Hudson River Access Plan

The 2020 Hudson River Access Plan: Poughkeepsie to Rensselaer has been completed and released to the public! Thank you to everyone for your participation and feedback. The Final Plan can be found here and on Scenic Hudson’s website

Protect the public’s right to access the Hudson River Shoreline!

People in Hudson Riverfront communities have long treasured places where they can fish, launch boats, birdwatch, hunt, take a walk or just sit and be inspired by the river’s majesty. Throughout the 20th century, the increase in railroad-created barriers to access on the eastern shoreline between Poughkeepsie and Rensselaer has offset benefits provided by the riverfront parks created by Scenic Hudson and others. The last comprehensive evaluation of river access along the rail corridor occurred in 1989. Hence, we believe that it is time for a 21st-century reassessment.

Local officials and residents in riverfront communities, along with Scenic Hudson, share deep concerns about any additional loss of public access at places where people have connected with the river for generations.

To provide a course of action that can be supported by river lovers and key stakeholders in Dutchess, Columbia and Rensselaer Counties, Scenic Hudson has engaged the Peter Melewski, LLC, consultant team* to draft a Hudson River Shoreline Access Plan. In addition to completing an updated documentation of places (formal and informal) where people currently enjoy water-related recreation, the plan will identify gaps in public access, recommend places for safe new shoreline access and suggest ways to improve safety at these locations.

You can help by providing your input about where and how you use the river and, more importantly, where and how you’d like to use the river in the future.

* The consultant team is comprised of Peter Melewski, LLC and sub-consultants Alta Planning + Design, and George Stafford.