N.Y.-N.J. Park Deal Is Largest in 50 Years

BEAR MOUNTAIN, N.Y. — New York’s largest acquisition of parkland in half a century--more than 15,000 acres of woods and wildlife in Sterling Forest on the New Jersey border--was announced by both states’ governors.

The $55-million purchase is “one of the most significant conservation achievements in New York state of this decade,” said Gov. George Pataki at a recent news conference at the rustic Bear Mountain Inn. “It’s a majestic, nearly pristine natural refuge in the midst of one of the nation’s most densely populated areas.”

Gov. Christie Whitman of New Jersey, which contributed $10 million to the purchase, said Sterling Forest contributes to the drinking-water supply of more than 2 million New Jerseyans.

Preserving the land for the public has long been a goal of conservationists, who were forced to raise funds when the owners proposed building a complex with a population of 35,000.

The federal government was cajoled into appropriating $17.5 million, New York gave $16 million and New Jersey its $10 million. The Lila Acheson and DeWitt Wallace Fund donated $5 million, but even with other private donations, the fund was about $5 million short two months ago and a February deadline was looming.

Then the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation made a $5-million grant, one of its first donations, and the deal was set.

The rugged new park has dense forest and crystalline streams, bobcats and black bears, hawks and wild turkeys. It will link more than 50,000 acres of parks in both states.