COLUMBIA-GREENE NORTH SCENIC AREA OF STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCE
COLUMBIA-GREENE NORTH SCENIC AREA OF STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCE
I. LOCATION
The Columbia-Greene North Scenic Area of Statewide Significance (SASS) extends about 15 miles along the Hudson River from the vicinity of Schodack Landing in southern Rensselaer County and Coeymans hamlet in southern Albany County southward to just north of the City of Hudson in Columbia County and to the northern boundary of the Village of Athens in Greene County. The scenic area's east and west boundaries generally follow the State coastal boundary with some variations.
On the western shore of the Hudson River the northern boundary of the SASS begins at the mouth of the Coeymans Creek in the Town of Coeymans and follows Stone House Road on the north side of the creek to the intersection with the coastal boundary, NY Route 144. The northern boundary extends east across the Hudson to the Albany-Rensselaer County line, follows the county line north before turning northeast to encompass the northern portion of Lower Schodack Island, then continues across Upper Schodack Island to join the coastal boundary on the eastern bank of the Hudson at the intersection of NY Route 9J and Knickerbocker Road.
The western boundary of the SASS generally follows the coastal boundary along NY Routes 144, 61 and 385, except where the coastal boundary reaches west of Route 61 in the Town and Village of Coxsackie.
The southern boundary in Greene County is the northern boundary of the Village of Athens. The boundary then follows the eastern shoreline of Middle Ground Flats until it is across the Hudson from the North Bay outlet under the railroad tracks on the eastern shore. The boundary then crosses the river and runs through the outlet, continuing up the east bank of the Hudson to Gifford Parkway in the Town of Greenport, just north of the City of Hudson's northern boundary.
The eastern boundary follows the coastal boundary along NY Routes 9J and 9 beginning in the north at Knickerbocker Road north of Schodack Landing. In the south the SASS boundary follows the coastal boundary along Joslen Boulevard in the Town of Greenport to its intersection with Cedar Parkway, follows Cedar Parkway to the intersection with Riverview Boulevard, then follows Riverview Boulevard to Gifford Parkway, the southern boundary of the SASS.
The Columbia-Greene North SASS is located in the following municipalities: the Town of Coeymans, Albany County; the Town of Schodack, Rensselaer County; the Towns of New Baltimore, Coxsackie and Athens and the Village of Coxsackie, Greene County; and in the Towns of Stuyvesant, Stockport and Greenport, Columbia County. Consult the Columbia-Greene North SASS Map for the SASS boundaries.
II. DESCRIPTION
The Columbia-Greene North SASS is comprised of 29 subunits:
CGN-1 Coeymans Hamlet Waterfront, CGN-2 Hannacrois Creek Outlet, CGN-3 New Baltimore Hamlet, CGN-4 Islands, CGN-5 Otter Hook, CGN-6 Coxsackie Creek, CGN-7 Coxsackie Island, CGN-8 Coxsackie Farmland, CGN-9 Coxsackie Village, CGN-10 Lampman Hill, CGN-11 Vosburgh Swamp, CGN-12 Athens-Coxsackie Farmland, CGN-13 Schodack Landing, CGN-14 Stuyvesant Farms, CGN-15 Poolsburg, CGN-16 Stuyvesant Woods, CGN-17 Mill Creek Marsh, CGN-18 Stuyvesant Landing, CGN-19 Sheffer, CGN-20 Stuyvesant Hamlet, CGN-21 Stuyvesant Ravine, CGN-22 Nutten Hook Farms, CGN-23 Nutten Hook, CGN-24 Stockport Flats, CGN-25 Newton Hook Ravine, CGN-26 Judson Farms, CGN-27 Columbiaville, CGN-28 Stottville Farms, and CGN-29 Stockport Creek.
The SASS constitutes a predominantly rural area of low bluffs and ravines, flanked on the west shore by narrow alluvial plains and on the east shore, by a broader plateau. It is a quiet, pastoral area of working farms and river landings which has changed little since the 19th century. Because most of the land visible from the Hudson River is either inaccessible, too steep or too wet to build upon, the river corridor remains in a predominantly natural state. Early European settlers of the area were primarily Dutch immigrants who migrated south from Rensselaerwyck manor because they wanted to own property rather than be tenant farmers on the manor which spanned both sides of the Hudson River to the north. The Dutch purchased land from the resident Indians and laid out their farms quite isolated from each other. Landings along the Hudson River were the only clustered settlements initially, their commerce being the transfer of lumber, furs and farm produce from land to water. The Hudson River was the main transportation artery to the cities now called Albany and New York. Grist mills and lumber mills were constructed on the tributaries where the water tumbled over falls and plunged through steep ravines to the Hudson River.
