July 2021
Barnabas McHenry, Chairman Greenway Council, Co-Chair National Heritage Area
Kevin M. Burke, Chairman, Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley,
Co-Chair National Heritage Area
Scott Keller, Executive Director Greenway,
Director National Heritage Area 
Monthly News, Events, & Grant
Opportunities
Important Reminders

  • Greenway Planning, Greenway Trail, and Heritage Development Grant Applications are Due September 10, 2021. More details.





Greenway Staff Visit the Sing Sing Prison Museum

Recently, Scott Keller, Executive Director, and Dan Jeanson, Project Director, were invited to tour some of what will become a future Sing Sing Prison Museum at the most famous, still-functioning prison in America. The project has secured some grant funds and will proceed in phases in the coming years. The museum will interpret not only the history of the prison, but also engage visitors with questions like how and why we incarcerate people today.

A former guard tower in the adjacent Louis Engel Waterfront Park now houses the plumbing for a children’s splash pad and is marked by a plaque acknowledging the 1831 visit by Alexis de Tocqueville. The 1936 Power House, which will house the welcoming center for the museum and the bulk of the interpretation at the museum, is currently home to an auto repair shop run by the New York State Department of Corrections, the former correctional officer locker rooms, and a large space that is currently used for storage. 

A dedicated walkway through the prison yard is planned to lead to the abandoned 1825 Cellblock, a building that was constructed by inmates using Sing Sing ‘marble’ at a time when the young nation didn’t even have an engineering school. This cellblock was once the largest prison in the world, housing 1000 inmates.

If all goes according to plan, the Sing Sing Prison Museum will open in 2025.
Event Registration to be included in the 2021 Hudson River Valley Ramble Digital Guidebook Has Been Extended!

We have extended the publishing deadline for event submissions to be included in the year’s Hudson River Valley Ramble digital PDF guidebook to July 11, 2021. We hope you will take this opportunity to partner with us in the most exciting regional event series in the Hudson Valley!

The Hudson River Valley Ramble is an annual event series during the month of September that celebrates the history, culture, and natural resources of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, as well as the amazing landscape, communities, and trails throughout the region.

Event registration is open to the 11 counties in the geographic area of the Hudson River Valley Greenway and National Heritage Area for any day during the month of September. VIRTUAL event submissions are now allowed! All in-person events will be required to follow NYS Guidelines (at the time of the event) to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to keep participants and you safe. There will not be a printed guidebook this year, but instead, events will be listed on our website and the guidebook will be available in a PDF version. Submit your event.
Hudson River Valley Greenway Announces $228,250 in Grants

At its June meeting, the Hudson River Valley Greenway approved four matching Greenway Planning awards and eight Greenway Conservancy Trail awards totaling $228,250. 

The funded Greenway Planning projects include:

  • $10,000 to Orange County, for an Open Space Plan Update
  • $10,000 to Town of Greenville, for a Zoning Code Update
  • $10,000 to Town of Kingsbury, for a Comprehensive Plan Update Phase 1
  • $8,000 to Town of Woodstock, for a Zoning Update for Housing & Community Character

The funded Greenway Conservancy Trail projects include:

  • $20,000 to Orange County, for the Heritage Trail Parking Lot and Paving Project in Chester, NY
  • $10,000 to Town of Cairo, for Mountaineer Rail Trail Project
  • $37,100 to Town of Philipstown, for the Philipstown Connector Trail Feasibility Study
  • $72,550 to Village of Briarcliff Manor, for the North County Trail Way Connection to Village of Briarcliff Manor Central Business District
  • $13,100 to Calvert Vaux Preservation Alliance, for the Hoyt Carriageway Bridge
  • $10,000 to Columbia Friends of the Electric Trail, for Albany Hudson Electric Trail Maintenance
  • $20,000 to Columbia Land Conservancy, for Improving the Access for All Trail at Greenport Conservation Area
  • $7,500 to Rensselaer Land Trust, for Albany Hudson Electric Trail Maintenance.

The next round of Greenway Planning and Greenway Trail Grant applications are due September 10, 2021. Information and guidelines are available here.
Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Announces $35,000 in Grants

At its June meeting, the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area approved six matching Heritage Development awards totaling $35,000. 

