Mine Dock Park

Highland Falls, NY 

Scenic Hudson Mine Dock Park is a new and welcome addition to the series of public access points along the Hudson River, and one of few on the west bank of the river within the Hudson Highlands. It is the only public access point in the Town of Highlands, providing breathtaking water’s edge views of the surroundings and Bear Mountain Bridge. The park provides for picnicking, bird watching, train spotting, and water access for human-powered craft as well as launching for emergency services rescue boats.

Mine Dock Park is situated on a 10.6-acre parcel that was previously a private marina. The park connects the surrounding community to the river and to Fort Montgomery State Historic Site and the Bear Mountain State Park.

River Architects was hired by the Friends of Mine Dock Park to design specific improvements to the parking and kayak launch funded by a grant provided by the Hudson River Watertrail Association. The design intent is to provide parking improvements, interpretive signage, porous paving, and handicapped launching of water craft.

River Architects’ Scope of Work expanded to include a Master Plan for the park, looking beyond the objectives of the original Watertrail Association grant. The Master Plan places the park in context with the adjacent Palisades Park properties, improved circulation and site functionality, resilience within the flood zone, and site-wide universal design objectives. Design considerations include educational, cultural, and shoreline restoration goals.