The Dutch were later joined by migrating New Englanders and British soldiers who chose to remain in the New World. Although several industries primarily related to the Hudson River and water transport were established along the shores, farming was the primary occupation. When ice harvesting flourished in the 19th century, it provided winter employment for the farmers and their farmhands. Later industries took advantage of the abundant water power of the creeks, then were abandoned as larger industrial centers developed, leaving the landscape primarily rural again.
The development pattern of the Columbia-Greene North SASS is essentially the same today, comprising large stretches of pastoral landscape broken by river landings which have grown to hamlets or incorporated villages. There is a stimulating mix of land uses: the historic hamlets of New Baltimore and Stuyvesant and the village of Coxsackie; semi-wild regions of dense forest and marsh; and an intervening farm landscape of pasture, orchards and fields. A strong contrast remains between the tight village centers and adjoining woods and fields, with little blurring of the edges. The traditional close relationship of the settlements to the Hudson is also intact. Areas and individual structures of particular historic and cultural interest exist, but most must yet be surveyed to determine their eligibility for the National and State Registers of Historic Places.
The SASS is a unified landscape, its visual integrity resulting from development closely tied to specific characteristics of the land. The landscape exhibits great visual variety and contrast in landform and vegetation, unified by an underlying cultural pattern which provides a visible logic to the organization, location and design of scenic elements.
Along with the internal cultural unity of the area, the setting unifies this distinctive landscape. The Hudson River is the dominant element on the landscape and can be seen from many locations. It ranges from 1,000 to 4,000 feet wide. In the northern portion of the SASS, islands divide the Hudson into narrow sections of a friendlier, less imposing character.
Once tied to each other by ferries, each shore of the river now appears unattainable from the opposite bank, intriguing viewers with what may lie in the distant landscape. In panoramic views where the Hudson is not visible, landscapes of similar quality and character on each bank of the river appear as a single expanse. The distant Taconic Hills and Catskill Mountains provide dramatic backdrops to the open fields and orchards. Along with the traditional development patterns, these background elements give a strong sense of place to this portion of the Hudson River corridor. In addition, many intimate compositions abound which focus on clusters of historic farm buildings, streams folded in ravines and deep woodland landscapes.
III. AESTHETIC SIGNIFICANCE
The Columbia-Greene North SASS is of statewide aesthetic significance by virtue of the combined aesthetic values of landscape character, uniqueness, public accessibility and public recognition. There exists in the SASS unusual variety as well as unity of major components and striking contrasts between line, forms, textures and colors. The SASS is generally free from discordant features. It is both visually and physically accessible to the general public, but public recognition is limited primarily to local residents and travelers on the State and local highways. Perhaps because development pressures have not been present to the extent experienced in the rest of the Hudson Valley, most of the historic and natural resources have not been subject to the types of survey and evaluation which leads to recognition through government designations.
A. Landscape Character
1. Variety
The Columbia-Greene North SASS exhibits an unusual variety of major components. The landform is composed of alluvial plains and steep bluffs along the Hudson River, especially around several small drumlin-like hills along the east shore. Behind the bluffs lie expansive level plains cut by ravines through which several creeks flow before emptying into the Hudson River. The shoreline of the Hudson is extremely varied, incorporating a number of large and small islands, coves, mud flats and creek mouths.
Vegetation ranges from dense hardwood forest along the bluffs and ravines to tilled fields, orchards and meadows of the working farms. Wetland species cover the river flats, and street trees and gardens decorate the river landings. Lawns line the river in the settled areas.
There is a wide variety of water elements. The Hudson River ranges in width from 1000 to 4000 feet, in some locations appearing as a formidable body of water and in others as a manageable stream where it divides to flow around large islands. Creeks contain placid pools as well as waterfalls tumbling off bluffs and over piles of rocks.
Views include panoramic vistas 180 degrees in breadth that unite both shores into a single landscape and reach to the Catskill Mountains and Taconic Hills. Clusters of farm buildings and significant trees provide focal points in these broad sweeps of pastoral countryside. More intimate views vary from narrow compositions of stream corridors lined with rock walls to tunnel views through dense woodland with the Hudson River glistening in the distance. Other glimpses of the Hudson are framed by the street trees and historic buildings of the river landings.
Of interest in the views are the varied ephemeral effects of wildlife in the marshlands and forests, the operations and livestock of the working farms and the variety of vessels which pass along the Hudson. Occasional trains travel the eastern shore, bringing a fleeting mechanistic touch of technology to the scene.
2. Unity
The variety of components is unified by the predominantly rural landscape, the dominant presence of the Hudson River and the development pattern which creates edges between clustered settlements and the adjacent rolling open lands. The cultural character of the landscape still reflects its historic development which was centered first on the commerce of the river and the use of waterpower for early industries. In the hamlets the historic structures are compatible with each other and their setting. In the working landscape the farm operations respect the natural contours of the topography.
