JUST RELEASED! The 2021 Historic Steel Truss Bridges Cultural Resource Survey (CRS) has been completed and released to the public! The Final Plan can be found here and in the Historic Bridge CRS and Documents tabs.
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.
Get Involved
Public Input Map Help identify locations for improvement
Attend an event Share your opinions
Contact Form Leave a written comment
Historic Bridge CRS
The Cultural Resource Survey (CRS) Report, linked below, is a compilation of 12 Historic Bridges along the Hudson River that were selected as structures requiring immediate attention. The Report provides details, history, and recommendations on each bridge that can be consulted as efforts to preserve each bridge advances. The accompanying Multi-Step Plan will be posted in March 2021.
Public Input Map
Upcoming Events
Participate in the following events to offer input on what you would like to see.
No events here yet!
Past Events
See summaries, photos, and materials of past meetings on our blog.
Castleton-on-Hudson
Fire Department Community Room
11 Green Ave
Castleton-On-Hudson, NY 12033
January 3, 2020 | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Germantown
Kellner Activity Center
50 Palatine Park Road
Germantown, NY 12526
January 4, 2020 | 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Rhinebeck
Rhinebeck Town Hall
80 East Market Street
Rhinebeck, NY 12572
January 4, 2020 | 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
References
On the Wrong Side of the Railroad Tracks: Public Access to the Hudson River; Pace Environmental Law Review, Volume 13, Issue 2, Spring 1996. Matthew R. Atkinson.
Documents
As the process moves along, we will publish materials including public meeting presentations and display boards, draft plan elements, and the final plan document here on the website for your review.
Contact Us
If you have comments or questions about the project, let us know. Project staff check website feedback weekly and will respond to you soon.