Plum Point Park along Route 9W in New Windsor remains closed to the public at this time. The bridge leading into the park remains burned and damaged following a reported late night fire. The investigation into the incident has resulted in two arrests by the New Windsor Police Department.

New Windsor Police Chief Daniel Valeri shared on Monday, September 30 two arrests were made on Saturday, September 7, a week following the fire. Two juveniles, ages 12 and 15 and both from New Windsor, were arrested and charged.

Both juveniles were charged with arson in the fifth degree, a class A misdemeanor and criminal mischief in the second degree, a class D felony. Further research into these charges revealed a class A misdemeanor in New York State can be up to a year in jail while a class D felony can lead to up to seven years in state prison with additional fines on top.

On August 31, a brush fire had erupted near the entrance of the park, leading to the park and bridge’s temporary closure. The fire was reported to have been on or under the bridge with the Vails Gate Fire Department responding to the call and putting out the flames.

The reported brush fire broke out near the bridge that crosses into the park. The bridge crossing was originally replaced in the early 1970s when the property was owned by Windsor Building Supply Co. Its purpose was to transport gravel from Plum Point to various construction sites. Images from the site now show the support/base beams charred and burned.

New Windsor Supervisor Stephen Bedetti has said the bridge is still closed. A reopening date appears to be uncertain. Bedetti continued that it appears to him that the New York State Department of Conservation is the responsible party for the bridge and he would be in contact with the appropriate office to oversee the remediation.

A DEC representative shared on Tuesday, October 1 that the DEC owns, and the Orange County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation manages, the Kowawese Unique Area at Plum Point. The bridge provides public access to the DEC-owned lands that Orange County currently operates as a County Park. DEC is working with Orange County to review the bridge assessment recently conducted by the New York State Department of Transportation after the fire on Aug. 31, 2024.