Along the river corridor the bluffs, marshes and flood plains remain generally undeveloped, giving a consistent natural character to the corridor. Where once ferries tied the two shores of the Hudson together, they are now connected by the common viewshed and similar landform of vistas to both the east and the west.
3. Contrast
Contrast is provided among the colors and textures of the varied vegetation, by the drama of the steep bluffs contrasting with the expansive plateau and Hudson River, and between the hard, rugged rock faces of ravines and the placid pools and shimmering waterfalls of the creeks which they line. Clusters of farm buildings and significant trees provide vertical elements in areas of broad, flat expanses. Sharp edges exist between the settled river landings and the adjacent farm fields and forests. The Catskill Mountains and Taconic Hills stand as distant sentinels, marking the edge of the generally level valley and providing a dramatic backdrop for the panoramic views.
4. Freedom from Discordant Features
The SASS as a whole is generally free from discordant features. Although there are some instances of structural blight in the river landings, many historic houses have been restored and the landscape is well maintained overall. The railroad tracks along the east bank of the Hudson are discordant in certain perspectives, for instance when they appear in the foreground of views, but they blend into the landscape where they closely follow the shoreline or when seen from locations removed from the right-of-way.
B. Uniqueness
The river landings are unique in their strong sense of place and orientation to the Hudson River.
The remains of the R. and W. Scott Ice Company Powerhouse and Ice House at Nutten Hook are unique as the most complete industrial ruins of the Hudson River ice industry in the region. They remain as a reminder that the Hudson's northern corridor once was lined with icehouses, power generating stations and shipping terminals.
The landscapes in the CGN-9 Coxsackie Village, CGN-13 Schodack, CGN-14 Stuyvesant Farms, CGN-22 Nutten Hook Farms, CGN-23 Nutten Hook, CGN-29 Lampman Hill and CGN-13 Schodack Landing subunits of the SASS are unique landscapes.
C. Public Accessibility
The SASS is visible to the general public from the Hudson River and the railroad trains which run along the Hudson's eastern shore; from NY Routes 144, 61, 385, 9J and 9; and from a network of local roads. Municipal parks and State-owned shorelands allow the public to reach the shore in some places, although the railroad tracks constitute a formidable barrier on the eastern shore. Boat launches are more plentiful on the western shore, but the Stockport Flats portion of the National Estuarine Sanctuary and Research Reserve on the eastern shore provides significant access for launching small boats and observing Hudson River wildlife.
D. Public Recognition
Public recognition is limited for the most part to local residents and travelers along the State and local highways. There is, however, evidence of the growing public awareness of the value of this landscape. The following highway segments are designated Scenic Roads under Article 49 of the Environmental Conservation Law: NY Route 61 from the Village of Coxsackie north 5.03 miles; NY Route 385 from the Village of Coxsackie south 3.48 miles; and NY Route 9J from its junction with Brickyard Road in Stockport south .38 mile and in Stuyvesant, from its junction with County Route 23A north 1.67 miles.
The following properties and districts are listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places: the Ariaanje Coeymans House in Coeymans, the Reed Street Historic District in the Village of Coxsackie, the Schodack Landing Historic District in Schodack Landing and the R. and W. Scott Ice Company Powerhouse and Ice House Site in Nutten Hook.
The following lands are in public ownership: the municipal parks in Coeymans, New Baltimore and Coxsackie; an 85 acre forest preserve detached parcel bordering Coxsackie Creek in New Baltimore; the State boat launch in the Village of Coxsackie; Nutten Hook and a portion of Stockport Flats in Stockport; Houghtaling Island in New Baltimore; and the Lower and Upper Schodack Islands in Stuyvesant.
IV. IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Whether within or outside a designated SASS, all proposed actions subject to review under federal and State coastal acts or a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program must be assessed to determine whether the action could affect a scenic resource and whether the action would be likely to impair the scenic beauty of the scenic resource.
Policy 24 provides that when considering a proposed action, agencies shall first determine whether the action could affect a scenic resource of statewide significance. The determination would involve:
(1) a review of the coastal area map to ascertain if it shows an identified scenic resource which could be affected by the proposed action, and
(2) a review of the types of activities proposed to determine if they would be likely to impair the scenic beauty of an identified resource.
Impairment includes:
(i) the irreversible modification of geologic forms; the destruction or removal of vegetation; the modification, destruction, or removal of structures, whenever the geologic forms, vegetation or structures are significant to the scenic quality of an identified resource; and
(ii) the addition of structures which because of siting or scale will reduce identified views or which because of scale, form, or materials will diminish the scenic quality of an identified resource.
