by mike » Mon Aug 22, 2016 11:54 am

Question: it's been stated that people are trespassing across private land to get to the swimming holes. These swimming holes are on state land? How can the town and others block access to state land?

Sort of a complicated answer. But, the town is "blocking" access by putting up No Parking signs. This limited the number of cars that can be parked. This will reduce the number of people. There is a well used trail that leads to the Plattekill Creek. This trail is on private property. The landowner can close the trail and put up No Trespassing signs. That would reduce the number significantly. If this was done, the only other way is to come in at the Greene/Ulster Cty line. This would be on State Land. They cannot block that route. But, there isn't a trail, and the route in is difficult. There is also a trail that leads down from Hell's Hole down to the swimming holes, but this trail is very dangerous. People have been killed when they fell off the trail. You can read about one of them here: http://www.catskillmountaineer.com/forums/phpBB-3.0.5/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=174&sid=9a3b8cf0d2d1e646d2c9d977961303c1 Generally, the State cannot shutdown access to use the land. But, there are circumstances where they can make it difficult to access a location. They can also shutdown a region for rehabilitation or construction.The DOT in towns and State can also make it difficult to park in some areas. Generally, if you can get your wheels off the road, they cannot ticket you. There is a certain distance off the road that the public owns. If there are No Parking signs, legally you can park off the road AND shoulder. This is what is happening with the swimming hole on Rt 23 in Catskill Creek. As long as they are off the shoulder, it is legal. But, if you try this on Rt 23a in the Town of Hunter, and they will tow you. Then we have landowners who are putting up illegal No Parking signs, and having cars towed when they park there. Malden Ave, Silver Hollow, etc are examples of this. Then you have towns that make up their own rules and ticket and tow cars when it suits them. Since, you end up in the town's court, it is a losing situation. Obviously, it is a conflict of interest, but don't expect the judge to move the trial to another court. At some point we expect litigation to occur to stop this illegal practice by landowners and Towns. There is a hiking group that is monitoring this problem, and may step in with litigation at some point.If the town of Saugerties and the private property landowners block access, hikers can still get in. But, the flip-flop swimmers will not take the effort to bushwhack into the creek on the county line.Sadly, many of the swimming holes have been shutdown or access has been blocked. This is usually due to unruly swimmers that ruin it for everyone else. Some swimmers bring in glass bottles, and leave garbage. Now, we have all those swimmers converging on one or two swimming holes that have not been blocked or closed. This has caused too many people at one swimming hole.Hope that explains the situation better. Basically, it is a war between landlowners and towns against people who want to enjoy the outdoors. Both have rights, and some of those rights of both parties are being abused.