September 2026: Breakneck and Dutchess Manor construction updates + more!
Last week, HHFT staff made a site visit to Breakneck Connector with Consigli Construction to see the progress being made and learn about what’s on deck. The scramble banks, which are just south of the future Metro-North Breakneck Ridge train station.......continue reading...
August 2026: What's going on at Dutchess Manor + more
Last week, crews began deconstruction of the 20th-century additions made to the original Dutchess Manor, beginning with the northern ballroom (circa 1960). This deconstruction process is an early stage of work at Dutchess Manor that tells us.......continue reading...
July 2026: Construction updates, out & about with HHFT, and more!
Progress on many fronts of the Fjord Trail project is becoming more and more visible. A lot goes on behind the scenes to create an ecologically resilient, accessible and safe trail. Here’s a peek at some of the foundational work our project team is currently doing.......continue reading...
June 2026: NY State Invasive Species Awareness Week, updates on Breakneck and Dutchess Manor construction, and more!
This Saturday, June 13, HHFT's Eco-Stewards (formerly known as the Invasives Strike Force) will kick off their third season of identifying, tracking, and hand-pulling invasive plant species in the Breakneck Ridge corridor.......continue reading...
April 2026: Wade's Hill lot work, DEC grant, Breakneck construction updates, and more!
Last month, work began for the Wade’s Hill Lot, on the east side of Route 9D just north of Breakneck and just south of Dutchess Manor.......continue reading...
March 2026: Philipstown sidewalk grant, Fjord Trail North, vernal pools, and more!
On March 3, the Putnam County Legislature voted to sponsor a NYS Department of Transportation (DOT) Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant application, as requested by the County Department of Planning, Development and Public Transportation......continue reading...
January/February 2026: Conclusion of environmental review process, wintertime activities, and more!
On January 20, 2026, lead agency New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) released their State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) Findings Statement for the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement (FGEIS)......continue reading...
December 2025: Breakneck construction updates, Dutchess Manor, and more!
This week, the utility poles on the west side of Route 9D were removed by Central Hudson. Earlier this year, new poles were erected on the east side of 9D and, subsequently, power was transferred to them. By moving the poles from the west to the east side of the road, the inspiring view of the beautiful Hudson River along this State-designated Scenic Byway has been dramatically improved!......continue reading...
November 2025: Breakneck construction updates, Native American Heritage Month, and more!
Recent work on the Breakneck Connector and Bridge includes the installation of a drainage structure along the east side of Route 9D, which will improve drainage conditions at the highway shoulder and prevent washout of pavement......continue reading...
October 2025: the power of partnerships, Breakneck construction updates, and more!
Saturday, September 27 marked this year's final workday for HHFT's Invasives Strike Force (ISF). This season, our total ISF volunteer corps grew by nearly 50% and we expanded our work, beyond hand-pulling Asiatic dayflower, to include laying the foundation for HHFT's community science research......continue reading...
September 2025: Breakneck Updates, Floristic Quality Assessment, and more!
Recent construction work in the Breakneck corridor includes excavation and installation of a replacement culvert on the south end of the future site of the Breakneck Connector and Bridge. The new structure replaces an existing.....continue reading...
August 2025: HHFT's Annual Report, Breakneck construction, and more!
We are pleased to share with you our 2024 Annual Report, which includes highlights of our recent progress, a look ahead at exciting milestones on the horizon, and reflections from community members on what the Fjord Trail will mean to them.....continue reading...
July 2025: Breakneck Construction, a new face at HHFT, and more!
We are excited to announce that work has begun on the Breakneck Connector! Traffic barricades are in place and the area east of Route 9D has been prepped for construction, including the installation of Consigli Construction's work trailer last month.....continue reading...
June 2025: a new face at HHFT, updates from DOT on Breakneck tunnel work, and more!
While NYSDOT's Breakneck Tunnel Work is not related to the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail, we wanted to share the latest update we received from them on their work: DOT is on target to reopen the southbound lane and close the northbound lane in late June....continue reading...
May 2025: out & about with HHFT as we kick off spring, and more!
On Saturday, May 3, HHFT volunteers and staff worked at Dockside Park to clean up trash and plant native vegetation as part of Riverkeeper's 14th Annual River Sweep. We had a beautiful day along the river with a team of energized volunteers....continue reading...
April 2025: Important Breakneck closure and tunnel work info, and more!
Our sincere thanks to everyone who took the time to take part in the public comment period for the Fjord Trail DGEIS. Hundreds of individuals and numerous organizations have participated over the last three months....continue reading...
March 2025: DGEIS updates, out and about with HHFT, and more!
Our sincere thanks to everyone who took the time to take part in the public comment period for the Fjord Trail DGEIS. Hundreds of individuals and numerous organizations have participated over the last three months....continue reading...
January/February 2025: DGEIS updates, First Day Hike, and more!
On January 14, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation held its public hearing for the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail DGEIS, facilitated by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation....continue reading...
December 2024: DGEIS, Breakneck Tunnel update, and more!
