Yorktown and Cortlandt region

Scenic Hudson announced an award it received to help complete a waterfront park in Peekskill. In 1998, Scenic Hudson purchased the 4.7-acre site and then entered into a co-ownership agreement with Peekskill to convert the former industrial site, adjacent to Riverfront Green, into a public park. The estimated cost of the project is $4 million, Ruggiero said. Peekskill was awarded a $450,000 matching grant from the state Department of State to build a pier, trail and other park amenities.

Read more from Scenic Hudson on this latest award:

Scenic Hudson has been awarded $15,000 from the Westchester Community Foundation (WCF) to work with the City of Peekskill to transform a former industrial site along the Hudson into a waterfront park that will be a community hub for recreation, relaxation and other enjoyment of the river. Due to be completed in 2012, Scenic Hudson Park at Peekskill Landing will enhance the city’s and Westchester County’s quality of life and community health while helping attract new businesses.

The WCF grant from the The Henry P. Kraft Memorial Fund will enable Scenic Hudson park planners to collaborate with elected officials, community leaders, residents and park construction companies to complete the new park, which will create another link in Westchester County’s RiverWalk. Work already has been completed to clean up industrial contamination at the site. When finished the park will feature a waterfront trail, boardwalk, lawn areas for picnicking and places for local artists to exhibit sculptures.

“The Community Foundation has provided critical support at an important time. Parks provide people places to experience recreation and relaxation at no cost. The park will contribute to a Westchester County tourism industry that is responsible for $1.6 billion in annual visitor spending and nearly 23,000 jobs,” said Ned Sullivan, president of Scenic Hudson. “Business leaders in surveys rank parkland and open space as leading factors in choosing an area to locate a business because outdoor amenities attract high-quality employees. The park will make Peekskill and Westchester County ever-greater places to live and do business.”

Catherine J. Marsh, executive director of the Westchester Community Foundation, highlighted the benefits her organization’s grant and the new park will bring to residents. “Westchester’s riverfront communities can be a necklace of highly livable neighborhoods with a balance of development and natural areas where people can experience the Hudson and the unique heritage of our region. Scenic Hudson has a proven track record as a convener of various partners and a catalyst for turning shared visions into reality.”

“Westchester Community Foundation’s support of Scenic Hudson is important to our city. The foundation’s grant will help Scenic Hudson bring resources to bear in partnering with city staff to create a great park that reflects community input and furthers Peekskill’s waterfront and heritage tourism strategy,” said City of Peekskill Mayor Mary F. Foster.

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