Multiple Use Area Campground - Letter Writing Campaign

The following is a sample of what we'll be sending out. If you want to work with a Microsoft Word copy of the letter, click here to download. You may copy it or use it as guideline for writing your own. If you choose the latter, please reinforce that this campground has provided a critical resource for years and that public camping in the Gunks is severely limited. Send it to Governor Pataki at:


Governor George E. Pataki,

State Capitol 

Albany, NY 12224

as well as:


Marc Moran, Regional Director

NYSDEC Region 3

21 South Putt Corners Rd.

New Paltz, NY 12561-1696

and the Ulster County Assemblyman:


Kevin A. Cahill

Governor Clinton Bldg

Suite G-4

Kingston, NY 12401



or:



Kevin A. Cahill

Albany Office

LOB 557

Albany, NY 12248

You can also do much by reminding folks at the campground that the situation is tenuous and by following some simple suggestions, we may not lose the site.

Thank you.

GCC steering committee

Governor George E. Pataki,
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224

Dear Governor Pataki,

Outdoor enthusiasts have enjoyed the privilege of camping at the Shawangunk DEC Multiple Use Area in Gardiner for several decades. Citing conflicts with campers, new homeowners adjacent to the campground have voiced their wish to have this site closed. I strongly advocate that your office does not permit this to happen.

Camping in the Gunks - our gorgeous ridge that serves 500,000 outdoor recreationists a year - is already severely limited. The Shawangunks are North America's busiest rock climbing area. Their easy access is famed nationwide by birders, hikers, mountain bikers, and cross-country skiers. The Shawangunk Multiple Use site is the only public campground serving the ridge. Closing it would surely compromise access to this precious resource.

The rural town of Gardiner historically has been hospitable to camping. The campground has existed for years without incident with its neighbors. Camping remains a compatible, necessary use of the land, reflecting Gardiner's rich outdoor tradition that in part has drawn so many new homeowners to the town. Those who want a view of the Shawangunks from their doorstep ought to accommodate the recreationists in their midst, just as campers must respect their new neighbors. Clearly, some compromise can be reached between campers and landowners, but closing the campground is not the solution.

The Gunks Climbers’ Coalition, whose work you may read about on their website, http://gunksclimbers.org, has an educational campaign for climbers and non-climbers alike, to mitigate everyone’s concerns.

Please extend every effort towards keeping the Shawangunk DEC Multiple Use Area open to the public.

Thank you for your continued interest in the Shawangunks.

Respectfully submitted,