DOVER PLAINS — Dover Plains resident Thomas Whalen has reached a final settlement with the town to permanently restore public access to the Dover Stone Church hiking trail.
Whalen, who owns the property containing the only entrance to the trail, barred hikers from his land in March 2026 amid a dispute with the town over maintenance costs and safety. The closure came after the town’s license to use the trailhead — granted under a September 2024 settlement agreement, which also included a financial settlement — lapsed in October 2025 without being renewed.
The Town of Dover has now paid Whalen $200,000 total since 2024 to resolve the matter.
The new agreement is more permanent, guaranteeing the right of way indefinitely unless the town establishes another public access to the Stone Church. If that happens, Whalen said, his access point would revert to private property.
Hikers may now return to the geological landmark after the town agreed to perpetually maintain the trailhead.
The trail’s only public entrance crosses over Whalen’s property on Route 22 across from the Dover Elementary School and Freshco 22 Plaza.
Dover Town Supervisor Rich Yeno confirmed the news in a statement posted online.
“The sign is down and the entryway to the public is open once again,” Yeno said on Facebook. “I have to thank all who were involved over this very long negotiation period.”
Whalen posted signs and blocked access to the trail in April 2026 after he said the town wasn’t abiding by an agreement to maintain the trailhead and improve safety and aesthetics. He initiated a legal battle in 2018 seeking to require the town to insure and maintain the portion of the trail that crosses his land. That includes snow and ice removal, and the replacement of gravel as necessary.
Whalen’s petition was originally rejected by Dutchess County Supreme Court judges in May 2021. He then appealed the suit, resulting in an April 2024 reversal followed by a settlement approved by the Dover Town Board at their Sept. 25, 2024, meeting.
The 2024 settlement marked a year-long agreement granting public access to the trail over Whalen’s property.
With town officials agreeing to fulfill the settlement, Whalen now plans to spend time creating a peaceful and aesthetic environment at the site’s entryway. “I’m very pleased that this matter can finally be called settled,” Whalen said. “I definitely want to make the entrance a pleasing pastoral setting.”
The Stone Church is one of Dover’s most well-known historical landmarks, with hiking trails, open fields and a 30-foot waterfall inside a cave that resembles a cathedral made of rocks. The site has been a public preserve since 2004, and has been named one of the Hudson Valley’s top-10 natural attractions by Scenic Hudson.
The popular site is located near the Dover Plains Station of Metro-North’s Harlem Line.
Additional reporting provided by Graham Corrigan.
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