On December 4, 2024 New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) issued a Notice of Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement (DGEIS) Completion and Public Hearing Announcement for the Fjord Trail....continue reading...
November 2024: Statewide burn ban in effect, Strike Force shoutouts, and more!
On November 12, Governor Hochul issued a statewide burn ban for the State of New York, as wildfires continue to consume thousands of acres of land in the Hudson Valley. The burn ban is in effect until November 30....continue reading...
October 2024: HHFT's new president and growing team, a trip to Muir Woods, and more!
The Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail, Inc. (HHFT) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Peter Mullan has been appointed to the new role of President and Chief Executive Officer of Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail...continue reading...
September 2024: HHFT's Annual Report, Invasives Strike Force, and more!
We are thrilled to present to you our second Annual Report, which includes some of the Fjord Trail's most recent milestones and looks ahead to what we expect to accomplish over the next several months...continue reading...
August 2024: trail closure, last licks on summer fun, and more!
Attention Hikers! NYS Department of Transportation has officially begun their construction work in the Breakneck Tunnel. As a result, New York State Parks has closed the Lower Brook Trail between the Cornish Connector trail and Route 9D...continue reading...
July 2024: The Harris Poll, Breakneck Tunnel work, and more!
HHFT recently commissioned the Harris Poll to conduct survey research as part of our ongoing efforts to gain a full picture of area residents' sentiments about the Fjord Trail project and the current challenges associated with outdoor recreation in the area...continue reading...
June 2024: important info for hikers, our new Invasives Strike Force, and more!
An important update for all hikers and local residents! The NYS Department of Transportation has announced that they will begin work in the Breakneck tunnel on Route 9D in the coming weeks. This project will replace the tunnel's existing lighting system and make pedestrian safety improvements through the tunnel and south to the Brook Trail entrance. This work will necessitate closing the tunnel to pedestrians...continue reading...
May 2024: Three volunteer days, our new short film, and more!
On Friday, April 26, HHFT staff was joined by volunteers from Consigli Construction and About the Work, LLC (pictured above) to clean up the Breakneck Trailhead and Upper Overlook. Volunteers picked up broken glass, cleared the pathways with loppers and string trimmers, and removed three invasive species honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.), bittersweet vines (Celastrus orbiculatus), and dayflower (Commelina communis)...continue reading...
April 2024: Public sessions, survey results, Earth Day, and more...
Heartfelt thanks to the 200+ people who registered for each of our recent public sessions – Visitation Projection & Visitor Management Strategy, held last week, and Alternative Route Analysis Review and Shoreline Trail Concept Design on March 11, at Dutchess Manor. In the first session, planners, engineers, and landscape architects....continue reading...
February/March 2024: Breakneck Corridor work begins, HHFT community outreach, and more!
The blueprints for Breakneck Connector & Bridge arrived at our offices recently and we couldn’t be more excited! Over 400 sheets of pure gold that map out the designs for all of the work in the Breakneck/9D corridor, which is now underway....continue reading...
January 2024: Good news for Little Stony Point, winter hiking tips, and more!
Beginning in the coming weeks, Central Hudson will start site work on the east side of Route 9D in the Town of Fishkill, just north of the tunnel. This work is in preparation for the relocation of utility poles from the west side of Route 9D to the east side, which will make possible the construction of...continue reading...
December 2023: Shoreline Trail, First-Day Hikes, and more...
The month of December has been a busy one for HHFT, as our staff has been sharing the concept design for the Shoreline Trail to various community groups and stakeholder organizations and gathering input. The Shoreline Trail is the southernmost two-mile stretch...continue reading...
November 2023: answers to 210 questions, solar panels, cold weather hiking...
The Trail Steward Station at Breakneck's Upper Overlook now has solar panels, thanks to the work of Heitmann Builders and Pidala Electric. Last month, the panels were installed on the green roof of the station, which was designed by Gray Organschi Architecture....continue reading...
October 2023: HHFT in the news, six Hudson Valley rock scrambles, and more...
Our last Walk & Talk of the season at Dutchess Manor, on Saturday, October 14, was fully subscribed. Participants learned about the history of this storied property and the Manor building, which will serve at the Visitor Center for the Fjord Trail, and our plans to restore it....continue reading...
September 2023: Introducing Rebeca Ramirez; Green Roof; Geocaching
We are excited to share that installation of a native planting green roof atop the Trail Steward Station at Upper Overlook is now complete! The planting plan for the new roof, which is comprised of a variety of native plants, was designed by SCAPE, and installed by Heitmann Builders. Next up: the installation of solar panels...continue reading...
August 2023: Meet Our Staff, Swag, and Great Hikes in Beacon
On Saturday, July 22, more than 170 people turned out on a gorgeous afternoon for our Second Annual Community Day at Dutchess Manor, future site of the HHFT Visitor Center. Much fun was had by all, tie-dyeing with plant-based dyes, listening to music by The Happy Trailers...continue reading...
