ALBANY - The Hudson River Valley Greenway announced the designation of two sites and the award of three grants to expand and improve the Hudson River Greenway Water Trail at a recent Greenway Board meeting.  This brings the total number of Greenway Water Trail sites to ninety. 

The newly designated sites are:  Riverfront Park in the City of Rensselaer, Rensselaer County and West Harlem Piers Park in Manhattan.

Over $48,000 in Water Trail matching grants were awarded.    Grant recipients include: the Town of Halfmoon, Saratoga County in the amount of $35,000 to construct docking facilities and provide a kayak rack and gear locker at Hudson River Waterfront Park; the Town of Coeymans, Greene County in the amount of $11,750 to replace their existing deteriorated docks at their boat launch site; and Peebles Island State Park, Town of Waterford, Saratoga County and City of Cohoes, Albany County in the amount of $1,584 to repair docking facilities broken during a flood event last boating season.

Mark Castiglione, Greenway Acting Executive Director said, “The success of the Water Trail is a function of the commitment of our partners. Whether it’s creating new public access points, improving existing public access or stepping in to help ensure critical access continues, the Greenway is proud to work with our partners to make the Water Trail an even bigger success.  We’re pleased to accept these new designations and to provide these grant funds for these projects.”

West Harlem Piers Park is the ninth site in Manhattan designated as part of the Water Trail.  The site provides a needed access point in Harlem and is part of a larger park that connects the northern-most part of Manhattan to the Battery. 

 “With the new West Harlem Piers Park designated as part of the Hudson River Greenway Water Trail, New Yorkers have more opportunities than ever to see their hometowns from the water and experience its marine wildlife. New York City alone offers 38 launches for canoes and kayaks,” said Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski. “Thanks to PlaNYC, Mayor Bloomberg’s far-reaching plan to fight global warming and create a more livable city and the New York State’s Hudson River Greenway, we are reconnecting New Yorkers to the City’s waterfront.”

Riverfront Park is the second water trail site designated in the City of Rensselaer, joining Forbes Avenue Park.  The site will be used primarily as a launch and day use area by paddlers.