Two new purchases protecting open space in Dutchess County, one in Red Hook and one in the town of Poughkeepsie, will do more than provide more places for the plants and animals to hang out; they should provide additional venues for tourism to flourish.
About 110 total acres will be protected via two separate acquisitions, but they will have impact beyond the acreage because the purchases build on existing open space initiatives.
The Mead Orchard will sell development rights for 82 acres of farm land in the town of Red Hook The purchase price is being covered by the locales involved, with Dutchess County using a $427,819 Farmland Protection Implementation Grant from the state Department of Agriculture and Markets toward  acquisition. The Town of Red Hook will contribute $57,335 from its Open Space Protection Program. The remaining $72,771 will come from the county.
Dutchess County is also contributing $150,000 toward the purchase of approximately 30 acres of land on two parcels adjoining Locust Grove, the 150 acre National Historic Landmark estate of Samuel F.B. Morse and wildlife sanctuary in the town of Poughkeepsie.
Locust Grove currently maintains a network of more than 3 miles of trails that are part of the Greenway Trail system.
These new parcels will allow for a mile of historic carriage roads to be added to the existing trail network, all of which is open to the public for recreation and brings the site”™s total acreage to 180 acres.  More than 30,000 people visit the Locust Grove site each year to visit the museum and historic buildings, picnic, walk on the hiking paths, jog on the carriage roads or just to enjoy the peace and quiet of the wildlife sanctuary.
County officials say that the money was set approved for these purchases as part of the 2008 budget process, Dutchess County Legislature Chairman Robert Rolison said, “We cannot and should not miss this opportunity to protect a public environmental, recreational and historical resource at Locust Grove as well as preserve the rural character and natural beauty at Mead Orchards.”
