The way in to historic Pratt Rock Park passes parallel to the Schoharie Creek and State Route 23, heading west toward the center of Prattsville. Created between 1842 to 1862, the early 19th Century pleasure park includes Far Eastern terraced gardening influenced by town founder Zadock Pratt’s visit to Korea in the late 1830s.
It was initially conceived as a final resting place for town founder Zadock Pratt, becoming instead Pratt Rock Park, listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and known as “Mount Rushmore of the East.” The site has mountainside carvings of Pratt and other symbols of his life, also serving as what is considered the first Civil War Memorial, dedicated in honor of Pratt’s son, George Watson Pratt, who died as the result of wounds suffered at the First Battle of Bull Run.
Pratt Rock Park paths, overgrown through the years, are now easier to find, wider to follow, softer underfoot and ever-so-slightly less steep, making the journey to the top even pleasanter than in the past. The trail-clearings complete Part I of a multi-phased preservation project.
By Michael Ryan
PRATTSVILLE - A mystical connection is manifesting physically at remarkable Pratt Rock Park in the town of Prattsville.
Part One of a multi-phased preservation effort was recently completed at the Park, created between 1842-62, originally planned as a final resting spot for town founder Zadock Pratt.
That plan did not come to fruition for geological reasons, serendipitously becoming what is believed to be the first Civil War memorial.
It honors Zadock Pratt’s son, George Watson Pratt, who died from wounds suffered at the First Battle of Bull Run, forevermore remembered at Pratt Rock Park and resulting in a twofold interrelation.
George Watson Pratt was carried from the Bull Run battlefield by three comrades, including an ancestor of Michael Van Valkenburgh.
Michael Van Valkenburgh, 100 years later, was born and raised in the town of Lexington, next to Prattsville, playing at Pratt Rock Park in his youth.
He has gone on to establish an international landscape architecture firm and his company, through a series of fortuitous circumstances, is now working with the town of Prattsville.
Doing what they do best, Van Valkenburgh Associates is conserving the spirit and body of the Park including a series of walking paths.
Those trails circuitously lead to the top, where a breath-taking view of the Schoharie Valley and 200-year-old stone carvings await, earning the respected title “Mount Rushmore of the East.”
“We have been able to reroute the paths so they are wider, softer to walk on and a little less steep,” town supervisor Greg Cross says.
Stone benches have been shored up and erosion controls implemented, touching only what needed touching, not wanting to disrupt the timelessness of Pratt Rock Park.
Locally-based Evergreen Construction performed the job, with more elements unfolding as funds are raised, an ongoing endeavor.
“A lot of credit goes to Mason for getting this over the finish line,” Cross says of town councilman Mason Chase.
“He’s been involved almost day-to-day and we thank him for that effort,” Cross says, noting Mason is the son of former councilwoman Bonnie Chase and grandson of former town supervisor Phyllis Raeder.
Mason Chase, like Van Valkenburgh, climbed the Pratt Rock Park paths in his youth. “I look back on those days fondly,” Chase says.
“I remember getting lost in the woods once. I figured out pretty fast that going downhill had to be the right way home,” Mason says, smiling.
“As kids, my friends and I spent a lot of time there. I still do. I just want to see this get done,” Mason says, joining a dedicated group of supporters.
That group includes former town historian Carolyn Bennett (who got the preservation ball rolling), the late Kristin Tompkins (onetime town supervisor) and local business owner John Young.
Also involved have been Mason’s mom, consultant Steve Whitesell and benefactors Nicholas Juried and the Greene County Legislature.
“Pratt Rock and the museum are the bread and butter of our town,” Cross says, also referring to the Pratt Museum, longtime home of Zadock Pratt.
And the Park is just Step One of something bigger, someday evolving into a network of walkways interconnecting Pratt Rock Park with the center of the community, stretching out to Huntersfield and Devasego Falls.
“These landmarks draw many people to our town,” Cross says. “We look forward to passing them onto the next generations.”
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