Sustainable Warwick's 1:1 matching fund campaign for Transformation Trails has concluded. Our first goal of $2,000 was met by many generous friends of Warwick, so we upped it to $4,000. That goal was met and surpassed! Your donations have been doubled to help underwrite the planting of native trees and establishing pollinator meadows. Trees are already being planted and the pollinator meadows are being prepped for the first plantings in 2025. It takes a lot of work to make it happen and your support is so appreciated.
Going forward, to make a donation directly to Transformation Trails, please use the donate button below. If you have questions for them about the process or how you can get involved: ttwarwickinfo@gmail.com
Sustainable Warwick is teaming up with the Warwick Shade Tree Commission and Department of Public Works, Agrisculpture, the Hudson Sports Complex, and a growing coalition of individuals, businesses, and other supporters in the transformation of nearly 10 acres nestled in Wickham Woodlands Park.
Join us, your fellow neighbors, community members and lovers of the great outdoors, as we build a vibrant green space to enjoy for generations to come!
The vision for Transformation Trails is a dramatic re-purposing of an unused and overgrown section located within the park into something residents of all ages can come and enjoy. Over time, this stunning renovation will include:
an arboretum with hundreds of selected trees
planted meadows to attract birds and pollinators
a sculpture garden
pathways that wind through the area, some incorporating exercise stations
a small amphitheater for outdoor concerts and events
An artistic rendering (pictured above) indicates where this new area is situated and how the various components will fit together. The dark areas are the fields and buildings of the Hudson Sports Complex, the green areas will be the arboretum, planted with hundreds of trees of carefully selected by members of the Shade Tree Commission, including many native trees. The yellow areas will be the pollinator meadows flanking the amphitheater and sculpture gardens, which have breath-taking views of both Wickham Lake and Sugarloaf Mountain.
You can play a vital role in sustaining the scenic Warwick Valley for generations to come.
Help spread the word! Please share this page on Facebook and Instagram. sustainablewarwick.org/transformation-trails
To follow the progress of the Transformation Trails - from Prison to Park project, go to transformationtrails.com
History in the Making
One of the true success stories for Warwick in this century is what happened — and is still happening — to the Mid-Orange Correctional Facility.
Closed in 2011, the 750-acre MOCF, which looked and felt more like the campus of a private school than a prison, was transferred, after three long years of negotiations, from New York State to Warwick. The site was divided into 2 areas — roughly 150 acres for eventual commercial development, priced at $3.7 million, and 600 acres with a large lake and some of the most beautiful land in Orange County, at a cost of $1!
Today the fruits of this land acquisition are evident: multiple tax-paying businesses offering hundreds of good jobs, and the lovely Wickham Woodlands Park.
A kick off for this exciting addition to the Park was held in April at the site with a ceremonial planting of the first 5 trees and a full description of how the area will evolve, offering images of how things will look in 10, 20, and 50 years! Park visitors can stroll around the area today and see images of the vision for the full Transformation Trails project.
Special Thanks
The transformation of this project from a vague idea on paper to something taking root is the result of a productive collaboration between town officials, Warwick community groups, and local business owners. Special thanks to Warwick Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton, Warwick Shade Tree Commission and Department of Public Works, Agrisculpture, the Hudson Sports Complex, and our own Geoff Howard. Without their early support and dedication to the project, it could not have achieved the growth we have seen thus far.
Photos provided by AGRISCULPTURE.