The Newburgh City Council received a presentation from Scenic Hudson on current environmental and community project work in the City of Newburgh.

Scenic Hudson, a grassroots organization here in the Hudson Valley, was first established in 1963. The formation of this grassroots organization was first initiated when Storm King Mountain was initially threatened by industrial development. Today the organization operates in various regions of the Hudson Valley, working toward land and farm preservation, creating parks and space for community connection and continuing to advocate and protect river and natural resources.

Scenic Hudson Executive Director Seth McKee was joined by colleagues Zoraida Lopez-Diago, River Cities Program Director and Duane Martinez, Project Manager, River Cities to present before the city council.

Scenic Hudson is currently working with the city on a project known as the Quassaick Creek Greenway. According to Martinez, on April 11, a request for proposal [RFP] was released for possible consultants to conduct a feasibility study and create a possible schematic plan. This schematic plan would be for a two mile stretch of land from the mouth of the Hudson River to Crystal Lake in Newburgh. The goal of Scenic Hudson is to hire a consultant by early June that will work with members of the City of Newburgh and Town of New Windsor towards the possible creation of a possible trail and park. The due date for the RFPs is May 16.

“It’s a real partnership with the City of Newburgh, city staff as well as the Town of New Windsor, and the Town of Newburgh and various other stakeholders, so it’s not Scenic Hudson alone,” said McKee.

Further details on this project will be made available at a later date to the public and Scenic Hudson will be working with the community, hosting forums and sharing materials.

Last month, Martinez worked in creating an inventory report of the parks here in the city which can be used for improvement recommendations. This created report is being reviewed by the City of Newburgh executive office.

Furthermore, Scenic Hudson is also looking to improve upon the area of Crystal Lake with more community involvement and engagement. According to McKee, Scenic Hudson had the opportunity to go to Crystal Lake several years ago and do a clean up. A garden space was also created at Crystal Lake. Scenic Hudson would also like to see the return of the Winterfest that was hosted at Crystal Lake but was not possible during COVID.

Additional work with Newburgh Urban Farm and the Street Tree initiative have been other opportunities for Scenic Hudson to become more involved in the community. Lopez-Diago also highlighted the importance of street trees that can for example increase natural oxygen.

According to Lopez-Diago, Scenic Hudson works closely with three cities in the Hudson Valley as part of the River Cities Program. These cities are the City of Newburgh, Poughkeepsie and Kingston. “We [Scenic Hudson] really want to understand the challenges that are facing our river cities, the strengths in these communities and how we can really work together,” said Lopez-Diago. “So much of our work in the river cities [Newburgh, Poughkeepsie and Kingston] is about a few things. One is really working with community, working side by side and ensuring that everyone in the Hudson Valley has equitable access to green space, to open space and all the benefits that come with that.”

Comments followed the presentation from the city council in support of the work done by Scenic Hudson. “I am very grateful for all the work that you’re doing. I think our city really needs that,” said Councilwoman Giselle Martinez.

“Everything that Scenic Hudson does in the City of Newburgh, I am a strong supporter of your efforts,” said Councilwoman Ramona Monteverde.