July 2023: Ribbon-Cutting, Community Day 7/22, and PDC Design Award
On Friday, June 30, Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail, Inc. (HHFT) and NYS Parks held a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of the Upper Overlook project at the Breakneck Ridge Trailhead. Completed on time and under budget...continue reading...
June 2023: Breakneck reopens 7/1 and HHFT announces "Trail-First" approach
Last week, culminating two years of public outreach on the Draft Master Plan as well as the input of experts and partners, HHFT announced it will take a trail-first approach to implementation. Whereas the project was previously set to... continue reading...
MAY 2023: Out & About in the Community and Spotlight on Metro-North Railroad
On the morning of Saturday, May 6, HHFT led clean-up efforts at the 12th Annual Riverkeeper River Sweep at Dockside Park in Cold Spring. The following Monday, HHFT participated in a Joint Public Session on the Fjord Trail, hosted by the... continue reading...
APRIL 2023: New Faces
HHFT welcomes several new faces to our organization. Usha Wright is joining our Board of Directors. She is currently President and Chair of the board at SHAREAfrica, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to... continue reading...
MARCH 2023: Spotlight: Little Stony Point Citizens Association
This month, we highlight one of the oldest Parks Friends Groups in New York State and longtime Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail Steering Committee member, Little Stony Point Citizens Association. LSPCA is dedicated.... continue reading...
FEBRUARY 2023: Work on Breakneck Upper Overlook begins March 1
We are thrilled to report that initial work on the Breakneck Upper Overlook begins on March 1. On February 17, Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail, Inc., New York State Office of Parks.... continue reading...
JANUARY 2023: Layering Up for Winter Hiking and a New Home for the Fjord Trail
The temps have certainly been fluctuating quite drastically throughout the Hudson Valley over the last few weeks! One day it's raining and balmy; the next day the ground has frozen again... continue reading...
DECEMBER 2022: Winter Birdwatching and Recent Community Meetings and Presentations
The holiday season is in full swing! Temperatures throughout the Hudson Valley have dropped drastically, but next week's Winter Solstice marks the return of the sun... continue reading...
NOVEMBER 2022: "Let's talk about visitation" and Autumn Hiking in the Hudson Highlands
Visitation in the Hudson Highlands as a tourist destination and for autumn hiking has reached record-breaking numbers.... continue reading...
OCTOBER 2022: Safety Tips During Peak Hiking Season & Community Meetings
As the glorious colors of autumn, in all of their splendor, explode throughout the Hudson Valley, the number of visitors... continue reading...
SEPTEMBER 2022: Fire Safety During the Drought & "Back to School" Studies and Survey
Although we have gotten some desperately needed rain over the last few weeks, extreme drought continues.... continue reading...
AUGUST 2022: Paddling on the Hudson / Thanks to the NY-NJ Trail Conference
Explore the Hudson River before summer is over! Let our friends at Hudson River Expeditions help you.... continue reading...
JULY 2022: Hiking in the Heat / Dutchess Manor
Our Executive Director shares some helpful tips for hiking in the summer heat, plus unlocking the past — and future — of Dutchess Manor.... continue reading...
JUNE 2022: Our Community Day Celebration / Around Breakneck
Summer is officially here and we celebrated that—and a whole lot more—with 165 community members who joined us for Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail’s First Annual Community Day last weekend at Dutchess Manor.... continue reading...
MAY 2022: HHFT Community Day / Breakneck station reopening
It’s been a busy spring! We’ve been out and about making presentations in Fjord Trail communities, sharing updates and answering residents’ questions. It’s been rewarding, but the gathering we are most looking forward to is.... continue reading...
APRIL 2022: Spring Ephemerals/Breakneck Connector & Bridge Get a Boost
Happy Spring! I love to get outside at this time of year when each day offers those subtle changes that let us know spring has arrived and we get to witness the plants slowly re-emerging from a winter’s rest. While that might mean.... continue reading...
MARCH 2022: Maple Celebration/Community Engagement
Greetings! All around the Hudson Highlands we are beginning to see taps and sap buckets on sugar maples, signaling that spring is right around the corner. It’s no surprise that turning that sugary clear liquid into rich sweet maple syrup.... continue reading...
FEBRUARY 2022: Hiking with Dogs/Geotech 101
Greetings! Here in the Hudson Highlands, even when February tempts us with warm spells, we know that the next winter storm could be just around the corner. While I might not like the snow too much, I have two one-year old puppies who... continue reading...
JANUARY 2022: Take a Winter Hike/Safety Improvements at Breakneck
Even in challenging times, the start of a new year can be a source of optimism. After all, it’s a fresh opportunity to take a moment to reflect and proceed with intention into a new year. Trying new things and reconnecting with old hobbies make us feel... continue reading...
DECEMBER 2021: First Day Hikes/Meet HHFT's Staff
Season’s Greetings! The holidays can be filled with opportunities for fun times with family and friends, moments of quiet reflection, or a generous mix of both. As we move toward the New Year, I recommend trying a new tradition that has become very popular in the Hudson Valley... continue reading...
