Waterfall overlook

We had the great honor to to help a big team working to transform the Columbia County Land Conservancy property at High Falls in Philmont, NY. The land conservancy manages five beautiful and thoughtfully maintained public properties. You can find more about their extensive work throughout Columbia County HERE.

The land conservancy describes the High Falls property as:

 

“High Falls includes one mile of trail that winds through hemlock ravines alongside the Agawamuck Creek and to an overlook of Columbia County’s highest waterfall. This site and the Agawamuck Creek have been an important part of Philmont’s development. In the early 19th century, hydropower was the industry’s chief energy source. Access to hydropower via the falls led to the growth of a bustling village called Factory Hill, later named Philmont. In Philmont’s heyday, the waterfall provided power for 17 mills. The dam above High Falls, built in 1845, is visible from the viewing area.”

 

We love this property for so many reason, for all its wonderful woodland magic, native ephemerals including Trout Lily, Wild Ginger, Bloodroot, May Apple in abundance. We also love how high use this property is and the deep love the communities has for it On an average day you’ll pass locals walking their dogs, lots of children and families out for a walk, a few groups of teenagers wondering through and many weekend visitors out for a small hike. And of course we love the healing wonder of falling water!

The land conservancy embarked on a big multi faceted project at High Falls. This project included a new more ADA friendly trail, a forestry project, a big invasive species management project, a new welcome kiosk and a new overlook at the crown jewel of the property, the waterfall. Design Wild was tasked with re-designing the waterfall viewing area. For years this area had been deeply eroded packed earth with tons of exposed tree roots and almost zero seating for community viewing.

AFTER

BEFORE

The Clearing Folks School with Darrel Morrison

We had the great opportunity to head to Wisconsin to stay at The Clearing Folk School and study with one of ecological landscape’s loveliest of legends, the great Darrel Morrison. Darrel had asked us to bring a project with us and we brought along High Falls. With a group of very talented plant folks we spent a week botanizing, studying and following Darrel around the Wisconsin landscape and the Clearing property originally owned and designed by Jens Jenson. We learned a ton and got to incorporate Darrel’s suggestions into our final design.

Jen Jenson’s classic council circle at The Clearing Folks School overlooking Lake Michigan

Back in the Hudson Valley

Back in the Hudson Valley we got right to work. Our design included a gentle snaking path to allow for better accessibility and help with future erosion, chunky trail steps constructed from locust trees harvested from the property, and a large council circle inspired by the great Jens Jenson. Stone and trail work assist by Green Agers and the bridge, viewing platform and benches all created by the very magical Green River Timberworks.

Viewing platform constructed by Green River Timberworks

Community Planting Day

Now for the best part… We had a lively community work day to get all the plants into the ground. With the land conservancy staff in full attendance and a great group of volunteers we planted a plant list 90% found naturally occurring on the property already including several species of ferns, Tiarella, Cohosh, Carex, Asarum, Aronia and more. Are goal here was to make the new area look like it was a natural extension of the lush native woodland.

BEFORE

AFTER

Some of the plant selection included:

Please head out to High Falls for a 10 min hike, for the healing sounds and sanctuary of falling water, to dip your toes in the Agawamuck Creek on a hot day or to sit with friends in the council circle. We remain truly impressed with the wonderful work the Columbia Land Conservancy does throughout the county and we know this property at High Falls will continue to be loved by this supportive community long into the future.

The great Tim Kennelty supporting our community planting day with CLC staff Patrick Knapp