About Hudson Crossing
History of the Hudson Crossing Project
In 1999, a "Scenic Byway" designation for N.Y.S. Route 4 between Waterford and Whitehall provided an opportunity for community projects that would spark economic development. A renewed interest in local travel, a market that embraced historical, cultural, and educational tourism, and an increase in visibility of the N.Y.S. Canal System, set the stage for an innovative bi-county park It became the number one recommendation in the Champlain Canal Corridor Management Plan of 2000.
A grassroots steering committee from Saratoga and Washington counties included elected officials, planners, school leaders, and volunteers. Phil Lord, at the time the Director of Museum Services for the N.Y.S. Museum, played an integral role in supporting the start-up committee. Work began with a "Friends of Stark's Knob" group cleaning trails and securing funding for signage. Meetings, held monthly by committee members, envisaged a park that benefited a multi-generational audience. Slowly, an interweaving of history, geology, and environmental conscience began to emerge.
After receiving encouragement from representatives of the N.Y.S. Canal Corporation and local town officials, " Hudson Crossing A Bi-County Educational Park" became a reality and the search for funding began.
New volunteers joined the committee (although "old" volunteers rarely left!). Folks became involved with Scenic Hudson's RiverSweep clean-up efforts and with National Trails Day. Volunteers began to donate professional services - surveying, planning, graphic design, architectural concepts and consulting were given "pro-bono". Momentum built and outreach efforts grew. A public meeting in 2004 attracted over 100 people. The overwhelming support for the project was evident and once again new volunteers came forward. Early funds were directed to Hudson Crossing through both public and private channels - money for trails and signs and planning efforts became available.
In 2005 the Hudson Crossing Steering Committee forged a strong working relationship with students and faculty members at Skidmore College. Student interns brought energy and insight to assist with planning documents; they organized workshops and helped establish the first annual "Hudson Crossing Festival" on the Champlain Canal Lock 5 Island. An L.W.R.P. (Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan) grant application, written by Hudson Crossing members and submitted by the Town of Saratoga, was approved by the Department of State. Hudson Crossing became a leading component of this inter-municipal planning effort.
In the spring of 2006, Hudson Crossing Park incorporated in N.Y.S. and was soon recognized by the I.R.S. as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation.
Ongoing collaboration with planners, architects, and designers from River Street Planning and Development,, Synthesis, Transportation Concepts, The Saratoga Associates, Shannon Rose, and the Phinney Design Group has led us to innovative, well-designed working documents. A "multi-model" trail master plan, a feasibility study and a concept drawing for the proposed Environmental Education Center have created a framework for moving forward.
In January of 2007, Hudson Crossing's first paid staff member came on-board to direct the construction of a Play Garden. Once again, a surge of new volunteers stepped forward - this time folks offered boulders and stone, construction crews, landscape design and building materials.