About the Initiative:
The Free Community Hikes Initiative is a collaborative effort to offer monthly guided hikes for residents of the City of Newburgh. This program, developed in partnership with the Mount Saint Mary Desmond Center for Community Engagement and Wellness, aims to provide equitable access to outdoor spaces, ensuring everyone—regardless of financial or logistical barriers—can experience nature’s health and wellness benefits.
Equitable Access to Nature:
Urban residents, especially those from underserved communities, often face significant obstacles to accessing outdoor experiences. This initiative directly addresses these barriers through:
- Free Transportation: Eliminating the need for personal vehicles or complicated travel arrangements.
- Guided Hikes for All Ages and Abilities: Each hike is designed to accommodate participants of various fitness levels, ensuring inclusivity.
- Increased Access to Outdoor Wellness: The collaboration with the Desmond Center ensures that those who may not typically have access to nature can participate in a meaningful, structured experience in the outdoors.
By reducing these barriers, we are committed to fostering a deeper connection to nature, promoting community health, and inspiring environmental stewardship among urban residents.
Partnerships Supporting Community Hikes in Newburgh
This initiative is made possible through the combined efforts of local and regional partners. Special thanks to:
- Mount Saint Mary Desmond Center for Community Engagement and Wellness – for their key role in recruiting participants, managing registration, and supporting outreach efforts to ensure that everyone in the community is aware of and can access this program.
- Scenic Hudson – for offering access to their parks and preserves, creating memorable outdoor experiences.
- New York State Conservation Partnership Program (NYSCPP) and Land Trust Alliance – for their capacity-building support, enabling us to deliver this program to underserved communities.
- Malcolm Gordon Charitable Trust Open Space Institute Fund – for their financial support, helping us break down barriers to outdoor exploration.
Together, we aim to ensure that the outdoors is available to all, focusing on underserved urban residents in Newburgh and the Mid-Hudson Valley.
Why It Matters:
Equitable access to nature offers critical benefits to urban communities, including:
- Improved Physical and Mental Health: Spending time in nature has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and promote physical activity.
- Fostering Environmental Stewardship: Encouraging participants to engage with the natural world fosters a sense of responsibility and care for our environment.
- Strengthening Community Bonds: Our hikes bring neighbors together, creating shared experiences that deepen community ties and foster collaboration.
- Empowering Local Youth Leaders: The initiative also includes leadership development for youth, helping them gain skills in outdoor leadership and environmental conservation.
By providing free access to nature, transportation, and guidance, we are bridging the gap between urban living and the natural world, creating opportunities for connection and wellness.
All hikes are led by experienced guides and are designed to be beginner-friendly, allowing participants to explore the beauty of the Hudson Valley while learning about conservation and land stewardship.
