SOUTH MOUNTAIN PARK
ACREAGE – 239   (Map)

164 South Central Highway – Garnerville 

ACCESS:   At top off Central Highway, Haverstraw  (eastern end); also off Route 45, Mt. Ivy, adjourning Gurnee Park and Amphitheater  (western end). 

DIRECTIONS:   Eastern gate - From 202 turn south onto Central Highway (Central Highway is at the north end of Little Tor Road) continue to parking area on east side off road just beyond the crest of the mountain.  Park entrance is across highway.  To western gate - From Route 202 turn south onto Route 45 to entrance some 800' on left.  A blue blaze designates the Long Path Trail. 

PARKING:   Limited parking on Central Highway.  See Gurnee Park for limited parking at western end.  

REST ROOMS:   None   

Not handicapped accessible 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:  Mountainous land - the ridge, traversed by the Long Trail is part of the Palisades escarpment, which ends at Route 45.  A number of scenic views overlook Haverstraw and the Hudson River; Mt. Ivy and Thiells; Clarkstown and Orangetown.  The land is covered with a mature stand of hardwood trees.  The ridge lacks large water retention areas with most of the precipitation absorbed locally or shed down the heavily wooded slope.  Trees include Black Oak, White Oak, Red Oak, Dogwood, Aspen, Tulip, Hemlock, Red Cedar, and Sumac.  In season there are blueberries, wild grapes and raspberries, but please, the berries are for the birds.  

HISTORY:   The mountain is noted more for the road by the same name that runs along its base and the people who resided off it in Clarkstown.  Maxwell Anderson, famous playwright, made the eastern end famous in his play," High Tor."  An air beacon marked this high point but was constantly vandalized before it was finally removed.  Prior to its purchase, the crest of the mountain was approved for the construction of apartment houses.  With the aid of federal funds and gifts of adjoining land, this section was purchased in 1975-76.  A large tract to the west in the Town of Ramapo was obtained by tax delinquency extending the park from Central Highway to Route 45.  

PRESENT USE:  Hiking via the Long Path Trail.  The Long Path runs the length of the park and provides study of nature, geology, and scenic views.  

FUTURE PLANS    Improve and maintain hiking trails.  Protect the greenbelt surrounding our skyline.  

WILDLIFE OF RECORD   White-tailed Deer, Porcupine, Raccoon, Rabbit.  Red Fox, Squirrel, Skunk, Copperhead Snake, Red-tailed Hawk, Great-horned Owl, Ruffled Grouse, Pileated Woodpecker.