Our Parks

This page is still under development. Get in touch if you are interested to help with the design or copy.

Beacon

Madam Brett Park

Scenic Hudson Park at the Fishkill Creek estuary. Beautiful tidal flats, aquatic life, trail that connects to Dennings Point & Long Dock. Future connection to Fjord Trail and Beacon - Hopewell Junction Rail Trail.

Official Scenic Hudson park page

Address: South Ave, Beacon, NY 12508

Kayaking: Access from Hudson River/ Dennings Point under MTA tracks up to Tioronda Bridge / first rapids

Facilities: benches, no restrooms, accessible trail

Rocky Glen Park (The Gorge, Whites)

Spectacular City of Beacon linear park, canyon-like cliffs. Part of Beacon Greenway Heritage Trail

Address: 82 Mason Cir, Beacon NY 12508

Kayaking: No

Facilities: no benches, no restrooms, steep trail

Note: Entrance not marked. Park in designated visitor areas, follow chainlink fence “chute” around the parking lot until you get to above the dam. Follow the trail

Churchill St mini park

Small park with benches along Greenway trail and Fishkill Creek

Address: near 7 East Main Street, Beacon NY

Kayaking: No

Facilities: benches, no restrooms, accessible trail

Beekman

Water Quality Monitoring

Is the water safe? Number one question we hear. As part of the characterization project we are pulling all existing water quality data and exploring grants and opportunities to conduct water quality testing in the watershed. Last year we have successfully applied to be included into MUSS (Monitoring Unassessed Stream Segments), a DEC water quality testing program. Eight locations in upper and middle sections of the Fishkill Creek are sampled for over 30 parameters several times a year for two years. This will provide accurate water quality data that can assist with local land use planning, watershed management, and community outreach. We are developing a private well testing program. 2024 Beacon Institute Estuary Program grant application includes stream gauges installations to collect data for future flood and polution spread modelling.

Inland Waterway Designation

As a first effort in intermunicipal cooperation we’ve started pursuing Inland Waterway Designation for the Fishkill Creek. This New York State Department of State program helps communities protect the designated waterbody and revitalize the community. This designation will provide member communities with a number benefits: access to federal Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) funding, Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) grants including for planning, design, feasibility studies and construction projects, development and implementation of watershed management plans to protect and restore water quality and related resources. 

Legacy Dams Removals

Over a dozen defunct dams dot the main stem of the creek. They prevent aquatic life migration and make water too warm for many of the species, create life threatening hazards during extreme rain events among other negative impacts. Riverkeeper and DEC have active defunct dam removal programs in our area. We have been working with them towards identifying good candidates for removal, engaging with owners and communities. To learn more about dam removals please watch excellent film made by Riverkeeper, One Dam at a Time