Policy 24 sets forth certain siting and facility-related guidelines to be used to achieve the policy, recognizing that each development situation is unique and that the guidelines will have to be applied accordingly. The guidelines are set forth below, together with comments regarding their particular applicability to this Scenic Area of Statewide Significance. In applying these guidelines to agricultural land it must be recognized that the overall scenic quality of the landscape is reliant on an active and viable agricultural industry. This requires that farmers be allowed the flexibility to farm the land in an economically viable fashion, incorporating modern techniques, changes in farm operation and resultant changes in farm structures. Policy 24 guidelines include:
SITING STRUCTURES AND OTHER DEVELOPMENT SUCH AS HIGHWAYS, POWERLINES, AND SIGNS BACK FROM SHORELINES OR IN OTHER INCONSPICUOUS LOCATIONS TO MAINTAIN THE ATTRACTIVE QUALITY OF THE SHORELINE AND TO RETAIN VIEWS TO AND FROM THE SHORE;
COMMENT: The Columbia-Greene North SASS is unified by the predominantly natural character of the Hudson River corridor which consists of forested bluffs, extensive wetlands and clustered river landings. The upland is a predominantly rural landscape of working farms and forested areas. The introduction of structures and other development such as highways, power lines, and signs within the river corridor, in the open farm landscape, in the river landings or in other conspicuous places would alter the unifying elements of the landscape and impair the aesthetic quality of the SASS.
The shoreline of the Hudson provides variety and interest to the SASS through its undulating shoreline composed of creek mouths, coves, wetlands and islands. The juxtaposition of the steep bluffs with the level expanse of the river's water surface also provides contrast. The alteration or interruption of these natural linear features and essential relationships through introduction of manufactured elements would disrupt the relationships and reduce contrast, impairing the scenic quality of the shoreline.
Views from one side of the river to the other unify the landscape and often make the two shores of the Hudson appear as one, since their nature is essentially the same. The SASS is generally free of discordant features. Interruption of these views or blocking these views with highways, power lines, signs and other structures in conspicuous locations would introduce manufactured elements into a predominantly natural landscape. Such structures would constitute discordant features and would reduce the unity of the landscape, impairing the scenic quality of the views. In certain circumstances and from certain perspectives, such structures could block views, particularly the intimate interior views and tunnel views to the Hudson along the bluffs on the eastern shore, destroying some of the contributing scenic components of the SASS.
CLUSTERING OR ORIENTING STRUCTURES TO RETAIN VIEWS, SAVE OPEN SPACE AND PROVIDE VISUAL ORGANIZATION TO A DEVELOPMENT;
COMMENT: The SASS is predominantly a rural landscape of working farms, pastures, fields and forests. Its aesthetic significance involves in part the continuation of this historic land use in a relatively unchanged condition. Because of this open nature of the landscape, panoramic vistas 180 degrees in breadth are common. In addition, the historic settlement pattern is one of tightly clustered hamlets surrounded by the open rural landscape and a visual organization of clear edges between developed centers and adjacent undeveloped spaces.
Introduction of new structures unrelated to farming operations into the farm landscape would alter the pastoral nature of the landscape and impair the aesthetic significance of the SASS. They could also reduce the amount of open space and reduce the breadth of the views which contribute significantly to the scenic quality of the SASS. The spread of new development in an unclustered, sprawling manner would obliterate the edge between clustered development centers and the surrounding open landscape and change the cultural pattern of development, reducing unity and contrast in the landscape composition and thus reducing the scenic quality of the landscape.
INCORPORATING SOUND, EXISTING STRUCTURES (ESPECIALLY HISTORIC BUILDINGS) INTO THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME;
COMMENT: Some of the historic structures in the SASS have been recognized through listing on the National and State Registers of Historic Places. There are many historic structures which are not listed but which may be eligible for listing. Surveys have yet to be done regarding their historic significance. Farm complexes are of particular importance to the SASS. They provide focal points in the panoramic views across the fields and provide a sense of scale for the views. The river landings contain important groupings of structures which are well related to one another and to the topography.
Failure to incorporate sound, existing structures into the overall development scheme could lead to the loss of historic structures and groupings of structures which contribute to the scenic quality and aesthetic significance of the SASS. Such structures and groupings of structures are focal points in views or frame views of the SASS. Failure to design and site new structures in the development in a manner compatible with the existing structures could destroy the unity of SASS composition and introduce discordant features in a landscape generally free of discordant features, thus impairing the scenic quality of the SASS.
REMOVING DETERIORATED AND/OR DEGRADING ELEMENTS;
COMMENT: The SASS is generally free of discordant features. However, some structures are in a deteriorated condition. Rehabilitation of salvageable historic structures could enhance the scenic quality of the SASS. Removal or screening of degrading elements which cannot be rehabilitated would also enhance the SASS. However, a determination of the historic value of a structure or remains of a structure should be determined before a course of action is chosen, however.
