Groundbreaking for Memorial Park Improvements

New York Secretary Cesar A. Perales was joined by Village of Nyack Mayor Jennifer Laird-White and other State and local officials today, including Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee, Senator David Carlucci, Orangetown Supervisor Andrew Stewart, and Rockland County Executive Ed Day, to break ground on improvements to Memorial Park funded by a grant from the New York State Department of State’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.

The New York State Department of State awarded the Village of Nyack an Environmental Protection Fund Local Waterfront Revitalization Program grant of $150,000 for the design and construction of Memorial Park amenities and a fishing pier. The groundbreaking event highlights the start of construction of the fishing pier and a handicapped accessible ramp to the pier to improve public access to the Hudson River. This project builds on a previous Environmental Protection Fund Local Waterfront Revitalization Program grant awarded to the Village for the preparation of conceptual designs for the entire 11-acre park, located on the Hudson River.

“I am very pleased to celebrate the groundbreaking of these great improvements to Memorial Park,” said Perales. “Our work here exemplifies the collaboration of State and local municipalities to enhance waterfront communities. While creating beautiful recreational areas, this project will also attract business and tourism to the Village of Nyack and the communities surrounding the waterfront.”

“We are incredibly grateful to New York State for their support and commitment to the changes taking place in our park, which serves as both a wonderful place for recreation for Nyack residents and as an access point to the Hudson River for our diverse community and visitors from miles around,” said Jennifer Laird-White, mayor of the Village of Nyack. “The fishing pier, with both its amenities and gorgeous views of the Hudson, and the new Tappan Zee Bridge project, will not only enhance our park but create an important connection to one of the greatest natural resources our has to offer, the Hudson River, also known as Nyack’s backyard.”

Construction of the fishing pier will involve driving thirty-six (36) new twelve (12) inch diameter piles into the existing gravel base and installing wooden decking on the pier’s surface. Rock boulders that currently surround the pier will be replaced with railings. The handicapped accessible ramp will lead from the adjacent parking area providing a direct connection to the pier. The pier will enhance recreational opportunities and will serve as a premier destination for fishing enthusiasts, the community and visitors throughout the region.

Caption: A groundbreaking ceremony marked coming improvements to Memorial Park in Nyack.