Open Space Institute buys land near Bluestone Forest

The Open Space Institute has purchased 208 acres that will fill in the gaps of the Bluestone Wild Forest off state Route 28 and Morey Hill Road.

The institute said it bought the land from Mamoon and Shafia Aldulaimi for $650,000. The land comprises 178 acres in the town of Kingston and 30 acres in Woodstock, immediately north of Pickerel Lake.

“The property features a variety of terrain, from heavy forests to wetlands and streams,” said Eileen Larrabee, vice president of communications for the Open Space Institute (OSI).

“It’s undulating topography, as well as the underlying bluestone, is well-suited for mountain biking,” Larrabee said. “It really has the potential to be an extremely popular recreational destination for hikers and bikers, alike.”

The land is being added to 3,018 acres that already are part of the Bluestone Wild Forest, and the Open Space Institute plans to create a 6-mile trail for biking.

“OSI — working with the Woodstock Land Conservancy and Tahawus Trails, and in coordination with DEC (the state Department of Environmental Conservation), bicycle advocacy group Fats in the Cats and others — is developing a trail plan to enhance the existing dirt roads and build new trails on the property with minimal impact to the landscape,” Open Space Institute officials wrote in a press release.

The Open Space Institute said a parking area, trail head and signage kiosk will be created.