MAINTAINING OR RESTORING THE ORIGINAL LAND FORM, EXCEPT WHEN CHANGES SCREEN UNATTRACTIVE ELEMENTS AND/OR ADD APPROPRIATE INTEREST;
COMMENT: The Columbia-Greene North SASS contains four dominant topographical characteristics: steep bluffs along the Hudson River, drumlin-like hills along the east shore of the Hudson, broad alluvial plains behind the bluffs and steep ravines traversing the plains. Most remain undisturbed. Maintenance of these major land forms will contribute to preserving the scenic quality and aesthetic significance of the SASS.
MAINTAINING OR ADDING VEGETATION TO PROVIDE INTEREST, ENCOURAGE THE PRESENCE OF WILDLIFE, BLEND STRUCTURES INTO THE SITE, AND OBSCURE UNATTRACTIVE ELEMENTS, EXCEPT WHEN SELECTIVE CLEARING REMOVES UNSIGHTLY, DISEASED OR HAZARDOUS VEGETATION AND WHEN SELECTIVE CLEARING CREATES VIEWS OF COASTAL WATERS;
COMMENT: Vegetation in the Columbia-Greene North SASS ranges from dense hardwood forest along the bluffs and ravines to tilled fields, orchards and meadows of the working farms. Wetland species cover the river flats, and street trees and gardens decorate the river landings. Lawns line the river in the settled areas. The forested bluffs create a verdant corridor for the Hudson River. Tunnel views down the roads through these forests focus on the Hudson River glistening at the end like a distant light. These are important intimate interior views. Although clearing of vegetation in these areas would open broader views to the Hudson, the peculiar intriguing nature of these enclosed views, a unique element of the SASS, would be lost.
The forests in the ravines provide a contrast to the surrounding open fields and pastures, contributing to the textural variety of the SASS. Specimen trees in the fields provide focal points in panoramic views. Loss of these trees would reduce the degree of contrast and variety of the SASS, impairing its scenic quality.
Retention of the forests presents opportunities for screening new structures and blending them into the landscape, thus retaining the open, rural character of the SASS which is a significant contributor to its scenic quality.
The orderly plantings of street trees and gardens and the manicured lawns are contributing elements to the distinctive scenic character of the river landings. They frame views, unite the varied architectural styles and soften the developed nature of the hamlets. Failure to maintain existing and replace lost vegetation would impair the unique character of these settled population centers.
Since the State and local road network is an important means of access to the SASS, failure to maintain views from the rights-of-way through selective clearing would reduce this visual access.
The presence of wildlife and farm animals is an ephemeral characteristic which enhances the scenic quality of the SASS. Loss of the wetland vegetation, forests and pasture which sustain them would lead to the loss of the ephemeral elements, reducing the visual interest and, consequently, the scenic quality of the SASS.
USING APPROPRIATE MATERIALS, IN ADDITION TO VEGETATION, TO SCREEN UNATTRACTIVE ELEMENTS;
COMMENT: The SASS is generally free of discordant features. Failure to use colors, materials and textures which blend into the landscape could contribute discordant features to the landscape, alter the composition of views through introduction of discordant focal points and change the rural character of the landscape to the extent that the aesthetic significance of the SASS would be impaired.
USING APPROPRIATE SCALES, FORMS AND MATERIALS TO ENSURE THAT BUILDINGS AND OTHER STRUCTURES ARE COMPATIBLE WITH AND ADD INTEREST TO THE LANDSCAPE.
COMMENT: The SASS is predominantly horizontal in nature, yielding views 180 degrees in breadth. Historic structures in the subunit are generally low-rise domestic and farm buildings. Introduction of large scale or bulky structures or structures made of materials that are reflective or of a color that stands out in the landscape would disrupt the horizontal nature of the landscape, add new focal points to views which would distract from the historic focal points and change the composition of views. This would reduce the unity of the landscape and introduce discordant features, impairing the scenic quality of the SASS.
