 
Paul Dolan, executive director of ABC News International, his wife JoAnn, and state Parks Commissioner Carol Ash were recognized for contributions to open space.
For nearly 20 years, the Orange County Land Trust has worked to preserve open space. To date, more than 3,600 acres have been protected, either through conservation easements or outright purchases by the OCLT, which recently honored Carol Ash, state commissioner of Parks and Recreation, Paul and JoAnn Dolan and Orange County itself for their continued commitment to nature June 1 at the Glenmere Mansion in Chester.
Ash was appointed by former Gov. Eliot Spitzer in 2008. James DeLaune, executive director of the OCLT, noted Ash”™s years of dedication to parkland preservation and her work for the Palisades Interstate Park Commission. She was instrumental in the passage of the Highlands Conservation Act, the building of the Frank Lautenberg Visitors”™ Center in Sterling Forest and the Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor. Much of the land preservation involved in the formation of Sterling Forest State Park took place on her watch.
Greenwood Lake residents Paul and JoAnn Dolan were recognized for their continued efforts to protect Arrow Park, a former Ukrainian summer colony in the town of Monroe, as well as part of Sterling Forest abutting the property. Paul Dolan, executive director for ABC News International, discovered Arrow Park while hiking the Appalachian Trail at the same time the OCLT was being formulated. Their paths eventually converged, much to the delight of both parties.
Dolan”™s interest in preserving Sterling Forest led him to write the report that eventually helped lead to the purchase and preservation of 22,000 acres of what is now Sterling Forest State Park. During those long sojourns on the Appalachian Trail, he also discovered Arrow Park, a 350-acre summer getaway for hundreds of residents of the Lower East Side of Manhattan from Eastern Europe, who wanted to escape the city heat. The Ukrainian group purchased the property in the 1940s, but as generations grew up and moved away, Arrow Park eventually put itself out to bid. Through Dolan”™s efforts, the land is being secured and purchased through the OCLT.
JoAnn Dolan worked for the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference as its executive director for 17 years, nearly as long as it took to acquire Sterling Forest State Park. She is now actively working with her husband to preserve Arrow Park.
The Orange County Office of the Executive, its Legislature, planning department and county attorney were honored with a public service award for continued efforts to preserve and protect vital parcels in Orange County.
“We”™re really fortunate to have people like these who actively work to preserve and protect space here,” said DeLaune, who joined 350 other guests in celebrating the accomplishments of Ash, the Dolans and Orange County.
When Arrow Park”™s acquisition is completed, its 400 acres will be permanently dedicated to open space, and the 80 acres will be used in adaptive re-use as a respite for people who are either emotionally or physically disabled. Since 2001, Arrow Park has held a several events for those traumatized by the attacks on the Twin Towers as well as for the families of those who perished during the assault.
DeLaune was excited by the turnout. “We had more than 350 people turn out for this event; that”™s the biggest turnout we”™ve ever had. The silent and live auction was almost double what we”™ve had in the past: nearly $13,000 for the silent auction alone.”
As for the restoration and eventual opening of the Glenmere, “It is going to be spectacular. The owners are really putting in what it takes to do a proper restoration.” (See separate story on Glenmere.)
