The Hudson River Park Act was passed in 1998 and required the preparation of a sanctuary management plan to address the park’s 400 acres of estuary waters and supporting upland habitat. The plan was prepared in consultation with the public, government agencies, and other cooperating organizations. Under the direction of the Hudson River Park Trust, the Estuarine Sanctuary Management Plan (ESMP) was prepared to identify management policies for the sanctuary in the areas of resource protection, public access and recreation, education, and research. It also provides guidance on balancing the needs of various park uses, and identifies procedures for monitoring and enforcing park policies, laws, and regulations.

As part of the ESMP, the Trust has designated several marine and upland habitats to be protected, restored and created. Plans call for beach, marsh, and coastal strand restoration at the Gansevoort Peninsula and south of Pier 76. Additionally, the plan addresses the preservation of pile fields at Piers 32, 49, and 72; unique ecological piers being planned in the river at Piers 32 and 46; and below-surface oyster reefs under consideration to restore some of the extensive beds that once existed in the river to provide habitat, reduce high-energy currents, and lessen ship wakes throughout the bethnic and beach environments. Other potential ideas that will be explored to dissipate wave energy include beach orientation to face the currents, installing floating breakwaters with hanging cages for eel grass, and using tensar fencing with openings for fish migration.

Another habitat enhancing measure is to create new park landscapes that avoid monoculture and sterile landscapes through productive soils with mulch, duff and a diverse low, middle and high canopy. The goal is to build an environment that will encourage rich biological activity, particularly insect and bird rest, foraging, and nesting. The park will continue to emphasize lighting and paving that does not significantly impair vegetation or wildlife. Many of these goals are described in the ESMP.

The establishment of the sanctuary and, the opening of the Greenwich Village park area in 2003, and the completion of the ESMP in 2004 are already helping to improve the river environment. As more diversity in the river bottom, water column, coastal strand, and uplands becomes apparent through the ongoing development of the park, please enjoy this unique respite from the hustle and bustle of the world’s greatest city.