Kowawese Unique Area at Plum Point. Orange County Parks Series. #1

    ... a spot hollowed by Revolutionary incidents, semi-isolated by the conclusions of nature, overlooking to the north the broad expanse of Newburg Bay, to the South the placid bosom of the hurrying river as it nears the strait over which the mighty Storm King stands sentinel... here should be a public park, a want which the rapid growth of Newburgh and Cornwall will turn to a necessity in the early future. A more beautiful and appropriate site for the purpose cannot be found.
           U.S. Congressman Lewis Beach, 1873

Located on Route 9W in the town of New Windsor, N.Y. at Plum Point, is a lovely, well maintained county park.   
It affords visitors plenty of hiking, a beach (no swimming allowed), fishing, boating (car top boats only),  benches, picnic tables, grills, ample parking and an interpretive center (available for rentals). It also includes a playground equipped with swings and a slide, (also used for parties). 
Nestled on the banks of the Hudson River and the Newburgh Bay this site boasts magnificent vistas of the Hudson River gorge including Storm King Mountain, Breakneck Mountain, and farther in the distance West Point.

KOWAWESE, pronounced [Kow-a-way-say]  meant place of small pines to the native Americans who once lived there. Woarenecks, associated with the Munci clan of the Lenape nation.  The name Plum Point was used later by European settlers first among them a Scottish immigrant who arrived and 1685 building a log cabin on the site and a trading post just across Moodna Creek.
During the American Revolution a gun battery here threatened British ships. Over a century later a brick making operation moved in sand mined at Plum Point was used by other brickmakers along the Hudson and in constructing the New York State Thruway in the 1950's.

Renewed interest in the Hudson's beauty and ecology through corporate funded clean ups in the 1970s prompted recognition of Kowawese's outstanding vistas and valuable habitats. With front funds from the NYS Environmental Quality Bond Act of 1986, and donations from Scenic Hudson, The Wallace Fund for the Hudson Highlands, the Open Space Institute, the Trust for Public Land and the Hudson River Improvement Fund,  New York State purchased the property in 1988.
Kowawese Unique Area is now a 102 acre park site own by New York State and managed by the Orange County Department of Parks Recreation and Conservation.

The interpretive center located at this park is available to rent for gatherings.  It is an ideal space for meetings, classes or small parties. The large picture windows look out over the Hudson and through the gorge affording spectacular views.  Not to mention on sunny days, since it's facing south it makes the room very warm and cozy. So don't hesitate to book in the winter! For rental information call (845)615-3830.

Fishing:  Fishing is permitted along to 2000 feet of shoreline at Kowawese. Fishing licenses are required in accordance with New York State law.
Boating:  The park provides water access in two locations for the public to launch car top boats into the Hudson River. Motorized boats are prohibited.

 If you go check out the link below to find out if there are any upcoming events or anything that might change your visit to the park.

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https://www.orangecountygov.com/1478/Kowawese-Unique-Area-at-Plum-Point