Discerning the Advantages and Disadvantages of Warwick in New York
In the southern tip of Orange County, New York, lies the small town of Warwick, home to less than 32,000 residents and a median age of about 44. Nestled amidst the Hudson Highlands, Taconic mountains, and Appalachian mountains, Warwick offers a serene atmosphere, less than an hour away from the bustling city of New York.
The town's roads reflect the clouds with crystal clarity, mirroring the clear blue skies that fill with hawks and falcons during the spring. As one travels towards Bear mountain, the landscape transforms into a picturesque hilly landscape, where thousands of trees turn bright reds and oranges in autumn.
Warwick is virtually untouched by large corporations, with the nearest McDonald's, Burger King, Dunkin Donuts, and Walmart being several miles away from the village center. This rural town boasts a diverse food scene, with fantastic Italian restaurants, American restaurants serving Southern roast beef and mac and cheese, and popular delis and bodegas owned by Latin Americans.
However, Warwick's history and contemporary reality are not without blemishes. The town has a history of racism, including reported incidents such as a high school boy yelling "white power!", a cafe owner posting about Hitler being an "actually very good person", and swastikas being drawn outside a cemetery by white nationalist groups.
Acts of racism are still an unfortunate truth and problem in Warwick. The local newspaper reached out to minority students and families to encourage them to speak-up about their experiences. Beyond isolated reported incidents in the village center, publicly available data and reports do not provide extensive detailed information about the overall depth of racism in Warwick, New York as a whole.
Warwick's population is largely White, with racial minorities making up roughly 20% combined. The Warwick Reformed Church (WRC), a site of important religious practice for the Reformed Church in America, stands as a testament to the town's history and community. Erected in 1804 and rebuilt in 1979, the WRC maintains much of its original Romanesque style.
The Warwick Valley School District is making efforts to combat racism, with students marching in the village center in support of Black Lives Matter. Yet, the stigma surrounding Warwick's village is greater than that of its surrounding areas.
A visit to Warwick would not be complete without meeting Mr. Randy, an older resident who has lived in the town for over 30 years. His chicken coop, home to chickens that lay 8 eggs a day in total, is a testament to the town's rural charm. Mr. Randy's tree sapling, planted 30 years ago, is nearly 30 feet tall, a symbol of growth and resilience in Warwick.
Despite its challenges, Warwick has redeeming qualities that make it a place worth a road trip. From its natural wonders to its serene atmosphere and diverse food scene, Warwick offers a unique experience for visitors. However, it is essential to approach Warwick with an understanding of its complex history and ongoing issues, to fully appreciate its beauty and potential for growth.
[1] Demographic data source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warwick,_New_York [2] Racism in New York: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/05/nyregion/racism-new-york-city.html [3] Racial makeup of Warwick: https://datausa.io/profile/geo/warwick-ny [4] Racism in the United States: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/03/us/george-floyd-protests-racism.html [5] Racism in the world: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-52715778
- Warwick's cultural landscape encompasses a diverse range of food offerings, including Italian, Southern American, and Latin American cuisines, reflecting the various community influences within the town.
- Despite the serene atmosphere, Warwick has a history marred by incidents of racism, as seen in reported events such as hate speech and graffiti by white nationalist groups.
- The Warwick Valley School District, acknowledging the issues, is taking proactive steps to combat racism, with students rallying in support of Black Lives Matter.
- The Warwick Reformed Church, a historical site for the Reformed Church in America, stands as a symbol of the town's deep-rooted Christian heritage.
- News outlets have pointed out the pervasive problem of racism in New York State, with recent articles in general news, education, and self-development sections offering insight.
- Visitors to Warwick can immerse themselves in the local news and lifestyle, learning about the town's food-and-drink, fashion-and-beauty, home-and-garden, and travel experiences.
- In addition to exploring the outdoors and sampling the local cuisine, venture to meet Mr. Randy, a respected long-time resident known for his chicken coop and 30-foot tree sapling, symbolizing growth and resilience in Warwick.
