Thanks to a $20 million bequest from philanthropist Kathryn Wasserman Davis, born in 1907, Scenic Hudson will buy more land to create public parks up and down the Hudson River.
The Tarrytown-based environmental group has immediate access to $5 million of the money through an interest-free loan available through the Pew Charitable Trust. Scenic Hudson estimates it will cost $500 million to complete its ambitious land program, and Davis”™ gift has helped move the nonprofit a few steps forward in reaching the goal.
Davis lives in Tarrytown and is an ardent fan of the Hudson River landscape. She also kayaks for fun and even enjoys the sport with vigor. She chose Scenic Hudson as the conduit to restore Hudson River views in both Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow and to help buy additional land for open space throughout the valley.
Davis”™ affection for one of the world”™s most famous rivers began when she lived at International House on Manhattan”™s Riverside Drive with her husband, Shelby Cullum Davis. She had a front-row seat when construction of the George Washington Bridge began. After moving to Westchester County and settling in Tarrytown, Davis took up kayaking, which raised her concern about preserving the shoreline. She hopes future generations will be able to enjoy it as she does.
“We”™re working to get ahead of a wave of unchecked, unplanned development,” said Ned Sullivan, Scenic Hudson”™s president. Sullivan, who worked in the banking industry prior to moving to Scenic Hudson, directed several well-known projects, including developing strategy and legislation to finance the cleanup of Boston Harbor.
Sullivan says working with the Pew Charitable Trust will make “Mrs. Davis”™ amazing gift and ambitious goal of preserving critical parcels of land along the river” come to fruition.
“She is truly an inspiration and a leader in protecting the Hudson Valley”™s stunning landscape and unique history,” said Rebecca Rimel, president and CEO of Pew Charitable Trusts. “We are thrilled to partner with such an important philanthropist.”
Of the initial $5 million, $1 million will be used in conjunction with funding from the village of Tarrytown and developer Ferry Landings L.L.C. to create River Walk Park at Tarrytown. Plans include removal of an asphalt plant that has blocked access to the river for nearly a century.
Scenic Hudson says the new riverfront park will create a critical link to Westchester”™s River Walk, which is to extend from the southern tip of Yonkers to the northern end of Peekskill.
The remaining $4 million is targeted for Sleepy Hollow”™s historic bathhouse at Kingsland Point Park and acquisition of adjacent parkland that will be known as Lighthouse Landing. A pedestrian bridge will increase public access to both the park and riverfront.
The bathhouse is owned by Westchester County and operated by the village of Sleepy Hollow. It is planned as a “center of activity for the park,” says Scenic Hudson.
The remaining $15 million of Davis”™ gift will be used to acquire land along the river for use as public open space throughout the Hudson Valley.
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