On-Hudson.com

WestChester Hudson River Trail 51 Miles And Growing

http://planning.westchestergov.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1187&Itemid=2128

The Westchester RiverWalk is a planned 51.5-mile multi-faceted pathway paralleling the Hudson River in Westchester that links village centers, historic sites, parks and river access points via a connection of trails, esplanades and boardwalks. It spans 14 municipalities in Westchester and is part of the Hudson River Valley Greenway system. RiverWalk will be developed through a series of projects constructed by the county, local municipalities and other entities, including private developers.

 Nearly half of the Westchester RiverWalk route runs directly along the Hudson River shore. Remaining inland portions utilize the Old Croton Aqueduct, road rights-of-way, main streets and public and private sites. View a RiverWalk Route Map or take a Google Earth virtual tour of the RiverWalk.

Two popular places to visit recently completed sections of RiverWalk are in the Croton-on Hudson and Tarrytown-Sleepy Hollow areas of the county.  View detailed RiverWalk trail maps of Croton-on-Hudson and Tarrytown-Sleepy Hollow.  Learn more about the recently opened section of RiverWalk in Tarrytown

RiverWalk Facts and Figures:

• Total length: 51.5 miles
• 32.3 miles completed as paved and unpaved paths, promenades and sidewalks
• 5.5 miles in design or planning stages
• 13.2 miles remaining proposed route
• Spans 14 Westchester municipalities
• Intermodal - connects directly with 13 of 14 Metro-North Hudson Line Stations and 27 Bee-Line Bus Routes including the Tappan Zee Express  
• 75% of proposed route on publicly accessible lands including parks, road rights-of-way, and public institutions
• 25% of proposed route on restricted lands including Metro North right-of-way, industrial areas and private sites
• Go to RiverWalk mileage chart

New-York State Economic Tourniquet To Sacrifice Environmentally Essential & Revenue Producing Programs

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20090311/OPINION/903110306

Valley Views: Environmental programs critical to NY

ANDY BICKING AND BARNEY MOLLOY 

Just as the Hudson Valley is gearing up for the Quadricentennial, Gov. David Paterson has proposed getting rid of the Hudson River Valley Greenway and slashing funds from the Hudson River Estuary Program.

Talk about starting the celebration off on the wrong foot. For 25 years, the Greenway has led efforts to achieve sustainable economic growth based on recreation and tourism. By folding its responsibilities into the Department of State, the governor risks much of the $963,000 in grants the Greenway receives, especially $600,000 in federal funds for the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, the chief way of promoting the region's cultural assets and spurring its $4.5 billion tourism economy.

The Greenway helps communities focus development downtown, creating new businesses and jobs, while conserving working farms growing local produce and other open space that mitigates the harmful effects of climate change. And it has spearheaded creation of trail systems along and on the Hudson River spanning the 13 Greenway counties, providing new ways for people to connect with nature.

The Department of Environmental Conservation's Hudson River Estuary Program also benefits valley residents while strengthening the region's tourist appeal. Grants it awards communities fund creation or enhancement of waterfront parks, providing sparks for downtown revitalization. It is the lead agency in the region's approach to combating climate change, one of Paterson's priorities.

Even more significant, the Estuary Program oversees the Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda, the state's official blueprint for improving the health of the Hudson and its waterfront communities. Among the agenda's goals are restoring the Hudson's commercial fisheries, ensuring access points to the river in every town along it and making the Hudson healthy enough to swim in from the Adirondacks to New York Harbor. All would boost local economies.

Greenway Saves Towns Cash

The Greenway's regional and collaborative approach saves towns money and helps the valley compete for jobs. The 2,000 corporate executives and real estate professionals polled in a recent national survey by the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation said the words most associated with the region are "scenic beauty" and "nature." Respondents also regarded the valley's quality of life - near the top in any firm's relocation decision - as one of its prime strengths. With jobs getting scarcer by the day, this is no time to tamper with a proven formula for success.

It's not surprising leaders in many municipalities, including Putnam County Legislator (and Hudson River Navigator) Vincent Tamagna, have spoken out forcefully against these cuts and about the myriad benefits communities derive from the Greenway and Estuary Program. So have valley legislators such as Sens. Suzi Oppenheimer and Steve Saland, Assemblymen Kevin Cahill and Marc Molinaro, and U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey. The fact proponents of these programs sit on both sides of the political aisle demonstrates this is a nonpartisan issue.

