Haverstraw, NY – The Town of Haverstraw has been awarded $4 million in New York State funding to replace the aging bathhouse at Bowline Point Park, a public recreational facility along the Hudson River that serves residents, families and community organizations throughout northern Rockland County.
The funding, announced by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, will support the replacement of the swimming complex’s original bathhouse, which was constructed in 1973. The building has been in use for more than 50 years.
State Parks Commissioner Kathy Moser joined local officials to announce the investment, which is being provided through discretionary state capital funding.
The project is part of New York’s broader efforts to improve public recreational infrastructure, including swimming facilities that provide affordable opportunities for exercise, recreation and water safety education.
Bowline Point Park features an Olympic-size swimming pool with a diving well and wading area, two water slides, a toddler pool and an accessible water spray area. Additional amenities include playgrounds, tennis and pickleball courts, a volleyball court, walking paths, picnic facilities and a fishing pier overlooking the Hudson River.
The swimming complex also serves organized youth programs and community groups. In 2023, the Haverstraw Town Board approved an agreement allowing the Village of West Haverstraw’s summer day camp to use the swimming facilities, including access to swimming instruction and water safety supervision.
According to state officials, replacing the aging bathhouse will help maintain the park’s recreational services and address infrastructure that has been in operation for more than five decades.
Town Supervisor Howard Phillips has supported improvements to the park, which is among the town’s primary outdoor recreation destinations.
The $4 million allocation is associated with the state’s Unplug and Play initiative, which supports investments in parks, swimming facilities, playgrounds and community recreational spaces.
The broader initiative includes NY SWIMS, a program focused on expanding and improving swimming opportunities across New York. State officials have reported nearly $260 million in funding for 79 swimming-related projects through the program.
A related initiative, NY BRICKS, supports the construction and renovation of community centers. State officials have reported $100 million in awards for 30 projects, with an additional funding round planned.
The Bowline Point Park project follows several previous investments in the property.
In 2023, the Haverstraw Town Board authorized a $289,100 contract with Green Valley Group for tennis court improvements. The board also approved a $325,000 capital project to support those upgrades through the town’s general fund.
During the same year, town officials sought construction bids for additional improvements to the swimming complex.
Other recreational improvements have included the installation of a Challenger Obstacle Course in 2019 and outdoor resistance exercise equipment in 2020.
The park has also required significant maintenance because of its waterfront location.
Superstorm Sandy caused extensive damage to Bowline Point Park in October 2012, affecting its shoreline, seawall and walking path. Subsequent restoration efforts included shoreline stabilization and construction intended to protect the property from additional erosion.
In 2025, the Town Board considered further shoreline rehabilitation involving additional protective rock reinforcement along the park’s southern waterfront.
Those shoreline projects are separate from the newly announced bathhouse replacement.
Although the state has confirmed the $4 million funding award, a construction start date and projected completion schedule have not been established in the information reviewed.
Officials have not provided a final project budget or specified whether additional municipal funding will be necessary.
It also remains unclear whether construction will affect public access to the swimming complex during a future summer season.
The planned replacement will address one of the oldest structures at Bowline Point Park while maintaining the property’s role as a recreational destination for Haverstraw residents and visitors.
Additional details about the project’s design, construction schedule and potential disruptions to park operations will depend on future announcements from state and town officials.