The funded projects include:

  • $5,000 to Friends of Odell House, for The Decision that Won the American Revolution. The 1781 French American Encampment
  • $5,000 to Irish American Heritage Museum, for Collars, Canals, and Conflagrations!: Irish Immigrants in the Capital Region
  • $5,000 to Olana Partnership, for Panorama Summer Learning Program for Youth
  • $5,000 to Shaker Heritage Site, for Virtual Watervliet Launch
  • $10,000 to Sing Sing Prison Museum, for Sing Sing Prison Museum Exhibition
  • $5,000 to Westmoreland Sanctuary, for Westmoreland Sanctuary Virtual Tour

The next round of Heritage Development Grant applications are due September 10, 2021. Information and guidelines are available here.
News From Our Partners at the Hudson River Estuary Program
Important Reminders


Students and Volunteers Celebrate Another Season of Eel Research

The 2021 Hudson River glass eel migration season has come to a close. Students and volunteers monitored 12 streams for young eels just arriving from the ocean this spring. A total of 77,350 glass eels were caught, counted, and released upstream. Project participants check specialized nets during the migration season to monitor how numbers of this important species are doing.

At the end of the season, DEC staff and participants met to wrap-up and "eelebrate" the work that volunteers did. Folks shared stories and experiences, and heard about the data they helped collect. One high school participant, Nadia Morales from Poughkeepsie High School said, "It's very therapeutic. People get caught up with life but you go into the river and counting eels is very calming."

If you're interested in participating next year, send an email to eelproject@dec.ny.gov and say where you live (to match you with a site nearby), and why you're interested in participating in eel sampling. Learn more.
Upcoming Events

*Please note that, while many heritage sites in the Hudson Valley have begun to reopen cautiously due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, some sites are still closed or have reduced hours. Please call the individual sites directly to inquire about their current status. New York State Parks remain open. While enjoying the outdoors, please follow the CDC/New York State Department of Health guidelines for preventing the spread of colds, flu, and COVID-19.

Download the Hudson River Train Tour App
Between New York City and Albany, a world of history, nature, and culture awaits you. And there’s no better way to experience it all than by riding a train through the Hudson Valley. With the new, free Hudson River Train Tour app, you’ll discover what’s out that train window…and beyond. Learn more.

Not Just One Thing Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, Wilderstein Historic Site, Rhinebeck, NY
June 6 - October 31:
Not Just One Thing features the work of nationally recognized artists, a Bard College graduate student, and an augmented reality 3D sculpture created by the Center for Experimental Humanities at Bard College. More info.

Dorothy Gillespie: Sculpture in the Garden, Edward Hopper House, Nyack, NY
June 29 - October 1: Visit the Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center to view an exhibition of sculpture by Dorothy Gillespie (1920-2012) in the garden. Find out more.

Friends of Historic Kingston's Modjeska Signs Exhibit, Fred J. Johnston Museum, Kingston, NY
Fridays & Saturdays: This exhibit features the signs of many Kingston businesses from the 1920s to the early 1970s. More details.

Boos & Brews: Haunted Tours, Historic Huguenot Street, New Paltz, NY
Fridays & Saturdays: Each Friday and Saturday night, creep it real with some of New Paltz’s most chilling legends. More details.

Play Days @ Jay, John Jay Homestead State Historic Site, Katonah, NY
Saturdays: On Saturdays during the Farmers Market, stop by the Play Days @ Jay booth for a fun activity or craft. Read more.

Friday Picnics, Opus 40, Saugerties, NY
July 2: Guests are welcome to bring chairs or a blanket or to reserve a table and enjoy a picnic evening on site. Register now.

Parks are an Essential Business (WEBINAR)
July 2: Participants will learn about assessment methods to quantify equitable access and solutions to ensure that everyone has walkable access to parks and trails. More info.

Independence Day Cannon Firing Program, Fort Montgomery State Historic Site, Fort Montgomery, NY
July 4: Celebrate America's birthday with the firing of the fort's artillery. Learn more.

Indian Hill Hike, Sterling Forest State Park, Tuxedo, NY
July 10: This moderate four-mile hike is perfect for both beginner and intermediate hikers looking for a more challenging hike. Find out more.

Flower Arrangement: Installations, Glebe House, Poughkeepsie, NY
July 10: In this workshop, participants will learn about the large-scale arrangements and work in teams to design 4 sides of an outdoor canopy. Read more.

CDTC Complete Streets Summer Series: Complete Streets Demonstration Projects (WEBINAR)
July 13: Examples from across the region and beyond that help you understand what you can do and how? More info.

Great Estates Garden & Landscape Weekend, Locust Grove Estate, Poughkeepsie, NY
July 17-18: Tour the perennial garden and go for a Historic carriage road walk. Read more.

Cornell Hill Fire Tower, Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park, Wilton, NY
July 18: Climb a tower without having to climb a mountain! Learn more.

Herpetology Walk, Rockefeller State Park Preserve, Pleasantville, NY
July 22: Join Naturalist, Joshua DiPaola, to learn more about the unique evolution of reptiles and amphibians. More details.

Creatures of the Night Hike, Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, Delmar, NY
July 22: Learn about creatures of the night with DEC's Summer Program Staff. This interactive hike is fun for the family! Read more.

