Issue link: http://hvparent.uberflip.com/i/669136
hvparent.com n Hudson Valley Parent 23 A 3,000 acre wildlife habitat and recreation area just south of Wurts- boro that was one of four forts built west of the Shawangunk Ridge in 1753. "Kill" is the Dutch word for "stream" and almost 200 species of birds, 30 varieties of fish, and innu- merable plants, reptiles, mammals, and insects call it home There are many folding chair-friendly scenic spots to have lunch and visitors can tailgate in the parking lot. Open year-round daily dawn to dusk. Esty & Hellie Stowell Trailhead at Storm King Cornwall-On-Hudson, Orange County scenichudson.org/parks/stowell Giving access to Storm King State Park, the area also contains 11+ miles of hiking trails that climb to breathtaking views of the Hudson River. Named after Esty and Hellie Stowell - who played important roles in Storm King Park's creation - it features spots for birdwatching, picnicking and dog walking (as long as Rex is on a leash). Open daily year-round from dawn to dusk. Opus 40 Saugerties, Ulster County opus40.org This sculpture park is made from millions of pieces of bluestone, laid by hand by artist Harvey Fite over 37 years. The 70-acre area en- courages families to walk through, around, and over the stones - all the way from its 16-feet underground pathways to the nine-ton center of Fite's Opus 40 sculpture whose top is three-stories above ground. The subterranean passageways are easily accessible for kids and hiking trails, art galleries and events throughout the summer offer other activities. Picnicking on the grounds is welcome and tables are available. Innisfree Garden Millbrook, Dutchess County www.innisfreegarden.org Recognized as one of the "world's 10 best gardens" in 2012, Innisfree is a 150-acre public garden that fea- tures streams, waterfalls, terraces, retaining walls, rocks, and plants. There are plenty of picnic spots throughout the garden with won- derful views of the Hudson Valley as well as the magnificent mist water- falls, circular grotto and climbing hydrangea. There are also beautiful water sculptures and columnar ginkos. Don't miss the fountain jet! Brittany L. Morgan is the Web Editor and Executive Assistant at Hudson Valley Parent. Innisfree Garden • Kids Parties • Sweet Sixteens • Proms & School Dances • Communions • Blacklight Parties • Green Screen Photo Booth