Columbia - Greene North Scenic Area of Statewide Significance
Index to Columbia- Greene North Subunits
CGN-1 Coeymans Hamlet Waterfront Subunit
CGN-2 Hannacrois Creek Outlet Subunit
CGN-3 New Baltimore Hamlet Subunit
CGN-7 Coxsackie Island Subunit
CGN-8 Coxsackie Farmland Subunit
CGN-9 Coxsackie Village Subunit
CGN-12 Athens-Coxsackie Farmland Subunit
CGN-13 Schodack Landing Subunit
CGN-14 Stuyvesant Farms Subunit
CGN-16 Stuyvesant Woods Subunit
CGN-17 Mill Creek Marsh Subunit
CGN-18 Stuyvesant Landing Subunit
CGN-20 Stuyvesant Hamlet Subunit
CGN-21 Stuyvesant Ravine Subunit
CGN-22 Nutten Hook Farms Subunit
CGN-24 Stockport Flats Subunit
CGN-25 Newton Hook Ravine Subunit
CGN-28 Stottville Farms Subunit
CGN-29 Stockport Creek Subunit
COLUMBIA-GREENE NORTH SCENIC AREA OF STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCE
CGN-1 Coeymans Hamlet Waterfront Subunit
I. Location
The Coeymans Hamlet Waterfront subunit encompasses the easterly portion of the hamlet of Coeymans and the portion of the Hudson River that borders it. Its northern boundary, which is also the northern boundary of the SASS, begins at the intersection of Stone House Road and NY Route 144 and follows Stone House Road to the mouth of the Coeymans Creek, then extends eastward to the shore of Lower Schodack Island in the Hudson River. The western boundary follows NY Route 144. The southern boundary, a common boundary with the CGN-2 Hannacrois Creek Outlet subunit, stretches from Route 144 eastward to touch the northern tip of Barren Island. Its eastern boundary is the mean high tide line on the western shore of Lower Schodack Island. The subunit is located in the Town of Coeymans, Albany County, and the Town of Schodack, Rensselaer County. Consult the Columbia-Greene North SASS map sheet number 1 for subunit boundaries.
II. Scenic Components
A. Physical Character
The topography of the subunit is composed of a low bluff and a flat alluvial plain. The street trees and lawns of the hamlet provide a pleasing contrast with the natural vegetation of the surrounding forest and low-lying marsh lands. Water is a dominant feature in the subunit. The winding Coeymans Creek enters the Hudson River north of the hamlet center. It empties into a shallow tidal cove which creates a gently curving shoreline. A dike/breakwater lies offshore. The Hudson is approximately 1500 feet wide between the hamlet and Lower Schodack Island, located in the CGN-4 Islands subunit to the east.
B. Cultural Character
The subunit is comprised of an historic Hudson River landing and the tightly organized hamlet associated with it. Coeymans was formed in the 17th century when Barent Coeymans, a Dutch immigrant who had been a miller in the Rensselaerwyck mills, bought from the Catskill Indians twelve square miles of land bordering the Coeymans Creek south of the manor of Rensselaerwyck. His property was crossed by trails to the interior and included waterfalls on the creek at which he built flour mills. Because of the value of the mill sites, the Van Rensselaers disputed his ownership; but in 1714 the British upheld the title by granting him the Coeymans Patent.
Barent's daughter Ariaanje inherited the property and in 1720, on the north side of the creek, built a large home now know as the Ariaanje Coeymans House. The house remained in the family until the late 19th century when it was used as housing for workers in the brickyards. Other than the Coeymans House, the hamlet's historic structures are 19th century buildings. They cling to the hillside which rises above the outlet of Coeymans Creek.
In the past Coeymans functioned over the years as a river landing for shipment of agricultural products and other goods to urban markets. Its other industry was shipbuilding. During the Revolutionary War small gunboats were built in its shipyards for use in the defense of the lower Hudson River. Today its maritime activity is primarily recreational. A town waterfront park and boat launch occupy the center of the hamlet's shoreland and provides a focus for the community. Private marinas and docks are located just north of the park. Strong traditional marine elements of docks, slips and sheds are strung along the waterfront area, but the more recently constructed marina buildings detract from the historic character and visual quality of the hamlet and constitute discordant features. The subunit is generally well-maintained, although the clutter of the waterfront gives an untidy appearance. Boating activities add ephemeral qualities to the landscape.
C. Views
The subunit offers unobstructed moderately long views of the Hudson River to both the north and south framed by the wooded islands and the low hills on the western shore. Other views are framed by the streets and trees in the park. Some views are also fairly wide, generally 90 to 180 degrees. As seen from the Hudson the hamlet unobtrusively clings to the slopes behind a broad expanse of parkland. While there are no major focal points, the simplicity and tranquility of the compositions constitute their appeal.
III. Uniqueness
The hamlet of Coeymans is not unique. It is noteworthy, however, for its close historical connection to the Hudson River.
IV. Public Accessibility
The subunit is accessible from NY Route 144 which carries some commuter traffic between Albany and the communities in southern Albany and northern Greene Counties. The subunit is visible from the Hudson River which is accessible via the boat launch at the riverfront park.
V. Public Recognition
The hamlet is not well known except to local residents and regular travelers of NY Route 144.
VI. Reason for Inclusion
The Coeymans Hamlet Waterfront subunit is included in the Columbia-Greene North SASS because it is highly visually and physically accessible to the general public, and offers unobstructed views of the Hudson River. The subunit contains an unusual variety of vegetation, including extensive marshland, forests, mature street trees and lawns. The subunit's topography, the hamlet's landscape and the shoreland are moderately varied. Water is the dominant feature that unifies the landscape, but discordant features along the waterfront disrupt that unity to some degree.