Water Chestnut Removal, Rockland Lake State Park, Valley Cottage, NY
July 23: Join the Trail Conference's Aquatic Invasives Strike Force as they remove water chestnut from Rockland Lake. Sign up.

Walkway at Night, Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, Highland, NY
July 23: With the moon hanging high in the sky and the Mid-Hudson Bridge twinkling in the distance, there is truly nothing like a moonlit evening on the World's Longest Elevated Pedestrian Bridge. Find out more.

Farm to Fork Bike Tour, Salem, NY
July 24: A fantastic day planned for you full of bike riding, uniquely curated farm experiences, gourmet local foods, and social distance. More info.

FarmArt Market: “Taste of History”, L Vern Allen Park, Washingtonville, NY
July 25: Check out Washingtonville's history-themed farmers and art market. Read more.

Family Scavenger Hunt, Oakwood Cemetery, Troy, NY
July 28: Join the Rensselaer County Historian Kathryn Sheehan for a family scavenger hunt. Learn more.

Staatsburg Village Walking Tour, Staatsburgh State Historic Site, Staatsburgh, NY
July 31: This 90-minute walk in the village of Staatsburg will explore the Mills estate's close relationship with the village. Find out more.

Fishing Basics, Washington Park, Albany, NY
July 31: Join DEC Summer Staff to learn fishing basics. You will then have a chance to practice your skills in a scenic location! More details.
Heritage Spotlight: Cathedral of All Saints

The Cathedral of All Saints is an example of Gothic Revival architecture complete with flying buttresses and European stained-glass windows, including a design by Clayton and Bell. J.P. Morgan and Erastus Corning contributed to the Cathedral’s construction. Its walls and floors contain mosaics around the high altar. Its elaborately carved stone interior contains memorials to several state governors and a stunning baptistery. Politicians such as the Roosevelts, Rockefellers, and Cornings worshipped at the Cathedral and contributed to its history. Known for its music program, artists, and traditional worship, the Cathedral is home to many special events, including an annual Messiah concert, Sacred Sites Weekend, and Cathedral in Bloom, the Capital District's premier flower show. The Cathedral is open weekdays for noon services in a side chapel and offers quiet space elsewhere for visitors at this time. Tours for groups and individuals are available during special events and by appointment. Learn more.
Project Spotlight: Kingston Midtown Cultural Asset Mapping Project

The City of Kingston received a Greenway Planning Grant to complete a cultural asset mapping project on Midtown Kingston. This neighborhood of Kingston like many communities in the Hudson Valley is vulnerable to displacement and gentrification. The intention of this cultural asset mapping project was to create a strategy to evaluate the numerous changes taking place, while also identifying and characterizing the resources, historic structures, and current plans in Midtown Kingston. This project built on a previously funded project to create a Cultural Resources Survey that identified Midtown's historic properties. While reaching their goal the project helped ultimately determine that an Arts & Culture Master Plan was necessary for the entire city of Kingston, which is currently underway. Learn more about the City of Kingston.
Invasive Common Buckthorn

Common buckthorns form thick hedges with long branches that crowd out and shade out native shrub and herbaceous species, preventing the regeneration of native plants. Learn more.
Grant and Funding Opportunities

Hudson River Valley Greenway Community Grant Program
Matching grants are available for Greenway Communities and Greenway Compact Communities. Deadline: September 10, 2021. More info.

Heritage Development Grants
This annual grant program offers funding for programming, interpretation, and marketing projects that support the mutual goals of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area (HRVNHA) and applicants. Grants will typically range from $1,000 to $5,000. Grant program guidelines and applications are available on the HRVNHA's website. One notable departure for this round is that staff time is eligible to be reimbursed, but only if that staff time is for the direct development of programming or interpretation, as identified in the grant application. We will be accepting applications with a September 10, 2021 submittal deadline, particularly focused on creating virtual tours and programming. Please note, that there is a new budget form with the application packet. Applicants should not use an older version of the budget form.

Greenway Conservancy Trail Grant Program
This grant program is dedicated to funding recreational trail projects. Special consideration is given to projects that seek to implement the goals of the Greenway Trail Program. Applications are due September 10, 2021. More details.

National Heritage Area Sponsorships Available
The Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area (HRVNHA) will partner with various organizations to sponsor programs and events that reinforce the Heritage Area’s mission. While complimenting the mission of the Heritage Area, cultural, heritage, and recreational events deliver significant tourism and economic benefits to communities, and encourage local and regional partnerships. Sponsorships will have an additional focus on events promoting the 19th Amendment and/or Women's in History in the Hudson Valley for the year 2020. Municipalities and nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations located within the HRVNHA are eligible to apply. For more information, please contact Dan Jeanson at daniel.jeanson@hudsongreenway.ny.gov or 518-473-3835.

