In 2011, Palenville’s Swinging Bridge was destroyed by Hurricane Irene. Since then, we’ve been working to restore this symbol of Palenville, one step at a time.
Waiting for an October Decision
SWINGING BRIDGE UPDATE — Oral testimony in the case of the Swinging Bridge concluded on Friday, April 26, after three days in NYS Supreme Court, Catskill. At issue is access to a footbridge that has crossed Kaaterskill Creek between Route 23A and Malden Avenue in the heart of Palenville for at least 125 years. During that time, the bridge was repeatedly destroyed by floods and rebuilt by hamlet residents.
When Hurricane Irene destroyed the bridge in 2011, the community set out to restore it but the land owner on the north side refused to allow access to the site, claiming that no legal “right of way” exists across his lands. After years of fruitless negotiations to purchase such a right of way, the community finally turned to the court, where testimony by long-time residents established a pattern of a century of continuous public use with no restriction by the landowners, extending right up to the date of the hurricane.
As 100-year-old Josie Edwards testified, she and her family repeatedly crossed the bridge in the 1920’s and 30’s without asking permission because “We all thought it was our road.” Both sides will now submit written summations and a final decision is expected in October.
When Hurricane Irene destroyed the bridge in 2011, the community set out to restore it but the land owner on the north side refused to allow access to the site, claiming that no legal “right of way” exists across his lands. After years of fruitless negotiations to purchase such a right of way, the community finally turned to the court, where testimony by long-time residents established a pattern of a century of continuous public use with no restriction by the landowners, extending right up to the date of the hurricane.
As 100-year-old Josie Edwards testified, she and her family repeatedly crossed the bridge in the 1920’s and 30’s without asking permission because “We all thought it was our road.” Both sides will now submit written summations and a final decision is expected in October.
- Plans and cost estimates have been drawn up by an engineering firm and we’ve been invited to apply for certain government grants to help fund the construction.
- The Town of Catskill has signed a document assuming the insurance for the Swinging Bridge.
- A community group, Palenville The Hamlet, Inc., has signed a contract with the Town to provide maintenance for the Bridge.
- On the south side, an easement has been generously donated by a private landowner to make a path from Mill Road to the creek.
We’re down to the very last step: we need to restore the public right-of-way that existed for 128 years from Route 23A to the north side of the Bridge.
Remember, the Swinging Bridge was destroyed four times in more than a century, and four times it was rebuilt by the community.
Hurricane Irene may have wiped away the boards and cables,
but the Swinging Bridge is still in the hearts of everyone who knows Palenville.
Hurricane Irene may have wiped away the boards and cables,
but the Swinging Bridge is still in the hearts of everyone who knows Palenville.
What would it be worth to you to get the Swinging Bridge back?
Would you look at your personal budget and see what you can contribute to this effort?
Would you look at your personal budget and see what you can contribute to this effort?
Please send a tax-deductible donation today.
Help Bring Back Our Bridge!
Two ways to donate.
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Give a tax-deductible Cash Donation
This button will take you to Paypal where you can send a donation using a credit card or by using your Paypal account. Simply type in any amount and then choose your payment option. Palenville thanks you!
Cash donations are welcome in any amount! Simply click here. |
Or
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Purchase a Memory Brick for $100
Swinging Bridge Memory Brick - Remember your family on the Walking PathBuy a personalized engraved paving brick to celebrate Palenville memories. The bricks will be used to make a walking path toward the site of the Swinging Bridge.
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The Swinging Bridge of Palenville
Treasure the MemoriesChildren going to school, neighbors crossing, friends meeting
adapted from photo by Larry Federman
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Remember the DestructionThe sad day when the Bridge was lost to Hurricane Irene, 2011
video posted by Tom Cushwa
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Bring Back Our BridgeGive NOW to help repair the Swinging Bridge.
All amounts are very appreciated! |