COLUMBIA-GREENE NORTH SCENIC AREA OF STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCE
CGN-2 Hannacrois Creek Outlet Subunit
I. Location
The Hannacrois Creek Outlet subunit encompasses a flat alluvial plain and marshland surrounding the Hannacrois Creek and Barren Island just south of the hamlet of Coeymans. The northern boundary of the subunit is a common boundary with the CGN-1 Coeymans Hamlet subunit. The southern boundary is a common boundary with the CGN-3 New Baltimore Hamlet subunit. The subunit's western boundary is NY Route 144, and its eastern boundary is the mean high tide line on the western shores of Houghtaling and Lower Schodack Islands. The subunit is located south of the hamlet of Coeymans in the Towns of Coeymans, Albany County; New Baltimore, Greene County; Schodack, Rensselaer County and Stuyvesant, Columbia County. Consult the Columbia-Greene North SASS map sheet number 1 for subunit boundaries.
II. Scenic Components
A. Physical Character
The subunit contains great physical variety. The Hannacrois Creek follows a steep wooded gorge down through a flat scrub-covered delta to a small cove surrounded by marshes. Steep bluffs rise 100 feet above the alluvial plain. Water is the dominant element in the subunit. The Hudson River is about 1,000 feet wide between the western shore and Houghtaling and Lower Schodack Islands, located in the CGN-4 Islands subunit to the east. Barren Island, now a peninsula, is covered primarily with a maple and beech forest. The shoreline configuration of the Hudson is complex in this area. The great variety of vegetation attracts many waterfowl and other wildlife.
B. Cultural Character
The character of the area is largely undisturbed and natural. The only visible structures include several small vernacular dwellings on the west side of the marsh and the Town of Coeymans sewage treatment plant on Barren Island. Once the site of a large amusement park and recreational area that served the Capital District in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the rest of the island is privately owned. Houses in the SASS are well-maintained and largely concealed by vegetation. Adjacent to the intersection of NY Route 144 and the road which leads to the sewage treatment plant, stands an old stone house of architectural significance. Waterfowl and river traffic contribute ephemeral effects to the landscape.
Although the sewage treatment plant and its associated facilities are obscured by vegetation and sited with minimal intrusion on the Hudson River, the facilities of industrial character do constitute discordant features in this predominantly natural landscape. The subunit is generally well maintained.
C. Views
The subunit provides moderately long views to the south of the Hudson River and vistas of 90 to 180 degrees in width. The variety of elements create strong, dynamic view compositions. The Hudson River and low hills form a quiet backdrop to the activities of the wildlife gathered at the creek outlet. Views from the Hudson River are of a predominantly natural landscape.
III. Uniqueness
This type of landscape is not unique. It is fairly common in the region.
IV. Public Accessibility
The subunit is constituted primarily of private property and is not very accessible to the public. It is somewhat accessible to the public via the Hudson River. Its western edge and some of the Hannacrois Creek corridor is visible from NY Route 144. The sewage treatment plant property is public land, but access to the property is restricted.
V. Public Recognition
The subunit is not widely recognized by the general public but is known to area boaters. Few people visit the area from land.
VI. Reason for Inclusion
The Hannacrois Creek Outlet subunit is included in the Columbia-Greene North SASS because it has a variety of scenic components including dramatic topography, diverse vegetative cover, an undulating shoreline and an array of ephemeral effects in the wildlife and marine activities. The landscape is unified through the dominant water feature of the Hudson River and the fact that the visual elements are generally consistent. There is moderate contrast among the Hudson River's expanse, the undulating shoreline and the solidity of the gorge and bluffs. Contrast also exists between the textures and colors of the mature woodlands and marshland vegetation.
COLUMBIA-GREENE NORTH SCENIC AREA OF STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCE
CGN-3 New Baltimore Hamlet Subunit
I. Location
The New Baltimore Hamlet subunit extends from south of the flats associated with the Hannacrois Creek mouth to the southern edge of the hamlet of New Baltimore. Its northern boundary is a common boundary with the CGN-2 Hannacrois Creek Outlet subunit, and its southern boundary is a common boundary with the CGN-5 Otter Hook subunit. The subunit's western boundary lies along NY Routes 144 and 61. Its eastern boundary is the mean high tide line on the western shore of Houghtaling Island. The subunit is located in the Town of New Baltimore, Greene County, and the Town of Stuyvesant, Columbia County. Consult the Columbia-Green North SASS map sheet number 1 for subunit boundaries.
