Wallkill, Town of
Wallkill honors its historic past
Wallkill is one of the most populated towns in Orange County, New York, and consists of nearly two-dozen villages and hamlets. The town boasts of plenty of neighborhood choices in which to raise a family, and the area is recognized for its history, having been a main source of gun powder production during the American Revolution. The 1960s Woodstock Festival held in Bethel, New York, originally was planned for Wallkill, but town officials declined the event because of zoning and logistic concerns.
Public parks, including Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge and Awosting Reserve, give families great opportunities to see local animals and bird watch. Outdoor activities include playgrounds, picnic areas, boating, swimming, ball fields, hiking and winter sports. Orchards offer apple and pear picking.
The Orange County Fair is held in Walkill each summer and festivals and celebrations are held in the town and surrounding areas year-round. There’s always something going on for families to have fun.
The nearby Galleria at Crystal Run mall is a popular shopping destination because of its great size and variety of stores, including options for household goods, technology, entertainment, kids and fashion. The mall also has places to entertain kids and teens, such as a Build-a-Bear Workshop, trampoline park, a large indoor playground, escape rooms, laser tag and bowling, in addition to a movie theater, restaurants, food courts and a day spa.
Wallkill’s Watchtower Farms is operated by the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Once a traditional working farm that fed thousands for decades, the site now house’s the religion’s branch offices and print facility, where thousands of pages of Jehovah’s Witnesses’ material are printed daily, including bibles. There’s also a cemetery on the property.