Home / Environment / N.Y. Mountain's Unique Past Preserved for Future
N.Y. Mountain's Unique Past Preserved for Future
27 Aug
Summary
- Historic Chinese American-owned ski resort property purchased for park.
- Property connects two previously separated sections of park.
- Mountain provides refuge and stores significant carbon.
A significant 440-acre parcel, formerly known as Mt. Cathalia, has been acquired to become part of New York's Minnewaska State Park Preserve. This historic site was once the country's sole Chinese American-owned and operated ski resort and hotel, established in the 1950s by Army veteran Joseph Tso.
The property's acquisition for $3.3 million by the Open Space Institute will connect two previously separated areas of the park, the North and South Gully areas, near the Ellenville Ice Caves. This addition will expand the preserve to over 24,000 acres and create a continuous corridor of conserved land along the Shawangunk Ridge.
Beyond its conservation value, Mt. Cathalia holds historical importance as a welcoming retreat for minority visitors during an era of exclusion. The land features diverse habitats, including rocky outcrops and forests, estimated to store 132,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. It also plays a crucial role in the Sandburg Creek watershed, with North Gully serving as an emergency water source for Ellenville.
