About Us
Protect the Highlands is a grassroots, broad-based coalition of diverse voices formed in response to the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail: a boardwalk, elevated walkway, and network of parking lots proposed for construction along the Hudson River between the Village of Cold Spring and the City of Beacon in New York State.
Protect the Highlands is a platform for those who are committed to sharing this revered valley, preserving its historical and environmental integrity, and building a vibrant future for the community. Our goal is to ensure that the concerns of stakeholders are not just heard, but responded to with practical solutions and actions. Learn more…
What is the Fjord Trail?
Scenic Hudson and their subsidiary, Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail, Inc. (HHFT), want to build a major tourist attraction they say will be “the epicenter of tourism in the Hudson Valley” and have “national prominence.”
Stretching 7.5 miles from the Metro-North train station in Cold Spring to Long Dock Park in Beacon, the Fjord Trail would lead to years of heavy construction, degrade the environment, despoil the landscape, worsen traffic, bring an unmanageable number of tourists, and strain resources in the historic village of Cold Spring. Read more…
Overtourism and crowding: Up to 1 million people are projected annually.
This level of visitation would be roughly double the amount HHFT initially projected. Philipstown and Beacon are already feeling the effects of over-tourism and new development, and do not have the capacity to absorb this extreme level of tourism.
More traffic: The Fjord Trail would have 1,798 parking spaces and 75% of visitors are projected to arrive by car.
HHFT is planning to make use of street parking in Cold Spring and Beacon, free parking at Metro-North parking lots in Cold Spring and Beacon, and build new and expanded paid parking lots within Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve. HHFT plans to more than double the number of parking spaces along Route 9D—from 286 spaces currently to 582 spaces following construction. All lots would be connected by shuttle buses. Paid parking at lots operated by HHFT and Scenic Hudson would encourage drivers to seek out free street parking in Cold Spring, Nelsonville, and Beacon. Think peak season, but worse—and not just on weekends.
Threats to the environment: Heavy construction would destroy 55.6 acres of habitat.
Building the concrete boardwalk would require driving 433 pilings into the Hudson River shoreline. Vegetation would be cleared and barges would be moored along the riverbank. North of Breakneck Ridge, HHFT would have to clearcut a path up to 14 feet wide through the woods, which would lead to habitat loss, fragmentation, and edging. Habitat for wildlife—including threatened bird and reptile species—would also be lost for parking lots, bathrooms, maintenance buildings, and construction staging areas.
Over-burdened emergency services: Local police, fire, and EMS—paid for by local taxpayer dollars—would be used to respond to emergencies on the Fjord Trail.
Rather than hire their own first responders, HHFT plans to rely on neighboring municipal police, fire, and ambulance services to respond to emergencies on the Fjord Trail. Whoever is closest—whether that’s Cold Spring, Fishkill, or the Putnam County Sheriff—would be obligated to respond first. HHFT’s emergency response plan would only further strain already overburdened departments and likely increase response times for local emergencies.
Don’t be fjooled. Get the facts.
Follow the Money
How much will the Fjord Trail cost to build and how much will it cost to maintain it? If anyone knows, no one will say.
To date, HHFT has been awfully quiet about answering even the most basic questions about how the Fjord Trail will be operated and maintained. How many people will be needed to keep the trail free of garbage and maintain the bathrooms? Who will clean up after floods? Who will be responsible for responding to emergencies? Who will undertake ongoing capital maintenance? What will these things cost? Who will pay?
Frequently Asked Questions
Don’t have time for the long read? Look no further for straightforward answers to frequently asked questions from the community.
As the true costs of the Fjord Trail become clear, we must decide what kind of future we want for the Hudson Highlands.
Take Action
We are an entirely volunteer-run organization and welcome new members to join us. There are numerous ways to get involved, including adding your name to our list of supporters, volunteering, and making a donation.
