Nyack's New Dock to Promote Rowing, Kayaking, Canoeing

Nyack's newest dock—a project that has been in the works for months—is making significant progress.

The village and the River Rowing Association (RRA) will be installing an eco-dock—a structure which rises and falls with the tide—south of the municipal dock area.

The dock, to be used for human-powered vessels, will be financed primarily by a grant from New York State aimed at promoting eco-friendly use of the Hudson River. The RRA raised over $35,000 to earn the grant, which in turn provides $150,000 for construction.

The eco-dock previously faced opposition from motor boaters, who worried the project would make the marina less appealing for motorized water vehicles. There were also concerns that rowers, canoers and kayakers would be at risk by riding too close to motor boats.

So, with consultation from Nyack's Parks Commission, the RRA proposed to move the eco-dock to more southern location—an idea approved by the village board.

"In the end, it seems that a compromise that serves both the needs of those using human-powered vessels and motor boaters was achieved," said Ivan Rudolph-Shabinsky, the RRA president.

"We are now working with the village and McLaren to move the project forward so that the dock can be constructed as soon as possible," he added, referencing the construction timeline.

Aiding the RRA in their efforts is McLaren Engineering, a local engineering firm experienced in waterfront projects. In addition to designing the eco-dock, McLaren aided the RRA in obtaining permits for the structure's construction. McLaren also assisted in writing the grant for the eco-dock.

Another contributor to the project is Jen Laird-White, a trustee in the Village of Nyack who spearheads the village's waterfront redesign initiatives. Before working as a trustee, Laird-White served on the Parks Commission and co-founded the Park Conservancy, which encourages financial contribution to park-related issues.

"[An eco-dock] will encourage more people to come down to the water and onto the water," Laird-White said. She believes the dock will promote safe and easy access to the river by human-powered boats, she added.

After the dock is installed, the RRA will be able to expand both its programming and membership, allowing more residents to enjoy human-powered boating, Rudolph-Shabinsky said. Student athletes will especially benefit from the expansion, as it will allow the RRA to increase their scholastic activities.

"We're very excited about the project and believe it will further promote rowing, kayaking and canoeing in Nyack," Rudolph-Shabinsky added.