Peekskill Holds Ribbon Cutting To Reopen Fort Hill Park

PEEKSKILL, NY — Fort Hill Park, a city-owned park that was acquired by the then-village of Peekskill in 1929 by a private landowner, has a long history as a home to native people, a prime location of barracks and two redoubts for American troops in the Revolutionary War and a place of reflection and refuge for residents of the Community of Saint Mary’s.

Now, the park has been revitalized and reopened to the public with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that took place Nov. 29.

According to information from the city, in 2018, Peekskill contracted with the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York through a SAM Grant secured by State Senator Pete Harckham, and then contracted with MKW + Associates to design new trails, improve existing trails and make substantial upgrades to the Decatur Avenue park entrance.

New park features also include a timber staircase, stone benches, two Kiosk signs and interpretative and way-finding signage.

In addition to the grant, this project and the expansion of Fort Hill Park was made possible by the donation of an additional 52 acres of land by Ginsburg Development Companies as part of The Abbey development project.

Harckham said recreation and parks are a vital part of improving the city’s quality of life while also attracting new residents and businesses to the community.

“I am pleased to have supported the renovations in historic Fort Hill Park with state grant funding because it will increase access to this incredible public resource," he said. "The leadership in Peekskill and its partners in the private sector deserve our gratitude for seeing this project through.”