Wallkill Valley Rail Trail Crossing on Routes 44/55
The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail begins in southern Gardiner and runs along the abandoned Wallkill Valley Railroad rail corridor to New Paltz. Majestic Park is off Farmer's Turnpike, and features a skate park, playground, gazebo, and covered picnic area as well as three barbecue grills. It also has a baseball diamond, basketball, and handball courts.
The Phillies Bridge Farm Project has a longstanding history in the area, being the oldest working farm in New York state. It is farmed using a community-supported agriculture model, and the nonprofit mission is expressed largely through food-justice initiatives.
Rev. James Mee was pastor of St. James Church in Milton. He also attended missions in Marlboro and Ireland Corners (an early name for Gardiner). In 1884 this was made a separate mission with Wallkill and New Paltz attached under the care of an English priest, Rev. Charles Browne. The Church of St. Charles Borromeo was dedicated at Gardiner. In 1886 Rev. Joseph L. Hoey was named pastor.[8]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 44.9 square miles (116 km2), of which 44.4 square miles (115 km2) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2) is water.
The Wallkill River flows from south to north through the center of the town. The Shawangunk Mountains are partly in the western part of the town.
At the time of the 2000 census, there were 5,238 people, 1,997 households, and 1,389 families residing in the town. The population density was 118.0 inhabitants per square mile (45.6/km2). There were 2,255 housing units at an average density of 50.8 per square mile (19.6/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 94.35% white, 1.76% black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.11% from other races, and 1.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.58% of the population.[15]
There were 1,997 households, out of which 36.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.1% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.07.[15]
In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.1 males.[15]
The median income for a household in the town was $54,432, and the median income for a family was $62,750. Males had a median income of $40,964 versus $29,474 for females. The per capita income for the town was $25,091. About 4.7% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.5% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.[15]
Communities and locations in Gardiner
Benton Corners – a hamlet west of Gardiner village on Routes 44 and 55.
Forest Glen – a hamlet in the northern part of the town, west of Jenkinstown.
Ganahgot – a hamlet west of Gardiner village, Tuthill and the Wallkill River. The Shawangunk Kill joins the Wallkill River near this community.
Gardiner – a hamlet located at the junctions of Routes 19 and 44-55.
Ireland Corners – a hamlet east of Gardiner village at the junction of 44-55 and Route 208.
Jenkinstown – a hamlet in the northeastern part of the town near the town line.
Libertyville – a hamlet by the northern town line.
Rutsonville – a hamlet near the southern town line on Route 7.
Tuthill – a hamlet west of Gardiner village on Route 55, near the Wallkill River.
Wallkill Camp – a hamlet in the northern part of the town.
Sylvester, Nathaniel Bartlett (1880). History of Ulster County, New York, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers: Part Second: History of the Towns of Ulster County. Philadelphia, PA: Everts & Peck. ISBN978-1-55787-130-5.
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