Funding to support community planning, public access, and trail projects
Three Hudson Valley communities received a total of $22,500 in matching grants for community development, park planning, and trail enhancements, the Hudson River Valley Greenway announced today.
“The Greenway is pleased to provide grant funds to support these important community projects,” said Mark Castiglione, Acting Executive Director of the Hudson River Valley Greenway. “We applaud these communities for investing in town planning, trail development, and recreational amenities. These projects highlight the connection between environmental values and economic development, and resonate with New York State’s initiatives to build more resilient and sustainable communities.”
The Hudson River Valley Greenway Grant Program provides funding to municipalities for projects that connect with one or more Greenway’s five goals of natural and cultural resource protection, heritage and environmental education, public access to the Hudson River, economic development, and regional planning. Special consideration is given to regional or intermunicipal projects. The application deadline for the next grant round is February 18, 2016. Applications and guidelines are available here.
The projects that will be supported by the Hudson River Valley Greenway Grant Program include:
- $5,000 to the City of Troy, Rensselaer County, for the enhancement of the underutilized Uncle Sam Trail with access points, wayfinding, and trail crossing improvements. The project will involve several community partners as well as provide a greater regional and Hudson River link through other future projects.
- $10,000 to the Town of Saugerties, Ulster County, for a feasibility study focused on improving recreational access to the undeveloped 165 acre Bristol Beach State Park. The study will evaluate how to establish public access to the park and its mile-long Hudson River shoreline.
- $7,500 to the Town of Wawayanda, Orange County, for a comprehensive plan update. The update to Wawayanda’s 2006 comprehensive plan will continue to outline visions, policies and recommendations for the planning of this historic Hudson Valley community.
The Hudson River Valley Greenway is a unique state-sponsored program established by the Greenway Act of 1991. Presently, 84% of eligible municipalities within the Greenway area have joined the Greenway. The program is designed to encourage communities to develop projects and initiatives related to the criteria of natural and cultural resource protection, regional planning,economic development, public access to the Hudson River (as well as other regional and local resources), and heritage and environmental education. It provides technical assistance and small grants for planning, water trail and land-based trails and other projects that reinforce the Greenway Criteria. 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.
