County Parks & Dog Runs

• Samuel G. Fisher Environmental Park  Map

Directions

From Exit 11 off the Palisades Parkway travel to Pomona Road, make a right turn on Fireman's Memorial Drive. Entrance is located at end of road. Limited parking on Fireman's Memorial Drive. Please do not block gate.

Description

272 Acres - Mount Ivy is composed primarily of swampy marshland, which serves as an aquifer for the Minisceongo Creek. Ecologically it serves as a water purifier and has been named by the DEC as a protected wetland area. A large 40-acre piece east of the Lackawanna railroad bed contains many species of trees indigenous to Rockland County. It has an abundance of Yellow Poplar, commonly known as Tulip Tree. Passage through the area is difficult because of the swamps and marshes. The best way to view the park is through the abandoned railroad bed located off Route 202 and also Station Road, adjacent to the American Legion Hall.

History

Acquired 1962-63. An additional forty-three acres was added in 1984 and twenty-four acres in 1986 through tax delinquency. In the 18th century, the Mount Ivy area was the center of a Quaker settlement with a Quaker meeting House. In the 19th century when Thiells Road, with a bridge over the N.Y. & N.J. railroad, met at Route 45 and Route 202, the intersection became known as Gurnee's corner. The Gurnee house stood just west of the corners.

Present Use

Hiking along the railroad bed. Wildlife observation and wetland ecology.

• Rest Rooms: No
• Handicapped Accessible: No

Future Use

Wetland Preservation, nature study, animal and bird sanctuary. Develop a nature trail to give guided tours through the wetlands. Construct a parking area off Route 202.

Wildlife

White-tailed Deer, Raccoon, Squirrel, Opossum, Skunk, Garter Snake, Watersnake, Black Snake, Box and Wood Turtles. The Rockland Audubon Society reports that 82 species of birds use the area, a majority of which are nesting. One may find the Great Blue Heron, Black Duck, Wood Duck, Mallard Duck, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Coopers Hawk, Ruffed Grouse, Killdeer, Woodcock, Pileated Woodpecker, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Screech Owl, Great Horned Owl, Kingfisher, Eastern Kingbird, Great-crested Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Peewee, Bank Swallow, Brown Creeper, Veery, Hermit Thrush, Wood Thrush, Ovenbird, Yellow Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Bluejay, Gnatcatcher, Yellowthroat, Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Audubon Society has many more.