The Hudson River Valley Greenway and National Heritage Area announced today a suite of tools that will make it easier for residents and tourists to explore the Hudson River from the Adirondack Park to New York City. They include a new Hudson River Greenway Water Trail Four-Map/Guide Set, a new mobile responsive website, and the latest edition of The Hudson River Greenway Water Trail Guide. Water Trail enthusiasts were joined at Kingston Point Beach by Kingston Mayor Steve Noble and other dignitaries for the announcement. The announcement was followed by a paddle led by Mayor Noble on the Hudson River and Rondout Creek.
New Water Trail Map/Guides
The new Hudson River Greenway Water Trail Map/Guides provide detailed information on the more than 100 water trail access points along the 256-mile water trail and make it easy for kayakers to plan excursions. The four-map set includes the Adirondack-Champlain Region, Saratoga- Albany Region, Kingston-Poughkeepsie Region, and Beacon- New York City Region. Each waterproof and tear-resistant map/guide also highlights the history and environmental resources unique to each region as well as important kayaker safety information. Water Trail Map-Guides are available for sale as a set or individually from the Hudson River Greenway Water Trail website or at many kayak outfitters throughout the Hudson Valley. Digital copies are also available for free download.
New Water Trail Website
The new Hudson River Greenway Water Trail website, HudsonRiverGreenwayWaterTrail.org is the first comprehensive mobile responsive water trail trip planning website in the state. The website complements the map/guides and makes it even easier for residents and tourists to plan their Hudson River paddling adventures. The itinerary builder facilitates planning multi-day River explorations and the mobile responsive design makes it easy for users to find river access points and outfitters on the go.
The website and map design were supported by a $90,000 Market NY grant through Empire State Development’s Division of Tourism, I Love NY, to enhance the promotion of recreation and tourism along the Hudson River and in the National Heritage Area.
New Hudson River Greenway Water Trail Guide
The Hudson River Greenway Water Trail Guide is a more in-depth resource for the serious paddler and a must have for anyone planning day trips or overnight excursions. The completely updated guide is the most detailed and comprehensive “road map” to the Hudson River Greenway Water Trail. In addition to detailing access points, the 240-page guide provides useful navigation charts, and even more detailed exploration of the ecology, environmental resources, and cultural and natural history of the Hudson River and its valley. First published in 1993, the Hudson River Greenway Water Trail Guide was written by the late New York University professor Ian H. Giddy. This most recent update was coauthored by Scott Keller, trails and special projects director at the Hudson River Valley Greenway and an avid kayaker. The Guide is available for purchase at the Hudson River Watertrail Association website. For more information, please visit the HRWA at www.hrwa.org.
Mark Castiglione, acting Executive Director of the Hudson River Valley Greenway and National Heritage Area said, “The Hudson River is a tremendous asset for communities and is a significant draw for tourists. The new Hudson River Greenway Water Trail guide, maps, and website will inspire more people to experience the Hudson River and appreciate its beauty.”
Commissioner Rose Harvey, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, said, “The Hudson River Greenway Water Trail is a tremendous recreational resource that connects people and communities and these new maps and website will enhance that connection. OPRHP looks forward to a continued partnership with the Greenway to link together our parks, our historic sites, to our great Hudson River. In so doing, we will strengthen the Hudson Valley’s economy and quality of life.”
“Empire State Development is proud to support the new Hudson River Greenway Water Trail maps and mobile website through the Market NY grant program,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky. “Thanks to New York State’s continued investment in tourism, we are able to connect travelers with the state’s diverse outdoor tourism assets and build awareness of the Hudson Valley water trail to increase eco-tourism.”
“The Hudson River is one of the single most important assets we have access to in our region,” said City of Kingston Mayor Steve Noble. “These new maps and website will assist us in connecting even more residents and visitors to our waterways and to the great cities like Kingston that border them. As both the Mayor of Kingston and an avid kayaker, I am pleased to see such innovative investment into promoting the usage of this premier tourism resource.”
Ned Sullivan, President of Scenic Hudson, said, “The Hudson River Greenway Water Trail is a pathway to the valley’s future prosperity, and these new maps and website will make the water trail an even stronger catalyst for revitalizing waterfronts, spurring economic opportunity and jobs, and enhancing our $4.7 billion tourism industry. I know from my own paddling experience that the Water Trail, including stops in several Scenic Hudson parks, provides thrilling opportunities to connect with the valley’s world-class natural treasures, both in the river and along the shore. I look forward to new adventures as we continue to expand it.”
Ira Rosenfeld, Hudson River Watertrail Association board member stated, “One of New York State’s many hidden treasures, the Hudson River Greenway Water Trail, can be easily accessed at nearly 100 public access points. Access was once only available at a very few poorly maintained sites. The state has helped to avail the river’s beauty to all its visitors. Whether it's urban or rural the Hudson River Greenway Water Trail’s 256 mile length has it all. A perfect water trail that provides single or multi-day adventures for all skill levels, and these resources will help more people have those adventures.”
“Something incredible happens when you bring your eyes to water level and experience the wonder of the Hudson's fish, birds and landscapes from a small boat,” said Dan Shapley, Water Quality Program Manager for Riverkeeper. “Another advocate for the river's health is made every time someone dips a paddle in the water, and we hope many people take advantage of these new resources to do just that.”
The 256-mile Hudson River Greenway Water Trail extends from the Adirondack Park and Lake Champlain to Manhattan. It was designated a National Water Trail by the Department of Interior in 2012. The water trail includes more than 100 designated public access sites every 10 miles or less along both shores of the river, and overnight campsites every 15 miles or less. Various state agencies, local and county governments, numerous not for profit and private sector partners throughout the valley have all worked to create public access for the Hudson River Greenway Water Trail. The following Water Trail partners have facilitated and funded the development of Hudson River access sites: the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Hudson River Estuary Program, New York State Department of State, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the National Park Service, and Scenic Hudson. A total of 71 riverfront communities have also been integral in the development of new public access sites and the growth of water trail.
The Hudson River Valley Greenway is a unique state-sponsored program established by the Greenway Act of 1991. More than 84% of municipalities within the Greenway area have designated themselves as “Greenway Communities.” The program is designed to encourage projects and initiatives related to the intersecting goals of natural and cultural resource protection, regional planning, economic development, public access, and heritage and environmental education. It provides technical assistance and catalytic grant funding for planning, water and land trails, and other projects that reinforce these goals. In keeping with the New York tradition of home rule, the Greenway program has no regulatory authority and participation by municipalities in Greenway programs and projects is entirely voluntary. The Greenway also manages the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area in partnership with the National Park Service.
