A new park is taking shape along the Hudson that is extraordinary, and unlike any other. The river is not just the backdrop, or the scenery around the park. The river – a wild stretch of the upper estuary between Albany and Kingston – is itself the park.

Named the Hudson Eagles Recreation Area, it’s a truly grand initiative by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to improve resiliency and enhance connections to waterfront communities.

Once implemented, the Recreation Area will foster much greater access and public appreciation for the wild, northern third of the Hudson River Estuary. That, in turn, will build greater public awareness and support for much needed environmental and ecological protection.

It was a pleasure to have Commissioner Erik Kulleseid guests aboard on May 25 to tour the area, and to take part in a ribbon-cutting at Coxsackie’s Riverfront Park.

We traveled from the newly renovated riverfront and boat launch in Coxsackie to Gays Point, a campground; Nutten Hook, a public access point and fishing pier; Coxsackie Island, and Rattlesnake Island.

A $3.2 million project to revitalize the Coxsackie State Boat Launch and Riverside Park on the Hudson River in Greene County, opened in time for Memorial Day Weekend, was the first to be renewed under the Hudson Eagles Recreation Area.

Under the initiative, four additional state boat facilities Schodack Island State Park, Crailo State Historic Site, Athens State Boat Launch, and Hudson State Boat Launch - will receive upgrades, expanding access for boating, fishing, and wildlife observation. (Read more in Governor Hochul’s news release.)

The $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, if approved by voters in November 2022, will fund further improvements.

The Hudson Eagles Recreation Area is an extraordinary initiative, reminiscent of the grand vision over a century ago that led to the creation of the Palisades Interstate Park farther south. This park will help bring the Hudson River the recognition, protection, funding and habitat restoration it so needs and deserves.

It's wonderful when both the public and the river we all love benefit together. Riverkeeper looks forward to supporting this important state initiative in any way we can.