Unearthing a buried river.
Liberating an obstructed view.
Cleaning up an abandoned industrial site.
For more than six decades, Scenic Hudson has been reimagining corners of the Hudson Valley to create inspiring, innovative spaces that are now intertwined with our beautiful region’s DNA.
Protecting this beauty sometimes means collaborating closely with farmers, land owners, and local governments to make sure today’s rugged landscapes and rolling farmland stick around.
Other times, what’s there today may not look like much — but we see the potential: A discarded industrial site could be a new place to connect a community with the Hudson River. An unused piece of urban land could become a community farm to nourish the neighborhood with fresh produce.
Even with today’s challenges, we’re still here working hard to make this special place better for everyone.
Past Success Stories
Who doesn’t love before and after photos? Move the slider back and forth over the main images to see stories of innovation we’re especially proud of!
Pershing Community Farm
Decades of disinvestment and discriminatory housing practices have hurt Poughkeepsie neighborhoods like the one surrounding Pershing Avenue Park. Ask residents about the neglected lot that sat behind the park for years and many will tell you it was secluded and poorly lit, raising safety concerns.
Today, community members and local stakeholders have transformed the modest plot into Pershing Community Farm, which has grown and shared nearly 5,000 pounds of free fresh produce guided by our urban farmers. When you include food donated by partners, more than 8,000 total pounds of produce have been given out at Pershing to nourish the neighborhood since 2022 — including extra farm stands in November to help during the lapse in federal food assistance.
Black Creek Preserve
When we protected land along Black Creek in 1992, the area was practically pristine except for a few rental cabins. Unlike other local waterways that had been harmed by development and pollution, the surrounding forest had helped shield the creek, making it a thriving home for local fish and wildlife.
We set out to keep it that way — while opening the land to the public and adding thoughtful features for people to connect with the beautiful scenery and the Hudson River running alongside it. Today, Black Creek Preserve and its innovative suspension bridge is a popular spot for introducing kids to the outdoors. We wrapped up exciting new improvements this year, including riverfront access with a picnic pavilion, a restored 1840s gazebo, trail connections, and expanded parking to bring more people together with nature.
West Point Foundry Preserve
The West Point Foundry ironworks manufactured some of America’s first steam engines, locomotives, pipes for New York City’s water system, and cannons that helped win the Civil War — but by the 1990s, it was home to a polluted junkyard.
When commercial development threatened to destroy the historic ruins, we protected the site and spent more than a decade cleaning it up and preserving its heritage. Today, the West Point Foundry Preserve is not only a National Historic Landmark and outdoor museum, but a great place to watch native bees and butterflies in action. We collaborate with a dedicated group of volunteers that have been the driving force behind the preserve’s lively pollinator gardens, which they have been growing and expanding since 2019.
The Northside Hub
For two decades, the abandoned buildings with shattered windows at 58 Parker Avenue in Poughkeepsie were the picture of neglect. In 2020, we embarked on a five-year project to restore that piece of local history — the Standard Gage factory, which employed hundreds of Poughkeepsie residents — and revitalize a block that was polluted and inaccessible.
The new Northside Hub is home to our sun-powered offices, as well as community gathering spaces that will open in January. Responding to neighborhood-voiced needs, the vision is to make the Hub a welcoming place for all Northside residents and visitors to learn, grow, play, create, and celebrate together.
Sojourner Truth State Park Waterfront
This magnificent landscape — which we conserved in 2019 — was once home to brick making, ice harvesting, stone quarrying, and cement production before falling into neglect.
We collaborated with the Palisades Interstate Park Commission and New York State Parks over several years to establish it as the first state park in the City of Kingston and Town of Ulster. In 2022, New York Governor Kathy Hochul dedicated it in honor of abolitionist Sojourner Truth, who was born and lived much of her life in nearby Esopus. The new park includes accessible riverfront community space featuring a fishing platform and a large shade pavilion, and will soon offer the opportunity to swim in spring-fed quarry lake thanks to state investments.
