Hoosic River Greenway Waterworks Park Project Underway
Visitors enjoying the southern end of the Hoosic River Greenway in Hoosick Falls no doubt have noticed excavation along the riverfront which is part of a major development project underway to provide greater access to the Hoosic River and overall enjoyment of the Greenway.
The Greenway Waterworks Park Improvement Project will transform the southern end of the Greenway with the addition of kayak/canoe launches, fishing access areas, a circular drop off area for loading and unloading boats, an expanded parking area with an optional performance stage, along with additional landscaping to prevent soil erosion and control invasive species growth.
“We’re truly excited about this new phase of development on the Greenway that will transform how we interact with the Hoosic River,” said longtime Greenway volunteer, Shelly Stiles.
“The new fishing access areas are designed to take advantage of the dense natural habitat that support fish populations such as root wads.” The total cost of the project is estimated to be approximately $400,000 with grants secured from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), the OPRHP-Recreational Trails Program (RTP) along with matching funds generated through in-kind services and hours. Development of the area will continue in the coming months with a call for volunteers work crews to help plant vegetation within COVID-19 pandemic protocols, as permitted.
In January 2009, the Village of Hoosick Falls with help from the Hoosic River Watershed Association (HooRWA) acquired 2.5 miles of abandoned rail bed along the Hoosic River in the Village, the heart of the Hoosic River Greenway. When developed, these core parcels and, eventually, additional lands stretching north and south, will provide an entirely new kind of recreational resource for the community. Walkers, bikers, skiers, anglers, floaters, nature enthusiasts and others will enjoy the trail, its natural setting, its sitting and picnic areas, and the Hoosic River.