The Columbia Land Conservancy and partners from New City Parks, Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects, and the City of Hudson are thrilled to announce that the successful receipt of a $675,000 grant from New York State’s Environmental Protection Fund will make it possible to establish Charles Williams Park as a vibrant community hub for outdoor recreation.
“This project is a key part of CLC’s initiative to improve access to nature and was identified as a top priority in Common Ground, our recent county-wide planning effort,” says CLC President Troy Weldy. “For decades, we’ve dreamed of creating a way for people to access CLC’s Greenport property from Hudson on foot, and this project is the first step in making that dream come true.”
Grant funds will support key capital improvements, including: a destination playground with nature play features, a much-needed basketball court and two pickleball courts, a new pedestrian circulation system with connections to existing and proposed trails, adult fitness stations, improved stormwater infrastructure, and enhancements to biodiversity with native trees and plantings. Future plans for the park include the installation of a new public restroom and splash pad, and building a trail to connect the park to Greenport.
Principal at Starr Whitehouse, Gail Wittwer-Laird, states that the park “will serve as both a community destination and an essential pedestrian gateway to Greenport’s natural areas. Designed to accommodate people of all ages and abilities, the play area, picnic areas, and colorful sports courts are linked by a gentle loop path lined with benches and native swamp white oaks and shadbush. The park is poised to foster multi-generational gatherings centered on fitness and play for years to come.”
The project will truly transform a park that is currently underdeveloped, outdated, and uninviting. Charles Williams Park will become a centerpiece for a wide variety of visitors – not just for play, but for social and family gatherings and relaxation.
“Hudson is a city in transition. New City Parks is delighted the State has made this significant investment to upgrade Charles Williams Park to better meet the needs of residents,” said Rose Harvey, NCP founder and executive director. “The completed park will not only provide a variety of much needed facilities for outdoor play and leisure, but will eventually serve as an incredible gateway to the treasures of the entire region.”
To learn more about this and other conservation projects, join CLC’s mailing list at ColumbiaLand.org.
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About The Columbia Land Conservancy:
The Columbia Land Conservancy brings people together to conserve, appreciate, and enjoy land. This year, CLC is celebrating forty years of caring for land together – and looking forward to the next forty and beyond. CLC is proud to collaborate with individuals, communities, and partners to ensure Columbia County is a beautiful, livable, resilient place. For additional information, call 518.392.5252 or visit ColumbiaLand.org.
About New City Parks:
Founded in 2020, New City Parks (NCP) partners with and provides intensive support to small cities that are eager to make long-term commitments to prioritize parks in their least served neighborhoods. NCP’s model focuses on getting parks on the ground while also leaving behind new systems in cities to advance more park projects, secure future park funding, and model park programming and maintenance solutions. More information at https://www.newcityparks.org/.
