Hikers gather at the Doris Duke Trail dedication in Sterling Forest Park / Photo by Geoff Welch

The vast fortune that was even too much for Doris Duke to spend down in her lifetime continues to benefit in all manner of ways.

The new Doris Duke Trail in Sterling Forest Park was celebrated this past Saturday. Established within the Doris Duke Wildlife Sanctuary, a dedicated section of Sterling Forest, the Doris Duke Trail cuts a pretty picture through the park, taking in cliffs views, scenic marsh, and climbs to panoramic overlooks. Trail was developed and improved by volunteers from the New York New Jersey Trail Conference (NYNJTC) and AmeriCorps.

“I am writing to update you on the proposed Sterling Forest Resort and Casino project – to let you know where we are in the process, what’s next, and how you can participate to make your voice heard,” from letter by Tuxedo Supervisor Mike Rost — the Town of Tuxedo Board meets Monday night at 7:30 p.m. to discuss update residents on Sterling Forest Resort and Casino.

Sona Mason, Program Coordinator with the N.Y.N.J. Trail Conference, decribes the details the new Doris Duke Trail in the Doris Duke Wildlife Sanctuary in Sterling Forest Park / Photo by Geoff Welch

Sona Mason, Program Co-ordinator with the New York New Jersey Trail Conference, described the trail, telling the gathered hikers to enjoy the new trail that was built by volunteers.

Sterling Forest Park was established in 1998 and was the center of a battle between those who wanted to develop the area and those who wanted to preserve green spaces and wetlands in the Ramapo Mountains of Orange County, with much of the park in the Town of Tuxedo. The park now consists of almost 22,000 acres with over 60 miles of hiking trails.

Ramapo College student Lucas Slott interviews hikers about their position on the proposed Genting Casino / Photo by Geoff Welch

Property that borders the park and includes Sterling Ridge Ski Center and the site of New York Renaissance Faire is also the controversial site of the proposed Genting Americas Sterling Forest Resort and Casino, via the company’s development subsidiary, RW Orange County.

The Town of Tuxedo board meets Monday, November 10, to update residents on the casino process and to consider whether the recently submitted Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is complete.

The DEIS provides an outline of substantive issues environmental issues related to the proposed Sterling Forest Resort and was submitted to the Town Board by RW Orange County (Genting) on November 6.

Beaver lodge in a wetland along the Indian Kill, Sterling Forest Park, NY / Photo by Geoff Welch

As the lead agency, the Town of Tuxedo must determine if the DEIS is complete with regard to addressing all issues raised in the environmental Scope of the project. At Monday’s meeting, if the Town Board approves the DEIS as complete, the board will schedule a 30-day public comment period that will commence on November 19 and conclude on December 19.

Written comments related to the DEIS may be submitted to the Town Clerk at Tuxedo Town Hall at any point during the public comment period. Supervisor Rost stated in a letter to residents that there will be a public hearing, tentatively scheduled for Thursday, December 4, where comments may be made in person for the record.