Birch Close Gate Closes Again?

Just a few months after the announcement came – with much excitement – that Birch Close gate in Sleepy Hollow would open again at last, walkers have found it closed.

“Unfortunately Kendal closed the fence when they noticed the trail was cleared but not by them,” explained Sleepy Hollow Manor Association President James West in an email. “They are very sensitive about this area and we will have to reach out to village for help.”

West urges citizens to write to Mayor Ken Wray and Patricia Doyle, Executive Director, from Kendal on Hudson to request access to Rockwood Hall again, hopefully this time not from scratch.

Mayor Wray announced at a board meeting in early June that Kendal on Hudson assisted living complex would now support a trail connection from Sleepy Hollow Manor to Kendal via Birch Close.

This followed a long, tireless effort from the community -- especially Philipse Manor and Sleepy Hollow Manor associations -- petitioning Kendal to open this southern access to Rockwood Hall park after a 10-year closure once called temporary.

The Facebook page called Open Birch Close Gate remains.