in 1997, which reviewed potential uses and improvements to waterfront lands, and made recommendations concerning land use strategies for specific waterfront areas. Land use and design recommendations for the waterfront included such elements as: designing the entrance to Half Moon Bay as a two-lane road with an adjacent sidewalk, signage, a boulevard PAGE 69 CROTON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN treatment and trees; buffering adjacent railroad facilities with solid screen and plantings; rehabilitating the “picture tunnel” for pedestrian access; creating a ferry dock and terminal; and restoring Senasqua Park as an active recreational facility. Several development schemes for the Village Parcel were reviewed, including a conceptual site plan for a generic Dutch settlement Village, a railroad museum, or an interpretive center. Mooring of various ships, including the Clearwater and a replica of the Half Moon ship, were considered. The Greenway Vision Plan was incorporated as part of the Master Plan in 1997. Subsequent waterfront planning efforts have focused on the undeveloped waterfront property (Seprieo site), as described below. Croton Waterfront Feasibility Study (2000-2001) The Feasibility Study was prepared to examine potential recreational uses for the currently unused Village property north of the Croton Yacht Club (the former Seprieo property). The first draft of the study was undertaken to identify and evaluate alternative land use scenarios for the study area, and based on the analysis of environmental and socioeconomic issues, develop a preferred Waterfront Development Plan. It initially defined four alternative scenarios for the waterfront study area, described generally as follows: • • • • Alternative A: Passive Recreation with trails, picnic areas, possibly a visitors center Alternative B: Passive Recreation with water dependent uses (i.e., barge restaurant, marina, boat launch) Alternative C: Waterfront Recreation with on-land development, including restaurant, cultural center, marina, trails, and picnic area. Alternative D: Active sports recreation area with a ballfield, tennis courts, basketball, running track). The four alternatives were reviewed by the community. New York State Department of State (NYSDOS) also reviewed and provided input and a preferred alternative was developed. The following guiding principles were prepared for the formulation of the Proposed Waterfront Development Plan: • • • Comply with the policies of the Village of Croton-onHudson LWRP Serve as a model of environmentally sensitive design Create a community-based resource PAGE 70 CROTON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN • • • • • • • • • • • Expand on and comply with the mandates and land use strategies set forth in the recently adopted Greenway Vision Plan Create a commons or gathering space centered on a band shell or gazebo Expand and improve parking areas, both paved and unpaved Create various recreational areas for all age groups, maintaining open spaces for flexible uses Enhance and improve an existing underutilized launch for boats Commence the closure of an existing septic system at the CSX building and connect the building’s sanitary system to the new public sewer system and connect a new park building, if required, to the new system Eliminate an existing septic easement Install safety enhancements such as site lighting and continuous fence or barrier between the railroad and the park Comply with accessibility guidelines as specified in the Americans with Disabilities Act If possible, elevate the roadway to allow for emergency evacuation during flooding events Create a continuous waterfront access in the form of a trail or walkway The final draft of the Croton-on-Hudson Feasibility Study for the Village Waterfront Property, September 2001, describes each of the four alternatives, evaluates the relative advantages and disadvantages of each presents the preferred plan, as follows. Waterfront Development Feasibility Study, September 2001 The preferred alternative consists of the following key components: • Passive recreation areas: to include a picnic area, open lawns, a major flexible open space programmed for seasonal exhibits, outdoor sculpture, court games • Multiple use trails: jogging and walking trails to connect to the north cove to the north, and to the county trail system running from Croton Point Park north along the waterfront. • Visitors Center: conversion of the small building owned by CSX into a park-related building with Village and park information area, small offices, restroom facilities, snack bar or vending machines, bait shop, and storage of park equipment. A new small park building could be constructed in addition, or in lieu of, the converted CSX owned building PAGE 71 CROTON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN • A 3,000 square foot bandshell for cultural/community events • Beach/boat launch: Enhancement of the small existing beach area for a boat launch for small non-motorized watercraft • Stone Rip-rap: retention and enhancement of the existing stone rip-rap structure for shore stabilization. • 4,000-square foot fenced playground area with play structure • Development of an adjacent area for court-type games targeted for the elderly (i.e., horseshoes and bocce). • Above-ground stormwater management system, including a series of natural storm water treatment devices