Saw Mill River Daylighting, Yonkers
For most of the 20th century, the mouth of the Saw Mill River sat beneath a parking lot in downtown Yonkers. Recognizing the benefits of uncovering this important Hudson River tributary, Scenic Hudson conceived plans and helped secure state funding to carry them out. Since 2012, the “daylighted” Saw Mill River has been the centerpiece of Van der Donck Park, which hosts community events and schoolchildren who learn about wildlife — including ducks, blue crabs and eels drawn to the new aquatic habitat. The park also has attracted new businesses to the city center, supporting Yonkers’ economic revitalization.
Scenic Hudson Park, Irvington
Industry long blocked Irvington residents’ enjoyment of 12 prime acres on their Hudson Riverfront. After learning of plans to build housing on the land, perhaps restricting public access to it forever, residents approached Scenic Hudson for help in turning it into a community asset instead. We acquired the site, and then supported village efforts to clean it up and create a Scenic Hudson Park. Since 2001 its paths, ball fields and senior center have attracted people of all ages, and spurred redevelopment of adjacent factory buildings into a vibrant mix of businesses, restaurants and affordable housing.
Scenic Hudson Riverwalk Park, Tarrytown
Tarrytown residents couldn’t admire views of the Tappan Zee, one of the Hudson River’s widest stretches, because an asphalt plant stood in their way. Forging a dynamic partnership with the county, village and a private developer, Scenic Hudson spearheaded efforts to relocate the plant and turn the 5.2-acre site into Scenic Hudson RiverWalk Park. Opened in 2011, it features a popular riverfront esplanade as well as green “rooms” perfect for family picnics. The park also filled in a critical “missing link” in Westchester’s planned RiverWalk which will span the county’s 51-mile shoreline.
Scenic Hudson’s Long Dock Park, Beacon
Originally created in the 1800s as a terminal for ferrying rail cars across the Hudson River, and later the site of a junkyard and oil- and salt-storage facilities, Beacon’s Long Dock was ripe for reinvention as a community focal point. After acquiring the 23-acre property in 1996, Scenic Hudson shepherded the $16-million public-private initiative leading to the opening of Long Dock Park in 2011. Today, its waterside trails, kayak/canoe beach, shaded picnic areas and pier make it one of the mid-Hudson Valley’s most popular riverfront destinations for walking, fishing, paddling and picnicking.
Walkway Over the Hudson, Poughkeepsie–Highland
After a 1974 fire made it impossible for trains to cross the railroad bridge spanning the Hudson River between Poughkeepsie and Highland, it sat abandoned for the next three decades — until efforts picked up steam to turn it into the Walkway Over the Hudson. In 2009, Scenic Hudson provided leadership financial support for completing the world’s longest pedestrian bridge, which attracts more than 500,000 visitors annually. Many people extend their fun by hiking the 2.5 miles of woodland trails in nearby Franny Reese State Park, which Scenic Hudson protected and now maintains.
Transformations in the Making
Take a peek at some of our visions for the future. These projects are currently in development.
Highland Falls Preserve
When it opens in the spring, the Highland Falls Preserve will feature walkable trails with glimpses of historic ruins and stunning Hudson River views — but that’s not how it started.
We’ve been collaborating with hard-working volunteers to excavate, split, and move 600-pound stones to create a sturdy staircase to the hilltop area that will provide much-needed community space. Together we’ve also been working to make the trails clean, safe, and navigable around challenging terrain. The Village of Highland Falls and Scenic Hudson are partnering on the preserve, which includes 15 unique terrestrial and aquatic habitats.
Fall Kill Creek, Poughkeepsie
Scenic Hudson has been organizing seasonal cleanups of the Fall Kill Creek, removing thousands of pounds of debris and restoring the ecological health of this Hudson River tributary that flows through the City of Poughkeepsie. These events have drawn great support from local residents and made the community more aware of this long-neglected natural treasure in their “backyard.” Engaging with partner organizations, we’re committed to creating a streamside greenway that will provide new opportunities for recreation and business development in downtown neighborhoods.
