The Latest from Hudson Crossing Park
Accessible Kayak Launch To Be Installed at Hudson Crossing Park
Schuylerville, NY: Hudson Crossing Park is thrilled to announce that a brand-new accessible kayak launch will be installed in spring of 2026, representing a major step forward in making outdoor recreation available to visitors of all ages and abilities. The launch will be professionally installed by BoardSafe, a national leader in adaptive waterfront access, ensuring that paddlers with mobility challenges can enter and exit the water with comfort, stability, and confidence.
Hudson Crossing Park is also excited to share that it has received four adaptive kayaks–two tandem and two single–from Rochester Accessible Adventures. These kayaks, designed specifically for individuals who need additional support, will allow more members of the community to the recreational opportunities available while paddling on the Champlain Canal. Announcements will be made in the spring about opportunities to use these new kayaks.
This project was made possible through generous grant support, including a $7,500 Trail Grant from Saratoga County, $24,999 Quality of Life Grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, and $15,000 from AARP. Hudson Crossing Park extends its deepest appreciation to these partners for their commitment to expanding inclusive recreation opportunities in our region.
The addition of the accessible kayak launch will have a meaningful and lasting impact on the community. It opens the door for individuals with mobility disabilities, older adults, and anyone who benefits from extra stability to enjoy independent or assisted kayaking. Families, adaptive athletes, and visitors of all abilities will now be able to share the water together, strengthening social connections and improving access to healthy, outdoor experiences. The launch also enhances local tourism by providing a unique adaptive amenity that will attract paddlers seeking inclusive adventures along the Champlain Canal. Most importantly, this project reinforces Hudson Crossing Park’s ongoing commitment to ensure that everyone, regardless of physical ability can explore, learn, and recreate in a welcoming environment.
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation’s Quality of Life Grants Program supports nonprofit organizations that empower individuals living with paralysis. Since the Quality of Life Grants Program’s inception, more than 4,000 grants totaling $48 million have been awarded. Funding for this program was made possible through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living (ACL grant #90PRRC0006-04).
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all as we age. Through advocacy, information, and service at both the national and state levels, AARP champions positive social change. Guided by a vision of a society where every person can live with dignity, purpose, and the opportunity to fulfill their goals and dreams, AARP works to create a more inclusive and livable future for all generations.
Hudson Crossing Park is centered on Champlain Canal Lock C5 Island just north of the Village of Schuylerville along Historic Route 4. A 501C3 not-for-profit organization, Hudson Crossing Park’s mission is to tie environmental responsibility to economic revitalization, and to engage people of all ages in making informed choices for a sustainable future. Learn more about this and other upcoming events at www.HudsonCrossingPark.org.
Carols, Cocoa, and Crafts at the Champlain Canal Regional Gateway Visitor Center
Schuylerville, NY – On Monday, December 15 at 1:00 PM, Hudson Crossing Park and the Historic Hudson Hoosic Rivers Partnership invite the community to a special holiday gathering at the Champlain Canal Region Gateway Visitor Center (30 Ferry St, Schuylerville, NY 12871). The Schuylerville High School Holiday Choir will kick off the afternoon with festive music while visitors enjoy hot cocoa and holiday-themed crafts for all ages.
This collaborative event brings together the Schuylerville High School Holiday Choir, Battenkill Community Services, and Hudson Crossing Park to fill the Visitor Center with music. Visitors are encouraged to come, enjoy a cup of cocoa, listen to the talented singers from the high school, and take part in simple crafts designed for both kids and adults.
All ages and abilities are welcome. Admission is free, though a suggested $5 per-person donation at the door will support Battenkill Community Services. The Champlain Canal Region Gateway Visitor Center is wheelchair accessible. For more information, please visit the Champlain Canal Region Gateway Visitor Center website or Facebook page.
The Historic Hudson Hoosic Rivers Partnership promotes the preservation, conservation, and recreational use of the natural, cultural, and historic resources within the Hudson and Hoosic River watersheds.
Hudson Crossing Park is centered on Champlain Canal Lock C5 Island just north of the Village of Schuylerville along Historic Route 4. A 501C3 not-for-profit organization, Hudson Crossing Park’s mission is to tie environmental responsibility to economic revitalization, and to engage people of all ages in making informed choices for a sustainable future. Learn more about this and other upcoming events at www.HudsonCrossingPark.org.
Jack O’Lantern Trail Walk at Hudson Crossing Park
Saturday, October 25th, 2025, 4:00pm-7:00pm
Schuylerville, NY (September 2025): Hudson Crossing Park will host its annual Jack-o’-Lantern Trail Walk On October 25th from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, inviting community members to take part in pumpkin carving, trail decorating, and a spooky evening stroll through the park.
The event begins with pumpkin carving at the pavilion from 4:00pm - 6:00pm, p.m. Carved pumpkins will then be placed along the Sensory Trail between 5:00 pm - 7:00pm, creating a glowing pathway leading along the Hudson River. Visitors are invited to take a spooky trek down the trail, enjoying the full display of illuminated jack o’lanterns.
Participation is $10 per pumpkin when using one provided by Hudson Crossing Park, or guests may bring their own pumpkins at no cost. At the end of the evening, participants are welcome to take their jack-o’-lanterns home. Those not taken home will be left for grateful wildlife to enjoy.