The Hudson Valley's future prosperity hinges in large measure on the continued work of the Greenway and Hudson River Estuary Program. With so much at risk, there couldn't be a worse time to take an ax to them.

Andy Bicking is director of public policy for Scenic Hudson, based in Poughkeepsie. Barney Molloy is waterfront director of Historic Hudson River Towns.

Area Teacher"s Kayaking Commute

Sean Patch saves thousands of dollars a year by kayaking across the Hudson River to work.

CBS

Reprinted From : http://wcbstv.com/local/sean.patch.kayak.2.881138.html

Schoolteacher Sean Patch Crosses The Hudson On His Own Power Every Day

By JOSH LANDIS, CBS 2 HD News

NEW YORK (CBS) ― Faced with fare hikes and service cuts in mass transit, increasing bridge tolls, and expensive gas, commuters crossing the Hudson River alone spend hundreds of millions of dollars. 

Some commuters, however, are coming up with cheaper, more inventive ways to get to work. Such is the case for Sean Patch, who suits up for his morning commute to work…by kayak. 

"When I first started doing it, they would come out on the decks and wave their arms and be like, 'What are you doing out here?'" Patch tells CBS 2. 

Well, he's saving money. When the Weehawken ferry upped its prices, Patch ran the numbers. He's a math teacher, after all. 

Supplying his own paddle power saves $15.50 a day. Since July, that's $1700 dollars. 

And by the end of the school year the savings will be $4,175. 

Patch says he hopes to keep paddling to work even in the dead of winter. And if this is what you call home, maybe kayaking isn't such a stretch. Turns out, Patch's way is efficient. We timed his commute from the air. From bank to bank it took nine minutes.

The ferry takes seven. 

But it's not always smooth sailing. 

"It's tough for a lot of these boats to see me because I'm low on the water," he says. "There were times when a wave would come and it would prevent me from seeing the skyline of New York. So that was scary." 

After Patch locks up his boat, he rides a bike the rest of the way. 

Fellow teachers say they're humbled. 

"I walk to the train in the morning, a nice mile walk. But my friend here, he goes on an entirely higher level," says teacher David Greenbaum. 

"I think a lot of people are looking to use alternate forms of transportation now that the econmy is bad," adds teacher Maura Cisney. 

Patch says people need to stay positive. 

"In these tough economic times, look, we can resort to despair and frustration. But keep your eyes open, there may be opportunities at your front door," he says. 

Especially if your front door opens on the Hudson River. 

Patch is also a licensed captain. He says there are serious risks out there and anyone thinking about paddling across the Hudson should get proper training first. 

New Trail on the Hudson River from Poughkeepsie to Rhinebeck

Quoted from http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19446160&BRD=1704&PAG=461&dept_id=71705&rfi=6:

Hyde Park Townsman - Town finalizes trail agreement

Town finalizes trail agreement

By: Matthew Renda, Staff Reporter 04/03/2008 The town took one step closer to finalizing an agreement that will establish a trail fronting the Hudson River from Poughkeepsie to Rhinebeck. The project is part of the Greenway Conservancy Program, which is dedicated to the promotion, enhancement, and preservation of the scenic areas of the Hudson Valley.

New Maps of Hudson Boating and Fishing Access Sites Now Available

Quoted from http://readme.readmedia.com/news/show/New-Maps-of-Hudson-Boating-and-Fishing-Access-Sites-Now-Available/118137:

New Maps of Hudson Boating and Fishing Access Sites Now Available

More Than 90 Locations Throughout the Estuary Offer Great Recreation

ALBANY, NY (04/03/2008; 1302)(readMedia)-- The Hudson River Estuary provides extensive opportunities to enjoy nature and reconnect with the past, and with new maps developed by the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), it will now be even easier to find public access sites. DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today the release of public fishing and boating access maps for more than 90 locations between Troy and Yonkers, as well as resources to help residents and visitors make the most of their river experience. The maps are available on compact disc and the DEC website (see below).