Pine Meadow Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pine Meadow Lake |
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 Pine Meadow Lake
Location in New York
Pine Meadow Lake
Location in the United States
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| Coordinates | 41°10′34″N 74°07′31″W / 41.1760°N 74.1252°W |
| Type | lake |
| Surface area | 72 acres (0.29 km2) |
| Surface elevation | 974 feet (297 m) |
Pine Meadow Lake is a lovely lake in Rockland County, New York. It covers about 72 acres (0.29 square kilometers). The lake sits high up, at an elevation of 974 feet (297 meters) above sea level. You can find it at the end of the 5.5-mile (8.9 km) Pine Meadow Trail, deep inside Harriman State Park.
Contents
History of Pine Meadow Lake
Early Settlers and Land Acquisition
People lived in the area around Pine Meadow Lake a long time ago. As early as 1724, a person named Nicholas Conklin settled there. His family continued to live on the land for many years. They had several small cabins in the area.
Later, the Palisades Interstate Park Commission bought this land. This commission is a group that helps protect natural areas and create parks. They wanted to add this land to Harriman State Park.
Building the Lake and Park Facilities
The lake itself was created by building a dam. This dam was built by workers from the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Civilian Conservation Corps, often called the CCC, was a special program during the 1930s. Young men who needed jobs worked on projects like building parks and dams across the country.
A person named William A. Welch, from the Park Commission, helped lead this work. The lake was part of a bigger plan. The idea was to build a collection of cabins, roads, a water system, and even a special incinerator for trash.
Planned Camps and Today's Use
The original plan was to build 35 camps around the lake. However, most of these camps were never finished. None of the planned camps exist there today.
Today, Pine Meadow Lake is a popular spot for hikers and nature lovers. It offers a peaceful escape within Harriman State Park.