The Sensory Trail is wheelchair and stroller accessible, and people of all ages, abilities, and disabilities are welcome to carve, create, and enjoy the trail together.
The Jack-o’-Lantern Trail Walk is a highlight of the season at Hudson Crossing Park and offers an inclusive way for the community to enjoy an autumn evening together. For more information, follow Hudson Crossing Park on social media.
HUDSON CROSSING PARK RECEIVES $24,999 QUALITY OF LIFE GRANT FROM THE CHRISTOPHER & DANA REEVE FOUNDATION FOR AN ACCESSIBLE KAYAK LAUNCH
Schuylerville, NY – (September, 2025) – Hudson Crossing Park is proud to announce that it has been awarded $24,999 as part of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC) 2025 Direct Effect 1st Cycle Quality of Life grants. Sixty-one grants totaling $1,240,870 were awarded. The Quality of Life Grants Program supports nonprofit organizations that empower individuals living with paralysis. Since the Quality of Life Grants Program’s inception, more than 4,000 grants totaling $48 million have been awarded. Funding for this program was made possible through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living (ACL grant #90PRRC0006-04).
The Reeve Foundation’s National Paralysis Resource Center offers several grants under the Quality of Life program, awarding grants in various categories with different amounts. “These grants represent more than funding—they represent freedom, possibility, and dignity for individuals living with paralysis,” said Dan McNeal, Director of the Quality of Life Grants Program at the Reeve Foundation. “At the heart of our mission is a commitment to improving everyday life for our community. We’re proud to support organizations nationwide that are expanding access and creating programs built on accessibility, care, and respect.”
Hudson Crossing Park will use the grant to purchase an accessible kayak launch, with installation scheduled for this fall. This funding marks an important step forward in creating safe and equitable access to the Hudson River and Champlain Canal for individuals with mobility challenges, including those who use wheelchairs or live with disabilities. The accessible kayak launch will enable adaptive paddlers to enter and exit their boats more easily and safely, offering new opportunities for recreation, connection with nature, and community engagement.
“The launch will be installed this fall along our waterfront as part of our continuing inclusion journey,” said Kate Morse, Executive Director at Hudson Crossing Park. “This launch will serve as a gateway to the water for individuals who have traditionally faced barriers to paddling, and we’re incredibly grateful to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation for helping make this vision possible.”
About the Reeve Foundation: The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis. By uniting the brightest minds in the field, we are working tirelessly to accelerate scientific discoveries across the field of spinal cord research by investing in labs across the globe. Additionally, through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living, the Reeve Foundation’s National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC) promotes the health, well-being, and independence of people living with paralysis, providing comprehensive information, resources, and referral services, assisting over 100,000 individuals and families since its launch in 2002. The Reeve Foundation is committed to elevating our community’s voices and needs to achieve greater representation and independence. We meet all 20 of the Better Business Bureau’s standards for charity accountability and hold the BBB’s Charity Seal. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.christopherreeve.org/ or call 800-225-0292.
Hudson Crossing Park is a 501(c)(3) non profit, bi-county park located in Schuylerville, NY nestled between Champlain Canal Lock 5C and the Hudson River. Hudson Crossing Park’s mission is to tie environmental responsibility to economic revitalization, and to engage people of all ages in making informed choices for a sustainable future. The park is open every day year-round from dawn until dusk and is free of charge. Contact Hudson Crossing Park at 518-350-7275, or visit their website at www.hudsoncrossingpark.org
Hudson Crossing Park Receives $15,000 Grant from AARP to Support
Accessible Kayak Launch
Schuylerville, NY — Hudson Crossing Park is thrilled to announce it has received a generous $15,000 grant from AARP to support the installation of an accessible kayak launch, a key component in the Park’s ongoing mission to increase inclusivity and access for all.
This funding marks an important step forward in creating safe and equitable access to the Hudson River and Champlain Canal for individuals with mobility challenges, including those who use wheelchairs or live with disabilities. The accessible kayak launch will enable adaptive paddlers to enter and exit their boats more easily and safely, offering new opportunities for recreation, connection with nature, and community engagement.
“When enough funds are raised, the launch will be installed along our waterfront as part of our continuing inclusion journey,” said Kate Morse, Executive Director at Hudson Crossing Park. “This launch will serve as a gateway to the water for individuals who have traditionally faced barriers to paddling, and we’re incredibly grateful to AARP for helping make this vision possible.”
Accessible kayak launches are gaining momentum across the country as towns, parks, and recreational areas seek to create more welcoming and inclusive outdoor spaces. Hudson Crossing Park is proud to be part of this movement, working to ensure everyone- regardless of age or ability- has the chance to explore the natural beauty of the Champlain Canal and Hudson River.
Hudson Crossing Park is a 501(c)(3) non profit, bi-county park located in Schuylerville, NY nestled between Champlain Canal Lock 5C and the Hudson River. Hudson Crossing Park’s mission is to tie environmental responsibility to economic revitalization, and to engage people of all ages in making informed choices for a sustainable future. The park is open every day year-round from dawn until dusk and is free of charge.
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all as we age. Through advocacy, information, and service at both the national and state levels, AARP champions positive social change. Guided by a vision of a society where every person can live with dignity, purpose, and the opportunity to fulfill their goals and dreams, AARP works to create a more inclusive and livable future for all generations.
