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If it weren’t for McGregory Brook, Jan Peek might have continued sailing up the Hudson River in 1650 instead of stopping to trade with the natives and ultimately founding the area that is now Peekskill. Peek was not alone in his discovery of this vital inlet that provided access for shipping and trade. The modest waterway has figured prominently in American History from the Revolutionary War to the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution.

Today a new chapter in its history began when NewYork-Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital unveiled a new Nature Trail, the final stage of a four-year restoration of wetlands along a section of McGregory Brook. The trail, which was in part made possible by a donation from the Rotary Club of Peekskill, includes a 550 foot boardwalk, wood chip trail, benches and native plantings. In addition to a clean up which restored the health of the wetlands, the trail will provide visitors and patients with a place to reflect and rejuvenate their spirits. The work was done by The Chazen Companies of Poughkeepsie. NY.

"This Rotary Walk is yet another effort to provide a setting that promotes healing for our patients and their loved ones," said John C. Federspiel, President of NewYork-Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital. "The work has also restored to health a section of McGregory Brook so that native plant and animal species can once again thrive there. We are so thankful today for the generosity of the membership of the Rotary Club of Peekskill for making this possible."

Also speaking at Thursday’s event were: Andrew T. Chmar, Executive Director of the Hudson Highland Land Trust; Edward Godell, Executive Director of the New York/New Jersey Trail Conference and Joseph Lippolis, President of the Rotary Club of Peekskill.