Market New York - Tourism Grant Program
Market New York is a grant program that supports regionally themed marketing projects that promote tourism destinations, attractions, and special events, as well as tourism facility capital improvement projects. Additionally, eligible projects include the hosting, coordination, and execution of special events new to New York State, and the promotion of agritourism and craft beverage tourism. Deadline: July 10, 2021. Read more.

EcoSolution™ Grants
EcoSolution™ Grants range from $500-$2,500 and are intended to support solution-oriented, youth-led projects that result in real environmental outcomes. ecoSolution™ Grants are available to educators working with youth. Deadline: July 15, 2021. Find out more.

EcoTech™ Grants
EcoTech™ Grants are offered to engage children in inquiry-based, STEM-related projects that leverage technology and/or use nature-based design to address environmental problems in local communities. Deadline: July 15, 2021. More info.

DHPSNY Planning & Assessment Services
DHPSNY’s Planning & Assessment Services consist of Archival Needs Assessments, Preservation Surveys, Condition Surveys, and Strategic Planning Assistance. Deadline: July 16, 2021. More details.

Climate-Adaptive Design PHASE II
Approximately $125,000 is available to design a project to reduce shoreline or stormwater risk in one or more of the following communities-the village of Catskill, city of Hudson, city of Kingston, or village and town of Ossining. Eligible projects must reduce risks from shoreline or stormwater flooding and erosion while enhancing habitat value, which may include options for strategic relocation, resilient waterfront structures, and infrastructure, natural and nature-based shoreline design, and stormwater green infrastructure. Deadline: July 23, 2021. Read more.

Water Quality Improvement Projects Program
WQIP funds implement projects to address documented water quality impairments or protect a drinking water source. Eligible project types include wastewater treatment improvement, non-agricultural nonpoint source abatement, and control, land acquisition for source water protection, salt storage, aquatic connectivity restoration, and marine district habitat restoration. Deadline: July 30, 2021. Learn more.

Non-Agricultural Nonpoint Source Planning and MS4 Mapping Grant 
NPG funds the production of planning reports for nonpoint source water quality improvement projects and mapping of Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4). Deadline: July 30, 2021. Read more.

Restoration of Watershed Connectivity and Improved Road Infrastructure
Approximately $100,000 is available to help municipalities document constrictions that cause flooding at culverts and bridges and are barriers to fish movement in Hudson tributary streams. The purpose of the grant is to develop municipal management plans and designs to improve inadequate road-stream crossings through a regional approach that restores aquatic connectivity and reduces flood hazards in multiple municipalities. Deadline: July 30, 2021. More info.

Regional Economic Development Council Eleventh Round
The 2021 funding round includes more than $750 million in state economic development resources. Deadline: July 30, 2021. More details.

Love Our Byways Micro-Grant
The National Scenic Byway Foundation is providing Love our Byways micro-grants to organizations, up to $2,000 each. Deadline: July 30, 2021. Read more.

2021 NYSCA/GHHN Conservation Treatment Grant Program
Applications will be accepted from nonprofit organizations, museums, historical organizations, or other cultural institutions either incorporated in or registered to do business in New York State that own, care for, and exhibit collections to the public. Deadline: September 1, 2021. More info.

NYSCA Recovery Grants
Recovery grants support arts and cultural nonprofit organizations negatively affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Deadline: September 1, 2021. Learn more.

NYSCA Organizational and Individual Artist Recovery
Support will broaden individual artist support and deliver extremely flexible funding for organizations through a streamlined application experience. Grants offered in this round will greatly expand eligibility and encourage new applicants across a wide spectrum of artistic and cultural practices. Priority will be given to applicants that serve historically underrepresented communities. Funding opportunities include: Support for Organizations, Support for Artists, Special Opportunities, and the NYSCA Recovery Fund. This round will include competitive applications with full panel review. Deadline: September 30, 2021. Find out more.

Regenerate NY Cost-Share Grants 
Through Regenerate NY, landowners can apply for financial assistance for projects on their land that support the establishment and renewal of healthy forests. This is a cost-share reimbursement program, so all costs must be incurred by the landowner or fiscal sponsor before they can be reimbursed. Deadline: October 8, 2021. Read more.

Extreme Terrain’s Clean Trail Grant Program
This program will provide eligible groups the opportunity to apply for a grant to fund their next trail improvement-related project, which could range from trail clean-up, trail restoration, trail expansion, to name a few. Learn more.

New York State Assembly Grants Action News 
State, federal, and private grant information from the New York State Assembly. More info.
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