Investigators treating fire that blocked New Windsor park access as possible arson
A structural engineer must first make sure the bridge to the park is safe.
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Plum Point Park off Route 9W is off-limits.
A structural engineer must first make sure the bridge to the park is safe.
Repairs might be necessary.
New Windsor town officials said a fire beneath the bridge early Saturday morning seems suspicious.
An investigation is underway.
For much of Tuesday, cars rolled up to the gate and then backed away.
"I'm very upset about it," said Maryann LaBarbera, who was planning to spend part of the afternoon with her fiance enjoying the park's views of the Hudon River. "I just hope it was an accident and not someone doing it purposely."
"It definitely was not something that just ignited itself," Town Supervisor Stephen Bedetti said during an interview in his office Tuesday morning.
Bedetti has always known the spot beneath the bridge by the railroad tracks to be a hangout for young people, passers-through and local homeless people.
Signs of criminal activity include paint cans and a gas container are scattered about the scene.
It is well hidden, and no cameras are pointed at it.
"Whoever did this thinks they got away with some little fire," Bedetti said, "and it cost a lot of man hours, volunteers, and the county now – it's going to cost them a lot of money for engineers to come look at it. Just senseless."
Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said Tuesday afternoon state investigators will inspect the bridge within the next 24 hours.
After that, he said, he will have a better idea of what repairs might be needed, how much they will cost the county, and when the bridge and park might reopen.
