Town of Wappingers Falls   Distance to NYC: 76 miles Area: 27.28 square miles   Long before Henry Hudson sailed up the river the Wappingers area had a people and culture of its own. The Lenni Lenape Indians comprised of three sub-tribes were the inhabitants of the Hudson Valley. The sub-tribe Wappingers (or Wappani) occupied the land east of the Hudson River. The Wappingers lost their land to the Europeans in 1683, signing a contract giving land to Francis Rombout and Gulian Verplanck. The Verplanck family retained ownership of 756 acres until 1942 when the farm was donated to the state. It was given a deed restriction that the farm be forever used for “agricultural education” or be returned to the Verplanck family. This eventually became the Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center.   The Village of Wappingers Falls is the business center for the Town.   The area has become a desirable location with its rolling hills, scenic vistas, beautiful residential areas and convenience to major shopping, commuter routes and train stations.   The town is nestled in the Hudson River Valley, 90 minutes from New York City.   Educational Facilities The residents are served by the Wappingers Central School System,with ten Elementary Schools,Van Wyck and Wappingers Junior High Schools and John Jay and Roy C. Ketcham High Schools.   There are many private schools, religious schools, and colleges close by.   The Stony Kill Environmental Education Center teaches environmental awareness and appreciation of the natural world.   Recreational Facilities Carnwath Farms is a 99-acre Hudson River shoreline property owned by the town. This is open to the public for holidays and is dedicated to be a place of leisure, arts, culture and history for the people.   Schlathaus Park is host to free summer concerts, family fun nights, the annual community day and holiday tree lighting ceremony. There is a playground and picnic facilities.   Rockingham Park is home to the Wappingers Soccer Club. There is fishing in Sprout Creek. In the winter there is open ice skating and ice hockey on the pond. Reese Park is a natural park where the public can enjoy nature and is the centerpiece of the Wappingers Greenway Trail. The park is adjacent to a launch on the Wappingers Creek for canoes and kayaks.   Houses of Worship Include Catholic, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Hindu, Orthodox, Methodist, Baptist, Grace Bible and Christian Reformed. Most all other denominations are within the area.