ELLENVILLE – Hope that the Minnewaska State Park's Master Plan would include some kind of plan for developing the Berme Road access area to the Smiley Road was dashed this week with the release of the park's revised master plan.

In fact, the general tenor of the plan seems to be more one of restraint and containment. Thus, there is a plan to build a 50 car holding area at the main Minnewaska entrance, so that cars waiting to get into the park won't be lined up in dangerous fashion along Route 44/55. But there seems to be no plans for expanding access to the park anywhere else.

Jeff Kaplan, Mayor of Ellenville, said in response to the news, "The village is disappointed that the Minnewaska Master Plan has not extended to include Ellenville. We really have to work together. It's one thing to add to the park. It's another to develop things so that village residents and tourists have a means to get into the park system."

John Adams, environmental activist and resident of the area, said that the master plan is missing some elements.

"My brother-in-law and his wife and daughter were visiting. They're avid hikers. But we had to send them to Minnewaska, because there's nowhere to go on this side of the park. In fact, there isn't even a picnic area."

Adams noted that for Ellenville, Kerhonkson, and the Rondout Valley, "signage for trails and parking spaces are things that are valuable in helping us to become a tourist destination."

While disappointed, Adams was looking forward to the October 22 public hearing, which will be held at the Lecture Center, Room 100 at SUNY New Paltz.

"I'm hoping the state reconsiders and provides much better parking and signage for the trails on the western slope."

Mayor Kaplan wasn't giving up hope either.

"We're hopeful that in the future, we'll be considered as part of any development plans."