The Bannerman Castle Trust (BCT) in Beacon, New York, has been awarded a $27,450 matching grant from the Environmental Protection Fund’s Parks and Trails Partnership Grants program.
The funding will support a transformative project on Pollepel Island, connecting the existing “Red Trail” to “The Grotto,” a previously hidden architectural feature. Additionally, the grant will improve visitor access to the “Wee Bay” area, which offers iconic southern views toward West Point. These infrastructure upgrades are designed to enhance the experience for all visitors, specifically improving accessibility for those with impaired mobility.
“Parks and Trails New York has been a vital partner to the trust,” said Neil Caplan, BCT executive director. “With $297,550 in total support over the years, their funding has been instrumental in our mission to preserve and stabilize the island’s historic structures.”
The BCT is one of 27 organizations statewide to receive a portion of $2.25 million in funding this year. The program, now in its 10th year, is administered by Parks & Trails New York in partnership with the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
“This year’s record-breaking awards ensure that vital sites like Bannerman Island continue to educate, inspire and warmly welcome all who visit,” said Paul Steely White, executive director of Parks and Trails New York. Since 1994, the Bannerman Castle Trust has served as the official “Friends Group” for the island, raising millions of dollars to maintain the site as a premier educational and cultural destination in the Hudson Valley.
