Newburgh is an Environmental Justice Community, defined as a minority or low-income community that bears a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from local development. We believe in the power of an engaged community that works together to protect the environment and will increase access to nature’s benefits. By providing a platform for residents to amplify their voices, we are supporting the next generation of climate activists to protect the public food garden at The Sanctuary, a healthy and thriving Crystal Lake, walking trails, and natural playscapes for currently nature-deprived community members.

Crystal Lake and the surrounding public lands sequester 254 MTCO2e/year, equivalent to avoiding the toxic emissions of more than 630,000 miles driven by an average gas powered vehicle. This reduces pollution and protects Hudson Valley’s existing biodiversity within our shared lands, streams, ponds and wetlands from the contaminating aspects of development and prevents this area from becoming one in need of future reforestation. Such impactful benefits between our urban ecosystems to the green spaces that surround them builds momentum towards creating permanent access to nature, food, and recreation for residents to enjoy.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation cites numerous benefits of spending time outside and in forests, including boosting the immune system, lowering blood pressure, reducing stress, improving mood, and increasing ability to focus. Protecting Crystal Lake as a public park will require the courageous action of its neighbors, community stakeholders, and municipal government to ensure the quality of life and health of residents for many generations to come.

Work to protect Crystal Lake does not exist in silos. River cities all across the Hudson Valley are working to protect their urban greenspaces, activate underutilized land, and establish community farms as a launching pad to regenerate communities. This movement has proven to increase food security, increase economic security and wealth through community-owned assets, and grow our civic power, as evidenced in places like Poughkeepsie, Peekskill and the Capital Region. By protecting Crystal Lake, the city of Newburgh has an opportunity to distinguish itself as an exemplary leader in this movement.

A recent study by the Trust for Public Land found that NYC parks have increased property values by $15.2 bn and national studies have found that properties close to parks in urban areas enjoy 10%-20% property value increases.