River and Bay are very popular for recreational fishing; it is one of the recognized hot spots for striped bass in the Hudson River. Locally significant numbers of waterfowl can be seen in the area during spring and fall migrations. Haverstraw Bay Significant Fish and Wildlife Habitat Haverstraw Bay encompasses both sides of the Hudson over a sixmile reach, in the widest section of the Hudson River estuary. The Bay includes extensive shallow areas and is a place where the freshwater from the upper river mixes with the salt water from the Atlantic, producing a predominantly brackish water habitat. Despite various disturbances (including dredging, filling, bulkheading, waste disposal, and pollution from both sides of the river), Haverstraw Bay remains one of the most important fish and wildlife habitats in the Hudson River estuary. Hudson River Critical Environmental Area The Village property (former Seprieo site) along the Hudson River is located within the Haverstraw Bay Significant Fish and Wildlife Habitat, as described above. The property is also designated a Critical Environmental Area (CEA) because of the history, ecology, scenery, and recreational opportunities associated with the shoreline. Groundwater Resources The Village is also located immediately adjacent to the Croton and Kensico Watersheds of the Croton Aquifer System. The Croton River, which forms the southern boundary of Croton-on-Hudson, has a drainage area of 375 square miles; this river is the PAGE 20 CROTON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN predominant source of groundwater supply for the Croton-onHudson well system. The Village’s wells tap into sand and gravel aquifers along the Croton Basin, just northeast of Black Rock Park; this groundwater provides a local source of clean water. Floodplain Low lying areas adjacent to the Hudson River and the Croton River and Bay are within the 100-year floodplain of the Village, which falls below elevation 8. The potential for flooding of these areas must be taken into account during any development/construction of these areas. e. Scenic Resources Croton-on-Hudson is located within the Hudson Highlands Scenic Area of Statewide Significance (SASS), which encompasses Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester Counties. Designation as SASS provides protection from potentially adverse Federal or State actions which may impair the scenic quality of the resource. Under NYS Department of State's Coastal Management Program, six such areas have been designated in the Hudson Valley. f. Open Space, Parks and Recreational Resources The extensive network of parks, trails and open space throughout Croton-on-Hudson takes up almost one-half (45%) of the Village’s land area. Although not all open space is available for public recreation or use (utility and transportation sites, privately owned vacant undeveloped lands, and common space areas at residential developments), this extensive and varied network of open space contributes to the semi-rural character and open vistas of the Village (see Figures 3.2: County and State Roads and Parks and 3.3: Existing Parks and Open Space). Looking south along Hudson River, from Village waterfront property PAGE 21 CROTON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Table 3.1: Croton-on-Hudson Open Space Acreage Type of open space Acres Village parks and public spaces 54.5 County parks (Croton Point Park and Paradise Island) 526.0 Nature Preserves 133.2 Institutional Space (includes schools, libraries, Municipal Building, Temple Israel, Bethel Cemetery, and Van Cortlandt Manor) 109.0 Private recreational space (includes Hudson National Golf Course, and common open space within private residential developments) 297.0 Utilities and transportation rights-of-way (Con Ed power lines, Metro North Right-ofway, village well sites and utility site) 152.0 Vacant undeveloped lands 110.0 1,381.7 TOTAL OPEN SPACE ACREAGE PAGE 22 Village of Croton-On-Hudson, NY 0 1.0 Figure 3.2. County and State Roads and Parks 2.0 miles BFJ Buckhurst Fish & Jacquemart, Inc. Source: Westchester County Major Open Spaces Map 23 Village of Croton-On-Hudson, NY Figure 3.3. Existing Parks and Open Space Source: Croton Conservation Advisory Council 2000 24 CROTON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Village- and County-owned parks, private nature preserves, private recreational facilities and open space linked to educational and religious institutions constitute 35% of existing open space in the Village. Another three percent (3%) consist of vacant, currently undeveloped lands. Parks and Recreational Facilities. The following tables illustrate the diversity of existing park and recreational facilities in the Village, including Village- and County-owned facilities, nature preserves and private recreation. Table 3.2: Village and School District Parks and Recreational Facilities Size (acres) Special Features and Activities Offered Name and Location Dobbs Park Maple Street/Route 129 Duck Pond Park Bungalow Road, off S. Riverside Avenue Senasqua Park Waterfront park along Hudson River Senasqua Boat Basin Adjacent to Senasqua Park 1.9 • baseball field • basketball court • playground • baseball field 2.7 • basketball court • playground • ice skating on pond in winter Dobbs Park, Upper Village • boat launch ramp • movies and evening concerts during the summer 4.6 • picnicking • windsurfing • playground N/a • provides mooring and storage space • sailing lessons available