Highland backs Heritage Trail proposal

By DAVID HULSE

ELDRED — The Highland Town Board Tuesday night joined with Sullivan County in backing a new proposal from the Governor to highlight historic New York sites from the Revolutionary War.

In his recent State of the State message Governor George Pataki focused on the upstate Saratoga Battlefield in proposing a new state “Heritage Trail” that would combine and showcase the numerous historic sites along the Hudson Valley related to the American Revolution.

Highland is home to the Sullivan County Minisink Battleground Park, which is one of the few battlegrounds from the Revolution which remain intact today.

Highland Councilman Peter Lilholt, who also serves as Sullivan County Commissioner of Public Works, said Sullivan County Legislative chair Rusty Pomeroy will issue a letter of support for Pataki’s plan and, in addition, anticipated support from neighboring Port Jervis, home of the Fort Decker Museum.

The new trail is expected to boost tourism traffic along the proposed Route 97 Scenic Byway.