GOVERNOR: $ 1.1 MILLION FOR WESTCHESTER, PUTNAM, ORANGE Includes $150,000 to Expand Access to Long Island Sound in City of Rye 

Governor George E. Pataki today announced $1.1 million for six conservation, recreation and open space projects in Westchester, Orange and Putnam. The awards, provided through the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (L WCF) and the state Clean Water, Clean Air Bond Act, include $150,000 to acquire an historic building and waterfront property that will link to an existing park in the City of Rye. 

"By providing the resources to expand waterfront access to the Long Island Sound, we are protecting precious natural resources while adding to the countless outdoor opportunities for families in the City of Rye," Governor Pataki said. "This project will ensure that generations of Westchester residents and visitors will continue to visit the park and marina to enjoy the scenic coastal views, recreation and natural habitat of the Sound." 

The LWCF award to the city of Rye will be used to purchase the 1.12 acre property that includes the Rye Friends Meeting House and Rye Marina Park. With this acquisition, the City will be able to consolidate public waterfront holdings and improve access to the Sound for recreation. Located at the mouth of Milton Harbor and Blind Brook, the new Sound access project will provide a direct connection to the coast and will preserve land within the coastal floodplain, coastal wetlands and riparian habitat. 

The property will be dedicated as parkland. Following the acquisition, the City plans to design and construct a pedestrian trailway along the waterfront connecting the purchased parcel to the existing marina park. Additional improvements will include signage and landscaping to increase views of the sound. 

The Rye Friends Meeting House is a diminutive wooden chapel with a bell tower that has been continuously used for worship for more than 100 years. Built in the 1870s, it is now used by the community for special events and concerts. 

City of Rye Mayor Steve Otis said, "The City of Rye is very appreciative of Governor Pataki's leadership on environmental issues and the assistance of his administration in our program of open space acquisitions. We would not be able to preserve parkland parcels like the Friends Meeting House without the help of the administration."

State Parks Commissioner Bernadette Castro said, "I commend Governor Pataki for his efforts to preserve and protect New York's precious outdoor resources and historic treasures. Once again, through these awards, the Governor has demonstrated his commitment to expanding public access. to our natural environment through improved waterfront access, trailways and recreational development for generations to come." 

Created in 1964, the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund shares the revenues from coastal non-renewable resources with state and local governments for the establishment of permanent recreational facilities. This fund is authorized to provide up to $900 million annually from offshore oil and gas leases to be split between "state-side" grants-in-aid and the federal government. 

In 1998, Governor Pataki created the Empire State Task Force for LWCF to increase public awareness and to support Congressional efforts to reestablish state-side funding. Through the success of the Task Force efforts, Congress appropriated $140 million, with nearly $7.1 million for New York State for the 2002 L WCF program. 

OPRHP support for the fiscal year 2001-2002 Clean Water, Clean Air Bond Act projects for parks, greenways, historic preservation and heritage areas to municipalities and not-for-profits comes to $7 million towards the funding of 49 projects. Over the past five years, more than $33.5 million in Bond Act grants have been awarded to 193 projects across New York State. 

Other projects announced today include The remaining five projects announced today include the construction of a bath house, recreational facility and basketball court, the preservation of a 1930's stone retaining wall, the installation of a pedestrian walkway to provide playground and fishing access, the creation of a welcome center with historic and cultural exhibits, and the development of pedestrian trailways, including signage and support facilities. A complete list follows:

 

Westchester County: 

City of Rye, Long Island Sound Waterfront Acquisition, $150,000 

This project will provide for the acquisition of Long Island Sound waterfront property, which includes Friends Meeting Site and will link the property to an existing City Park. 

Village of Sleepy Hollow, Horseman's Trail, $100,000 

The project will create a connecting trail section and signage and support facilities designed to create a pedestrian access link re-connecting the trail to the Hudson River. 

Town of Cortlandt, Broadway Boulevard Trail, $260,000 

The town seeks to develop the Broadway Boulevard Pedestrial Trail in the Hamlet of Verplanck. The trail will extend approximately a mile from the Buchanan Village line to the Steamboat Riverfront Park and will include street trees, landscaping, lighting and other amenities. This would be a continuation of the Cortlandt Shoreline Trail, which is designated Greenway.