People of all ages and abilities will enjoy additional recreation access along the Hudson River, following $100,000 in completed and planned improvements to the 117-acre New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Nutten Hook Unique Area in the town of Stuyvesant, Columbia County, DEC Regional Director Keith Goertz announced today.

“DEC is pleased to announce a series of enhancements to the Nutten Hook Unique Area that will significantly improve the public’s ability to enjoy this beautiful, historic site on the Hudson River,” Goertz said. “I thank Stuyvesant Supervisor Knott, the state Department of Transportation and the Hudson River Valley Greenway for their collaboration and continued support to make this area a destination for residents and visitors.”

            The new public access enhancements include a small gravel car parking area and gravel bus parking area; two picnic areas, which include a covered pavilion; and a trailhead informational kiosk. Later this year, DEC will complete work on a universally-accessible pathway to the river and improvements to the beach area, where people can launch car-top boats.

            “I commend DEC staff for providing us with a very nice park,” said town of Stuyvesant Supervisor Ron Knott. “On behalf of the town, I am pleased see this latest access road and park development now available to the public. Our residents can now easily enjoy the river and the ice house ruins via a safe railroad crossing and accessible roadway.”

            “The Hudson River Valley Greenway is pleased to have been a partner with DEC, DOT and the town of Stuyvesant to help create this new public access to the Hudson River,” said Mark Castiglione, Acting Executive Director of the Hudson River Valley Greenway. “This new river access site will not only enhance the quality of life for the residents of Stuyvesant, it will also be an asset for the region as the newest stop along the 256-mile-long Hudson River Greenway Water Trail.”

            Scenic Hudson Senior Vice President Steve Rosenberg said, “Scenic Hudson preserved this beautiful and ecologically important land in 1990 to ensure that it would forever benefit local communities and the whole region. The parcel contributes to a healthier Hudson River and now with these new amenities that allow residents and visitors to enjoy nature and history in this stunning setting, the land is helping grow the local tourism economy. Scenic Hudson was pleased to transfer this land to the state, which has invested to make it an even greater public asset.”

            The Nutten Hook Unique Area is part of the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve system. The new improvements are located off Ice House Road in the town of Stuyvesant.

            The improvements reflect Governor Cuomo’s commitment to develop and expand public recreation access across the state, providing additional opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy New York’s natural resources, boosting local economies and improving the quality of life.