NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND VILLAGE OF NYACK ANNOUNCE COMPLETION OF WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION PROJECT AT MEMORIAL PARK

 

New Accessible Pathway, Shoreline Resiliency Upgrades and Art Pad for Public Art Installations

Projects Funded Through the State Local Waterfront Revitalization Program

Nyack Also a Round 3 NY Forward Program Winner

New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley and Village of Nyack Mayor Joe Rand announced the completion of several waterfront improvements to Memorial Park in Nyack. Projects unveiled at a ribbon-cutting today include a new accessible pathway; resilient shoreline stabilization upgrades; and a public art installation pad. The projects were supported by a $417,000 grant from the New York State Department of State’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP). Nyack is also a round 3 Mid-Hudson region winner of a $4.5 million NY Forward award.      

“Accessible waterfront recreation and downtown revitalization are coming together here in Nyack, creating a perfect recipe for long-term sustainability, resiliency and economic development,” said New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley.  “We are thrilled that two of our signature community development programs have converged to improve the waterfront experience and re-connect the waterfront to this burgeoning downtown.”

Improvements funded through this LWRP Grant include:

• Accessible waterfront pathway along the Hudson River from the pedestrian bridge south to the fishing pier at memorial park, replacing a previous gravel path that was difficult to navigate.
• Shoreline stabilization—with landscaping and other materials—to enhance resilience to storm surge and climate change impacts.
• An art installation pad to accommodate future public art projects.
• New public gathering spaces, picnic tables, landscaping, lighting and rain gardens.

Nyack also received and implemented several previous LWRP awards over the past 30 years for waterfront improvements totaling $1.3 million Some of the projects include:

• Memorial Park/Village Marina Connection and Waterfront Pathway ($401,000). Designed and constructed a walkway along the Hudson River connecting Memorial Park to the Village marina. This grant also supported the inlet pedestrian bridge connecting Memorial Park to the Village.
• Update to LWRP Plan ($75,000). The Village amended its LWRP plan to guide development within their waterfront area.
• Boat Ramp and Dock ($150,000). Designed and constructed a ramp and eco-dock at the Nyack Marina to create safe access to the Hudson River for boats.
• Memorial Park Shoreline and Fishing Pier ($150,000). Designed and constructed a fishing pier with railings and an accessible boat ramp.

Nyack also received a $590,000 grant in 2025 from the Department of State’s Coastal Rehabilitation and Resiliency project program to further bolster resiliency along the shoreline. That program is funded through Governor Hochul’s Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, which New York voters approved overwhelmingly in 2022.

Nyack was also named the Mid-Hudson NY Forward program winner for the third round of the program in 2025. Other NY Forward winners in the region include Village of Sleepy Hollow, Town of Cornwall/Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson, Village of Highland Falls, Village of Montgomery, Village of Dobbs Ferry and most recently Village of Ellenville and Town of Rockland/Livingston Manor.

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Kathy Moser said, “New York’s waterfront parks are vital recreational and environmental resources for shoreline communities. Through programs like the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, cities, towns and villages like Nyack can restore these spaces while strengthening resilience to flooding. By stabilizing the Hudson River shoreline and creating new accessible pathways, Nyack is ensuring that future generations and New Yorkers of all abilities can enjoy Memorial Park and all the riverfront has to offer.”

Village of Nyack Mayor Joe Rand said, “Nyack is blessed with a spectacular waterfront park, a place to relax, attend special events such as our summer music series, and connect with friends and neighbors. NYS support has enabled us to make the waterfront accessible and sustainable for residents and tourists alike.

About the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program

The Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) provides grants to communities to develop community-driven waterfront revitalization plans that cultivate a vision for their waterfront; identify projects to implement that vision; and provide coastal policies to guide future planning, development and infrastructure. LWRP also funds Watershed Management Plans (WMPs), which protect and restore water quality and watersheds as well as address watershed-wide resiliency. LWRP projects help communities expand public access to their waterfronts and protect the environment, while also boosting tourism, economic development and community resiliency.

LWRP is funded through the State’s Environmental Protection Fund. Governor Hochul has made available an unprecedented $450 million this year for programs supported through the State Environmental Protection Fund, up from $300 million in 2023.

About the NY Forward Program

First announced as part of the 2022 Budget, Governor Hochul created the NY Forward program to build on the momentum created by the DRI. The program works in concert with the DRI to accelerate and expand the revitalization of smaller and rural downtowns throughout the State so that all communities can benefit from the State’s revitalization efforts, regardless of size, character, needs and challenges.

NY Forward communities are supported by a professional planning consultant and team of State agency experts led by DOS to develop a Strategic Investment Plan that includes a slate of transformative, complementary and readily implementable projects. NY Forward projects are appropriately scaled to the size of each community; projects may include building renovation and redevelopment, new construction or creation of new or improved public spaces and other projects that enhance specific cultural and historical qualities that define and distinguish the small-town charm that defines these municipalities. Through four rounds, the NY Forward program will have awarded a total of $340 million to 77 communities across every region of the State.