in the woods for those seeking a bit of nature. The property owner, Scenic Hudson, has approvals to begin developing this parcel into a natural park with signage to highlight its history as the site of a Civil war foundry. Currently you can enter the park by taking a trail along the Foundry Cove from the east side of the Metro North train platform, or from Main Street by walking down to the end of Kemble Ave. Follow the grassy road to a clearing, then explore both towards the water (there is a trail in the grass) and then into the woods where you will see many trails. The more adventuresome can follow a trail beyond the old brick building. Scenic Hudson asks that you stay on trails, since the entire property is an archeological site. Birdwatchers will discover that the spot by the water (mushy at high tide) is an excellent spot for warblers, herons, ducks, swallows, orioles etc. Right now the leaves are changing and the reds are dramatic against the breakwater backdrop. There are no services at this point-not even a park bench. But if you have time, its a lovely setting for a stroll.

В выходной отправляйтесь поездом в Колд Спринг погулять по берегу и в парке. Берите с собой сэндвич, завернутый в бумагу, и слушайте тишину и птиц (а их тут множество). Есть размеченные тропинки для бега.

Отличный парк. Не могу сказать, что туда имеет смысл отправляться за историей, если вы не американец. Зато там можно отлично погулять: тихо, красивые пейзажи, как-то умиротворяюще. Есть схемы пешеходных маршрутов с указанием примерного времени прохождения, что очень удобно. Магазинчиков с едой не видел - так что бейглами запасайтесь заранее!