Patterson Town Hall
1142 Route 311
Patterson, NY 12563
845-878-6500
The Great Swamp is over 6,000 acres of freshwater wetlands, 20 miles in length, stretching from Dover to the north, and south through Pawling, Patterson and Southeast. The Swamp feeds the East Branch Croton Reservoir and filters its drinking water, while also recharging the aquifers that supply water for the many private wells in Patterson. The Swamp also provides flood control, and is a wildlife habitat for many animals such as migratory birds and painted turtles. One hundred eighty-five species of birds have been identified in the Great Swamp, and 90 species are known to nest in the Swamp. Most of the swamp is Red Maple Hardwood. The portion of the Swamp that is in Patterson offers opportunities for recreation, including canoeing during the warmer months, and cross country skiing and hiking during the colder months. The Swamp is 90% privately owned. Because of the sensitive nature of the Great Swamp area, advocacy groups such as Friends of the Great Swamp (FrOGS) have become active in educating the public about the need to preserve and protect the Swamp.
