WELCOME TO FRIENDLY ACRES
Friendly Acres is a community of people with a variety of occupations and pastimes, including professionals, artists, musicians, teachers and more. We're a diverse group of people who have come together as neighbors in the Hudson River Valley area. We have 8 individual houses and we share ownership of 8 acres of land.
Friendly Acres is just a few miles from Minnewaska State Park and the Mohonk Nature Preserve. Our community can be found in Kerhonkson, N.Y., just off Route 44/55 and about 3 miles from Route 209. We are about a 20 minute drive from New Paltz, Rosendale and Stone Ridge and about 40 minutes from Kingston. We are just over 100 miles from NYC.
Friendly Acres is just a few miles from Minnewaska State Park and the Mohonk Nature Preserve. Our community can be found in Kerhonkson, N.Y., just off Route 44/55 and about 3 miles from Route 209. We are about a 20 minute drive from New Paltz, Rosendale and Stone Ridge and about 40 minutes from Kingston. We are just over 100 miles from NYC.
NATURE'S BEAUTY NEARBY
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Minnewaska State Park Preserve is only a few miles away, and is situated on the Shawangunk Mountain ridge, which rises more than 2,000 feet above sea level and is surrounded by rugged, rocky terrain. The park features numerous waterfalls, three crystalline sky lakes, dense hardwood forests, incising sheer cliffs and ledges opening to beautiful views, clear streams cut into valleys, world-class rock climbing and 35 miles of carriageways and 25 miles of footpaths on which to bike, walk, hike and simply enjoy.
Mohonk Preserve
Mohonk Preserve, also nearby, has over 7,500 acres of mountain ridges, forests, fields, streams, ponds, and other unique and beautiful places. As New York's largest nonprofit nature preserve. At the Preserve, you can enjoy scenic beauty, outdoor activities, and peace and quiet, all just 90 miles from New York City. Our carriage roads and trails are perfect for hiking, running, mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. We're also the home of "Gunks" climbing and bouldering, and one of the most visited climbing destinations in North America
Festive Communal Pergola.Shown below in action with residents of Friendly Circle.
We Love Food and Flowers:
COMMUNITY STRUCTURE
We each own our own homes but we are all part owners of the 8 acres of land surrounding us. We have separate mortgages for our houses. We are set up as a Home Owners Association, with three owners at any given time forming the Board. (President, Vice President and Treasurer). Typically they have been filled by owners that live here as a primary residence.
HISTORY
These homes were at one time summer bungalows from the late 1950’s, and they have been updated and renovated for year round use with modernized heating, plumbing and electric. As a home owners association, we have existed since 1999.
WHAT DO WE SHARE?
We share so many resources. You won’t need to buy a lawnmower, a ladder, an outdoor table, a gazebo. All expenses related to the common property are paid for. We pay a monthly $300 maintenance fee per household which covers: casualty insurance for each house, taxes on common land, septic maintenance, maintenance of our community well system, lawn mowing, snow plowing, landscaping, trash & recycling costs, expenses related to storm damage, purchase of communal furniture, capital improvements, tips for everyone at Christmas and even wifi!
There is a natural sharing that goes on in addition, just in a regular neighborly manner--everything from BBQ grills to microphones to wi-fi signals to camping tents. You can always find someone who'll lend a helping hand.
There is a natural sharing that goes on in addition, just in a regular neighborly manner--everything from BBQ grills to microphones to wi-fi signals to camping tents. You can always find someone who'll lend a helping hand.
GARDEN
We share a 30 x 60 ft fenced in organic garden. We work together, as different schedules permit, to maintain this magnificent treasure. Crops include tomatoes, several kinds of beans, eggplant, brussell sprouts, several varieties of peppers, carrots, cabbage, lettuce, kale, bok choi, mint, basil, dill, parsley, squash, zucchini potatoes and more.
In 2016 we installed an irrigation system, making watering a very simple operation during the hot months. Water is run from cottage #3 , and a shed by the garden houses all the supplies.
