Governor Hochul Announces $1.85 Million Construction of Flood Resiliency Project on Hudson River

Governor Kathy Hochul announced today that construction has started on a $1.85 million resiliency project for Dockside Park in the village of Cold Spring to help this community better withstand severe storms and future flooding on the Hudson River.

"We have seen how extreme weather due to climate change can wreak unimaginable havoc and devastate communities. This is why it's important that we invest in projects that will prevent flooding and protect homes and businesses," Governor Hochul said. "Climate change is no longer a threat, it is our reality. The future will bring higher water levels on the Hudson and this project incorporates natural mitigation efforts that will give Dockside Park a more sustainable shoreline to better withstand currents, waves, and ice, as well as encouraging native species that live along this vital river. We will work hard on preventative measures like this whenever possible."

The 26-acre park is owned by State Parks as part of the nearby Hudson Highlands State Park but is managed by the village of Cold Spring. The village holds various annual events there, including fireworks, concerts, movies, and children's activities. The park has been hit previously by flooding, including Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

To stabilize and create a sustainable shoreline, the joint Parks-DEC project includes removing existing riprap, concrete slabs, and wrack from the shoreline; grading the shoreline and installing bank stabilization features including boulder revetments, toe treatments, ice breaker boulders, and native vegetation. In addition, a boat ramp for non-motorized, car-top boats and other recreational amenities will be installed at the north end of the park. Native wetland and upland plantings will provide improved habitat and additional erosion reduction.

The shoreline is used by resident and migratory fishes as well as migratory perching birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects. Small, forage fish species such as killifish and mummichog as well as migrating juvenile herring and shad occupy vegetated shallows along the shoreline.

Parks Commissioner Kulleseid said, "The combination of rock and vegetation slopes are intended to stabilize the bank during high water and storms. These slopes also will allow shallow and intertidal areas, which are important habitats in the Hudson, to expand upward as sea level rises over the next several decades and beyond."

DEC Commissioner Seggos said, "DEC is proud to work with our partners at State Parks on a collaborative effort to enhance 750 feet of Hudson River shoreline at Dockside Park. Once completed, this park will be a model for sustainable shoreline projects on the Hudson River, demonstrating Governor Hochul's commitment to implementing ecological, recreational, and floodplain improvements that increase community resiliency against severe storms and high waters driven by our changing climate."

Cold Spring Mayor Kathleen Foley said, "There is no avoiding the realities of increasingly intense storms and sea level rise in Hudson River communities like ours. Planning for inundation at our waterfront is essential. A project like the Dockside shoreline stabilization is well beyond the scope of our local budget. The State's partnership makes this much-needed work possible, and will add amenities that expand recreational access to our magnificent waterfront for residents and visitors alike."

Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell said, "Having a protected Hudson River waterfront will not only work to keep the village and its residents safe in a changing climate, a more resilient Dockside Park will be a boon to tourism. We are grateful to Governor Hochul for her support of one of Putnam County's most beautiful vistas."

State Parks is supporting the work with $1.4 million from the Environmental Protection Fund, while DEC is providing $418,000 in Habitat Mitigation Funding. Coyle Industries Inc., of Fishkill, is the general contractor.

Work is expected to be completed in September 2022. Plans call for work to be coordinated so that the park can remain open as much as possible, although work-related closures at certain times are possible.

The project design accommodates the planned 7.5-mile Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail along the river's edge from Cold Spring to Beacon.

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 individual parks, historic sites, recreational trails, and boat launches, which were visited by a record 78 million people in 2020. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit www.parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer mobile app or call 518.474.0456. Also, connect on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.