Improved Pedestrian Tunnel Reopens at Bear Mountain State Park

ALBANY, NY (06/05/2008)(readMedia)-- An improved passageway has reopened at Bear Mountain State Park, providing pedestrians with safer, easier access to the park’s pool and trailside zoo. The project is among the $2.8 million in improvements taking place at Bear Mountain State Park under a $132 million plan to jumpstart the revitalization of New York State Parks and Historic Sites.

“Across New York, projects are underway to rehabilitate deteriorated park and historic site facilities, develop new public use facilities, and protect natural resources,” said Governor David A. Paterson. “These stewardship projects will enable today’s patrons and generations that follow to continue to enjoy everything that Bear Mountain and all of our state parks have to offer.”

“Bear Mountain’s zoo and pool help draw more than a million patrons to the park, and the new tunnel will make it much easier and safer for young children, parents pushing strollers, seniors and the disabled to reach these popular features,” said New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Carol Ash said. “We hope the tunnel and other improvements at Bear Mountain will make our patrons’ visits more relaxing and enjoyable.”

The $1.27 million project, funded by the state Department of Transportation, led to the replacement of a steep staircase with ramps and an improved stairway to make it easier to navigate the nearly 26-foot change in elevation through the tunnel. The 454-foot-long tunnel, which takes pedestrians under Route 9W, had been closed since last September. In the interim, pedestrians have been directed to a crosswalk with a temporary stop light.

“Working cooperatively with the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, we have completed a project that will benefit visitors to Bear Mountain State Park for years to come,” State Department of Transportation Commissioner Astrid Glynn said. “With this rehabilitated pedestrian underpass, we are maintaining safety on Route 9W and providing an attractive link between the Hudson River and the popular upland facilities of Bear Mountain State Park.”

Elsewhere at Bear Mountain, $850,000 in roof renovations and fire protection improvements are slated for the Bear Mountain Inn and $210,000 is going toward replacing roofs at the bathhouse and a restroom in a converted ice house.

The $132 million parks revitalization initiative includes funds approved in the state budget this year by Governor Paterson and the Legislature. The investment marks the single largest infusion of capital funds in the history of state parks and will enable the state to begin addressing the extensive capital needs of the New York’s 178 state parks and 35 historic sites – needs that have been estimated at more than $650 million.

Other improvement projects in the State Parks Palisades Region include:

• $1 million to rehabilitate the Rockland Lake State Park pool system;

• $3.1 million to repair and reconstruct a portion of Seven Lakes Drive at Harriman State Park;

• $5 million for sewage collection and treatment systems at Harriman State Park;

• $235,000 to clean up soil and groundwater at a former industrial site at Bristol Beach State Park; and

• $250,000 to replace park building roofs at Rockland Lake State Park.

Each year, more than 55 million people visit New York State parks and historic sites, making them a key component of the tourism industry. A 2007 survey indicated that nearly 80 percent of park visitors participate in dining, shopping, or recreational activities outside the park during a park visit.

Bear Mountain State Park is situated in rugged mountains rising from the west bank of the Hudson River. The park features a large play field, shaded picnic groves, a dock on the Hudson for mooring small craft, lake and river fishing access, a swimming pool, a zoo, hiking, biking, and cross-country ski trails, ice skating and ski-jumps. The Perkins Memorial Tower atop Bear Mountain affords spectacular views of the park, the Hudson Highlands and Harriman State Park.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation administers 178 parks and 35 state historic sites. For more information about state parks and historic sites in New York, please visit www.nysparks.com.

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Posted Thursday June 05, 2008 at 01:52 pm by New York State Office of Parks & Recreation