Devil's Kitchen - Push for DEC signs

[kkayaker8]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that the private land owner owned the meadow and perhaps into the trees a tad near hells hole, or the right side of the bridge. I am also under the impression that DEC owns the land that has bridal veil falls lookout, and the access to the swimming holes, not to mention hells hole itself. If this is the case, then aren't we being a bit harsh on the land owner? His property has posted signs up if this is the case.

[kristoon]

The area where my father and Olivia Belfiglio fell does not have any signs at all.
I don't understand what the harm is in putting up signs and how is this "being harsh" to the land owner?

[kkayaker8]

I was meaning to say that I believe it is being harsh on the private land owner if in fact these falls and unfortunate deaths have not happened on his land, but on the DEC or state owned land. He has no control over where people go on land next to his. But again, this is assuming that his land is where I think it is (see above post), which I am not sure about and questioning.

[mike]

The meadow and Bridal Veil Falls Lookout is privately owned. The strip of land in between the two is owned by the DEC. The strip of land includes Hell's Hole and Hell's Hole Creek. The DEC also owns the land just to the right of the arch bridge where there are trees, but not into the meadow.

The private land and the DEC land was marked with signs. But, just before all the accidents, someone tore down the No Trespassing signs to Bridal Veil Falls Lookout. There were signs at the small parking area. After they were tore down, everyone started to going where they wanted to.

[kkayaker8]

One more clarification.....when it's said "private land owner" are we talking about the CCCD? or literally a private land owner - aka a person, private land, no one can go on it, trespassing?

[mike]

No, I mean a private individual. Not the Catskill Center. Right now, nothing is posted except for the Catskill Center Preserve. People are still going down to the Bridal Veil Falls Lookout.

[kkayaker8]

Thanks, I looked at some maps and saw this too. I was shown this spot 3 years ago, and there weren't any posted signs then either though, so I'm not too sure how new that is. I figured it was DEC land since we just went there and saw no signs.