Croton Point Meadow Restoration Plan Picks up $630,000 in State and Federal Funding

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino and New York State Senator Terrence Murphy announced Monday that $630,000 has been secured in state and federal funds to strengthen the ecological health of the Croton landfill at Croton Point Park in Croton-on-Hudson.

The funding will be used for grasslands design and management specifications on the constructed meadow cap of the old Croton landfill.

The grassland was established in the mid-to-late 1990s on a capped landfill that operated from the late 1920s through 1986. The grassland is now managed by the Westchester County Department of Environmental Facilities, which also monitors and manages methane emissions for the capped landfill.

In addition to enhancing the overall aesthetics of the park, the project will eradicate invasive species and improve the ecological health of the park and the Hudson River Estuary bald eagle habitat, the largest in the lower Hudson flyway.

The project was conceived by Larry Weaner, a nationally renowned landscape architect, in a report on potential grassland design and management specifications for the area that was funded by Friends of Westchester County Parks.

"Grassland habitat is disappearing throughout the northeast, making the grassland on the former landfill at Croton Point Park a critical breeding site and migratory stopover point for grassland nesting birds, many of which have special conservation status," Weaner said when the funding was first announced in April. "Our challenge was to develop practical strategies for addressing invasive exotic plant growth threatening the grassland's integrity while causing as few habitat disturbances as possible during that process."

“I am proud to partner and fund one of the largest conservation projects in the history of Westchester County,” Murphy said during the announcement at the park on Monday. “Restoration of the area as grassland will provide a nesting place for migrating birds and other wildlife. Restoring the area’s natural habitat will create something of lasting value and beauty. I wanted to make sure the park will remain a vibrant and attractive place to visit for generations to come."

Astorino thanked and congratulated Senator Murphy’s office for securing $500,000 in state funds that will pay for the majority of the project, as well as the County Soil & Water Conservation District for securing the remaining $135,000 in federal funds.

“As stewards of the environment we have a responsibility to conserve our natural resources today and for future generations and efforts like these are important down payments on our endowment for the future,” said Astorino. “Thank you to Senator Murphy and all our partners for this wonderful restoration.”

As Anne Swaim, executive director of the Saw Mill River Audubon, said in April, "Restoration of the Croton Point grasslands will support birds like American kestrels, eastern meadowlarks and grasshopper sparrows. Given the past history of Croton Point Park, this project is a welcome affirmation of the high value of Croton Point for migrating and nesting birds.