Ensure Access to the Hudson River

Amtrak should not place barriers that prevent pedestrian access.

August 21, 2020

Expand Access

In March 2020, Scenic Hudson issued the Hudson River Access Plan. The plan provides analysis and documentation of places where people currently enjoy water-related recreation along the Hudson River. Also, the plan identifies gaps in public access, recommends places for safe new shoreline access, and suggests ways to improve safety at existing locations. The plan identifies three locations within the City of Hudson to maintain access to the river: Southern Waterfront, Henry Hudson Riverfront Park, and Furgary Fishing Village.

Scenic Hudson’s Hudson River Access Plan was developed with robust public engagement process including six meetings, 1,000 comments, and 5,500 votes for places where public access is enjoyed or needed in the future. The plan has 13 letters of support, including a letter from Hudson Mayor Kamal Johnson and Columbia County Board Chair Matt Murrell.

We need to ensure public access to the Hudson River. Our community relies on the Hudson River for fishing, recreation,...

Posted by Michael Chameides on Thursday, August 6, 2020

Amtrak Proposes Blocking Access

On July 16, 2020, Amtrak-convened a private video conference and presented a Five Year Fencing Program on the Hudson Line Section of the Empire Corridor that would expand the locations of gates and fencing that block access at sites between Rensselaer and Poughkeepsie, including blocking access to the Hudson River in locations in the City of Hudson. The Amtrak fencing plan includes a proposed 5-foot gate across the maintenance to the South Bay in 2021 as well as a gate near dock street and the fishing village blocking access to the north. Amtrak’s plan seems to ignore the public feedback, direction from local municipalities, and Scenic Hudson’s Hudson River Access Plan.

Regional Coalition

It is important to not only maintain public access but improve access to the Hudson River. Any barriers that Amtrak creates should accommodate public access to the river.

I have joined a regional coalition calling for the New York State Department of State to join our communities in a collaborative effort to review local government and regional public access needs and implementation. (see Board of Supervisors Resolution, Board letter, Register-Star article, and City of Hudson Resolution.)

Learn more about my environmental initiatives.