The River

Dobbs Ferry's most important natural asset and resource is the Hudson River and Waterfront Park is the village's gateway to and from the river. Before the shoreline stabilization work now underway, we were in danger of losing large parts of the park due to erosion.  In addition to this significant, and very necessary restoration work, plans are underway for an improved and enhanced riverfront experience through the incorporation of walking trails, a new fishing pier, a kayak and canoe launch area and a "step down" area to be able to actually touch the water. These enhancements, in turn, will help to redefine the community’s character as a Hudson River town and will better accommodate the village's recreational needs. An improved park will contribute to the economy of the whole village.

The Plan

The project includes restoration of the rip-rap embankment to stem shoreline erosion and sedimentation of the river. Other significant park improvements will include new walkways through the park, performance stage, gazebo, pergola, a comfort station, pedestrian lighting, plantings, new picnic tables, benches, and trash receptacles and possibly a community garden. The entire plan for the park will emphasize sustainability and environmental sensitivity.

Project Status

Significant progress has been made on the Phase I shoreline stabilization part of the project: much of the rip-rap work has been completed from the northern section of the park, down to Willow Point; impressive memorial steps have also completed on the southern and northern shores of the main park area.  Much of the unsightly underbrush and tree growth has been removed, opening up more beautiful visionary fields looking out across the Hudson River, to the opposite shore, the Tappan Zee, Palisades and beyond. There is still Phase I work to be completed, including the new supporting panels, which will be placed along the northern sections of Willow Point (and additional work to be done extending south from the Point – more on this below). This work will commence in the early spring. More detailed plans are also taking shape for the Phase II Upland Improvement part of the project. It is anticipated these updated plans will be presented to residents in the next month.

There are some new and exciting developments to report in regards to this project:

First, the bid for the shoreline stabilization work came in lower than expected, thus lowering the initial estimated expenses for the whole project.  Taking advantage of the expense savings, the village board has voted (unanimously) to extend the shoreline and upland improvement project further south from Willow Point, into the property owned by Half Moon Restaurant. By doing this the village can achieve an expanded and enhanced project - afforded by the lower then expected shoreline bids – and still fully utilize the Village’s original funding commitments along with the NY Department of State’s Matching Grant amount. The village is in process of drafting and executing a permanent easement – as well as required engineering reviews – to allow for the extension of the work south. In return, the business owners have agreed to contribute $75,000 to help offset the village’s portion of the costs for the additional work.

In other good news, Dobbs Ferry was awarded a competitive New York State grant to partially fund the construction of a Fishing Pier / Boat Dock as part of the whole waterfront renovation project.  The grant will add income and expense items to the budget. In view of this news, the board has taken the preliminary steps to commit village funds for an engineering study, which will be required to determine the scope of work required to build the structure. The pier has always been on the ‘wish list’ of the Waterfront Committee and the Project Design Team.  A fishing pier / boat dock has the potential to take the Waterfront Park to a whole new level, and it should be pursued in a thoughtful and economic manner.

Project budgets are not always perfect – costs and expense and income can change, contingencies might need to be modified; and as we see recently, there are sometimes exciting twists (opportunities) that present themselves unexpectedly along the way.

As we recognize the budget can and will change as the project moves forward – and because a group of residents has been working hard to organize private community fund raising to close the budget gap – the project’s budget is now posted on the village’s website (in the ‘Projects and Initiatives’ section under ‘Waterfront Redevelopment’). The budget will be updated going forward as determined by the Village Administrator, so everyone will have the latest information.

Thank you for your interest and support of this exciting project for our village.

—­Waterfront Park Committee

 Waterfront Project Budget as of 01-2012 (90.68 kB)