They’re still cleaning up weeks after July 9’s rains
As of last Friday, Bear Mountain State Park was still closed, officials said, due to damage from a heavy rainstorm and flash floods on Sunday, July 9.
You may recall that the storm’s epicenter landed near West Point, where as much as nine inches of rain fell in less than six hours — “an unprecedented amount that overwhelmed local infrastructure and landscapes”, according to a press release update from the Palisades Interstate Park Commission. “There was tragic loss of life and destruction in nearby towns, and the floods caused significant damage in nearby Palisades Parks.”
Bear Mountain State Park sustained the worst damage, and areas of Harriman State Park, Storm King Mountain State Park, and Fort Montgomery Historic Site were also affected.
Crews are still assessing damage, but below is a non-exhaustive update of the condition of the parks:
Roads: Crews have been working to repair and restore washed out sections of the Palisades Interstate Parkway; Route 9W and the Popolopen Bridge; Route 6; Seven Lakes Drive; and Route 218/ Storm King Highway
Running Water: Flooding and water overtopping the dam at Queensboro Lake affected the Queensboro Water Treatment plant, which provides water to Bear Mountain’s buildings and facilities. The park has been without running water since the storm, water trucks are currently supplying the animals at the Trailside Zoo
Trails: Many popular trails were washed out and seriously damaged, including large sections of the Appalachian trail; Suffern-Bear Mountain trail; 1777 trail; Popolopen Creek trails and ‘Hell Hole’ bridge; Doodletown trails; and the Cornell Mine trail and bridge
Park Buildings: Several park buildings need to be rebuilt or repaired, including the Park’s maintenance garage, carpenter’s shop, and plumber’s shop. The Bear Mountain Pool bathhouse also sustained some damage.
“Despite the storm’s destruction, we are proud to celebrate the heroic work of emergency responders and park staff during the floods,” the press release said. “Thanks to the rapid response from local EMT’s and park rangers, more than a dozen hikers and park users were rescued during the storm, including a pair who had sustained serious injuries. A hazardous diesel gas spill was nearly avoided thanks to quick work by crews from New York State Parks and the Department of Environmental Conservation.”
Park staff hope that Bear Mountain State Park will be able to reopen to the public in early August once running water is restored. Many trails and roads will remain closed, and the Bear Mountain Pool will not reopen this season.
The Park is working with federal and state authorities to secure recovery funds for infrastructure. The Palisades Parks Conservancy is raising essential funds for trail restoration and repairs to damaged facilities.
The PIPC closed its press release with a link to a donation page to support Bear Mountain’s recovery: www.palisadesparks.org/donate.