On the property and there are several areas for fruit and nut tree orchards to be established. The only cost to those interested in starting these projects would be the work needed.
In 2016 we installed an irrigation system, making watering a very simple operation during the hot months. Water is run from cottage #3 , and a shed by the garden houses all the supplies.
On the property and there are several areas for fruit and nut tree orchards to be established. The only cost to those interested in starting these projects would be the work needed.
COMMUNITY
Friendly Acres is basically a co-op in the country, but without the legal parameters of a co-op. We are a diverse group of people who share land and have private houses on that land. The vision that we share is simply that everyone respects what it takes to keep up the value of our properties and maintain our quality of life. There must be clear communication between the absentee owners and the resident owners. We appreciate knowing if friends will be using the house in your absence. Monthly dues must be paid on time. The exterior of each house must be well kept, no garbage lingering outside, etc.
LAWNS
We have a dedicated fire pit area and large lawns that are mowed in the summertime that can be used for all kinds of activities. They can be allocated for planting fruit and nut trees, or creating an English garden, or a second organic vegetable garden, or any number of useful ideas.
GAZEBO and Grounds
RELAX on the chaise lounge!
WOODS AND WATER
Our property borders the Stony Kill Creek and there's a small stream that runs through the property. Bring your fishing rod to catch some small trout or give the dog or your feet a cool break on a warm summer afternoon. A good portion of our land is wooded and it's a nice way to "get away from it all" that's just a few steps away from your home.
One thing we can't show you is the quiet. We're not close to any busy roadway or many other houses, so it's the perfect place to spend some time with a favorite book, take a hike, or just enjoy the peacefulness of the country.
One thing we can't show you is the quiet. We're not close to any busy roadway or many other houses, so it's the perfect place to spend some time with a favorite book, take a hike, or just enjoy the peacefulness of the country.
COMMUNAL REC ROOM AND STORAGE
We have a communal party space in the barn! The building currently does not have electric/ heat/ water but
we are considering making it a year round structure. Meanwhile, in the spring/ summer and fall it is a great place a workout, for candlelit music evenings or just to have some quiet downtime. The back of the structure looks right onto our woods. It also serves a storage. Each owner has a private storage space, measuring 5.5 ft by 7.5 ft. and plenty of vertical space. We have a shed for garden supplies, a weed whacker, bicycle storage, etc.
we are considering making it a year round structure. Meanwhile, in the spring/ summer and fall it is a great place a workout, for candlelit music evenings or just to have some quiet downtime. The back of the structure looks right onto our woods. It also serves a storage. Each owner has a private storage space, measuring 5.5 ft by 7.5 ft. and plenty of vertical space. We have a shed for garden supplies, a weed whacker, bicycle storage, etc.
Sunrise in the winter
PETS
Recently we amended our policy regarding dogs. We no longer allow dogs for renters, and home owners who have dogs must agree to certain parameters. Dogs may not run freely in the center lawn, which is a permanent dog free zone, and they must be leashed when anywhere near the houses or driveway.
WORK HOURS
For owners only-- not renters, unless by special arrangement with the owner:
We have a system that enables us to share the workload needed to run the property equitably. We all contribute 40 hours a year. Those who cannot do their work hours can instead pay $20 per each hour. So, if a given household contributes no work hours all year, the total would be $800 to the Association. We keep track of the hours we worked and what tasks we undertook all year and report at the yearly meeting.
Common tasks include: determining the need for, negotiating and supervising work done on the property, work in the garden, turning the compost, doing the treasury (writes all the checks for work done on the premises, collects fees, presents spending reports, handles the checkbook and tax returns,) purchasing and setting up any capital improvements like the gazebo, making sure storm damage like dead tree limbs are removed. There is a consensus about what work needs to be done and constitutes legitimate hours, and if there is any confusion we simply bring it up with the board before the work is done. It must be something that needs doing for the good of the community.