On a recent late October day, just as the leaves popped in their bright reds, a few Friends of Harmony Hall took a hike up to Liberty Rock Park. The idea was to participate in a community clean up of the recent litter party whose remnants were still scattered about on the Sloatsburg overlook rock outcrop.

The fall colors and woody surroundings offered quite the picture postcard. Is it any wonder people would choose this quiet Sloatsburg piece of paradise to enjoy a night of revelry. Just remember park etiquette — carry in, carry out.

The Friends stop off at Sloatsburg’s Stonehenge.

The Friends enjoyed the hike and clean up, while recovering three bins of cans and plastic recyclables. Liberty Rock Park was purchased by the Town of Ramapo in 2008 and now serves as 54 acres of preserved green space and town park land. The Friends group is continuing work with the NY/NJ Trail Conference on a Harmony Hall trail that serves as an official hiking trail up the historic lookout.

View of Sloatsburg looking east from LIberty Rock.

Trail volunteers included David Mack, George Cartamil, Kathy Goldman, Jim Robbins, and Geoff Welch. The group also worked on clearing and cleaning the new Harmony Hall trail, which begins to the left of the Sloatsburg Senior Center — look for yellow surveyor’s tape. The Town of Ramapo Green Committee is currently working to create a sign to mark the trailhead.

Trail volunteers coming down from Liberty Rock: David Mack, George Cartamil, Kathy Goldman, and Jim Robbins.

The Liberty Rock Park parcel of land was once part of Harmony Hall and Jacob Sloat’s extended Sloatsburg property. The top of Torne Mountain can be viewed to the east, while the western view of Liberty Rock offers a view across Sloatsburg to Sterling Forest.

Photos courtesy of Geoff Welch.