The Village of Nyack is excited to announce a significant yearlong restoration and improvement project for our beloved Memorial Park, situated along the scenic Hudson River waterfront. While this initiative will temporarily close parts of the park for most of 2024, it promises to bring lasting benefits to the residents of Nyack and Rockland County.
We invite you to join us in celebrating the groundbreaking of this project on January 18th, 2024, at 2 PM at the Gazebo. We will be joined by representatives from the County government, including County Executive Ed Day, who provided the funding for this essential work. Our Village Government, along with the dedicated members of our Nyack Parks Commission and Nyack Parks Conservancy, will also be present at this event.
Here is an overview of the project’s key aspects, presented in a FAQ format:
Q. What improvements are we making?
We are undertaking extensive improvements, including:
Great Lawn Restoration: A comprehensive restoration of the Great Lawn, including re-seeding to its roots, will take place. This will involve the entire lawn, including the small baseball field and the pathway from Piermont Avenue down to the lawn.
ADA Access Road and Entry Gate: The creation of an ADA-compliant access road from the parking lot to the playground and bathrooms, along with an ADA pathway to the Splash Pad.
Playground Resurfacing Project: Safety surfacing will be installed in certain playground areas, while others will continue to have woodchips. All fall zones will have safety surfacing.
Playground Equipment: Installation of a new playground for 2–5-year-olds, relocation of the entry gate, and construction of a new ADA asphalt walkway within the playground area.
Q. What parts of the park will remain open during the work?
During the construction, the public will still have access to several park features, including the upper park lawn along Piermont Avenue, the public bathrooms near the Playground, the basketball court, the skatepark, the gazebo, the waterfront picnic area, the viewing pier, and the pathway entrance from the Marina Parking Lot.
Q. Which parts of the park will be closed, and for how long?
The Great Lawn will be closed for re-seeding, expected to begin after April 15, 2024, and will remain closed until at least September to allow the new grass to establish. The exact reopening date depends on weather conditions and other factors.
The Playground will be closed from mid-January and is expected to reopen in April or May.
Q. What about the Fourth of July Fireworks?
The Great Lawn is unlikely to be open for the Fourth of July fireworks. However, the fireworks show will be moved offshore to a barge in the Hudson, expanding the viewing area and making them visible from various park locations, including the waterfront picnic area, Memorial Park parking lot, basketball court, skatepark, Playground, and parts of the Marina Parking Lot.
Q. What about the summer “Music on the Hudson” concerts?
The “Music on the Hudson” series will likely continue, but it will be hosted on the upper lawn of Memorial Park.
Q. How is it being funded?
This project is fully funded through the county’s Rockland Resilient Recreation Grant Program, which received funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. The Village of Nyack received nearly $795,000 in ARPA funds for Memorial Park Improvements.
Q. Who is performing the work?
The project was awarded through competitive bidding to Paladino Concrete Creations, with design work by H2M Architects and Engineers.
Q. Who made the decisions about the work?
Decisions regarding Memorial Park improvements were made collaboratively by the Village administration, the Village Board, and the Nyack Parks Commission, in coordination with Rockland County government, which provided funding. Public input from multiple Village Board meetings throughout 2023 played a significant role in guiding these decisions.
We look forward to the transformative improvements this project will bring to Memorial Park and appreciate the support of our community and the County of Rockland. Stay tuned for updates in our weekly newsletter regarding any changes to the schedule. Let’s make our park even more beautiful and accessible for everyone to enjoy!