The Ellenville Board of Trustees heard a proposal for a conservation easement on the golf course property at its October 13, 2026 meeting. Zali Win, executive director of the Rondout Esopus Land Conservancy, presented the proposal in response to the village’s request for proposals.

Win began by explaining the conservancy’s origins.

“Rondout Esopus Land Conservancy was founded in 1987, primarily in response to the threat of development locally. I don't know if anyone remembers Park Europa and those plans around 1987. Somebody had proposed a very large amusement park. I'm not exactly sure, but somewhere in Wawarsing. And a number of members of the agricultural community and conservation community in Rochester and Marbletown formed Rondout Esopus Land Conservancy to address the issue of uncontrolled development and to create a pathway to steer developers towards development that respects the natural resources of a community, as well as its rural character and way of life,” Win said.

Since its founding, the conservancy has protected 4,950 acres through conservation easements. These include Davis Farm in Kerhonkson and a series of parcels totaling 35 acres along Rest Plaus Road in Marbletown.

Win said all 13 members of the conservancy’s board are local and that the organization has primarily focused on areas south of Route 28 and west of the Shawangunk Ridge.

“To be perfectly honest, our holdings south of Rochester have been pretty sparse, and we particularly welcome the opportunity to work in this part of the county and look for opportunities, not only with this particular project, but with any project that any of you might become aware of in this area,” Win said.

Win then outlined the conservancy’s proposal for the golf course property.

“The proposal that we submitted to the village contemplates the protection of the 48-acre parcel that comprises Stoeckeler Memorial Park. And we contemplate restrictions on it that will ensure that that property always remains open space available for recreation by the people of this community,” he said. “The only way that property can be protected from future development or conversion to tract housing or any other type of development is through a conservation easement.”

Win explained that keeping the property under municipal ownership would not guarantee its long-term protection, as future boards could choose to use it for purposes other than recreation.

“If it remains under municipal control, whether it's this municipality or any other, the governing body of that board has the right at some future date to convert that to some purpose other than recreational purposes,” Win said. “So really, the only way that it can be preserved so that it remains open space available for recreation, without exception, would be through a conservation easement, whether that easement is held by us or any other entity that is able to hold a conservation easement.”

Win described a conservation easement as an agreement between a property owner and a conservation organization that limits development rights. Under the proposed arrangement, the village would be the grantor and the conservancy the grantee. Certain development rights, including the ability to transfer development rights to increase density on adjacent properties, would be permanently retired.

Mayor Trent clarified that existing recreational activities, including golf during the warmer months and snow tubing in winter, could continue under the easement, provided they were included among the permitted uses.

Win said the specific terms would be established through negotiations. Further discussion clarified that motorized dirt bikes would not be permitted on the conserved property, while nonmotorized bicycles could be allowed. Trustee and Deputy Mayor Ray Younger also asked about walking trails and was assured they could be permitted.

The board briefly discussed the clubhouse and restaurant, which need repairs. In response to a question from Barbara Hoff, Trent said the village would retain the right to transfer ownership of the building or sell it, along with the adjacent parking lot.

Trent concluded by asking Village Manager Nicky Woerner to work with Village Attorney Ian Morse on an agreement with the Rondout Esopus Land Conservancy.