II. Scenic Components
A. Physical Character
The subunit is generally precipitous. In the northern portions a 125 foot bluff drops to a narrow beach along the Hudson River, while in the hamlet to the south the slopes between NY Route 61 and the river are very steep. In the northern portion of the subunit the vegetation consists of marsh areas behind a long breakwater that parallels the waterfront. In the hamlet there are many large trees and lawns that extend to the water's edge. The Hudson River is a dominant element, being visible from most locations. It is approximately 1,000 feet wide between its western shore and Houghtaling Island, located in the S-15 Islands subunit. The shoreline is fairly straight.
B. Cultural Character
In 1714 settlers moved south from Coeymans to the area that is now New Baltimore. The Town of New Baltimore once constituted the northern portion of the Town of Coxsackie and was separated from Coxsackie in 1811. The hamlet area was originally a fishing village; but by 1815 Paul Sherman, a Yankee from Tiverton, Rhode Island, was building sloops in the hamlet, and shipbuilding became a major industry in the community.
The subunit has a strong cultural character centered in the historic hamlet of New Baltimore. 19th century vernacular buildings and an occasional earlier structure are tucked against the bluff between NY Route 61 and the Hudson River. The hamlet streets are steep and cling to the precipitous slope. Most of the structures are handsome, if simple, and have a strong relationship to the site and the river. One 18th century structure stands in the center of the hamlet at the top of Steep Hill. It was built by Stephen Parsons, a Puritan who moved to New Baltimore from Long Island in 1754.
A small park and gazebo offer a secluded spot to sit and absorb the ambience of the area. The effect overall is one of a timeless, peaceful life along the river. The hamlet is generally well maintained, although a few of the buildings stand vacant and unkempt, waiting to be rehabilitated.
At the foot of the bluff in the northern portion of the hamlet is located a large marina, its fingers of docks reaching out into the river and parallel to the shore. The rocky bluff looms over the marina facilities. The sheds of the marina are typically blocky and unattractive and are discordant features visible primarily from the Hudson.
C. Views
In the hamlet views are framed by the structures and large trees located along the local streets and the Hudson River. The historic buildings of many architectural periods constitute the most interesting focal points of the scene against a sweeping backdrop of the river and the woods of Houghtaling Island. The lack of topographical variety in this portion of the subunit serves to heighten the contrast of the buildings and their riverfront setting. As some streets plunge to the river, they provide long, narrow views of stone walls, shrubbery and overhanging trees which frame a small patch of water visible at the street end.
In the northern portion the views to the east are from higher elevations and include the boats docked at the marina, the forested island and the low hills and bluffs on the scenic east bank. Views from the Hudson include the uninhabited Houghtaling Island in the S-15 Islands subunit, the marina and bluffs and the hamlet clinging to the rising land.
III. Uniqueness
The hamlet of New Baltimore is not unique. It is noteworthy, however, because of its close historic connection to the Hudson River and its views of the Hudson framed by street trees and historic structures.
IV. Public Accessibility
The subunit is publicly accessible from NY Route 61, the hamlet streets and the Hudson River. A small park adjacent to the sewage treatment plant pumping station on the Hudson River provides access to the water's edge.
V. Public Recognition
Public recognition of the subunit is limited to local residents and travelers on NY Route 61.
VI. Reason for Inclusion
The New Baltimore Hamlet subunit is included in the Columbia-Greene North SASS because it contains a variety of historic vernacular structures, the forms and architectural detail of which are unified by the tightly clustered hamlet form. The uniform hamlet setting contrasts with that of the broad expanse of water. Manicured lawns along the Hudson contrast with the changing surface of the river, and moored sailboats contrast with the proximate historic houses on shore. The interrelationship of the hamlet and the river unifies the landscape. The subunit is visually and physically accessible to the public from NY Route 61, local streets and the Hudson River. The public can reach the water's edge at the small park adjacent to the pumping station.
COLUMBIA-GREENE NORTH SCENIC AREA STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCE
I. Location
The Islands subunit encompasses four large islands in the Hudson River that stretch for approximately five miles, from just south of the Thruway bridge over the Hudson River to just north of the Coxsackie Creek mouth. It encompasses approximately the northern half of the river's water surface and islands located in the SASS. The islands are located in the Towns of New Baltimore, Greene County; Schodack, Rensselaer County; and Stuyvesant, Columbia County. The subunit's western and eastern boundaries are coterminous with the subunits to the west and east, namely CGN-1 Coeymans Hamlet Waterfront, CGN-2 Hannacrois Creek Outlet, CGN-3 New Baltimore Hamlet, CGN-5 Otter Hook, CGN-18 Stuyvesant Landing, CGN-17 Mill Creek Marsh, CGN-16 Stuyvesant Woods, CGN-15 Poolsburg, and CGN-13 Schodack Landing. See the Columbia-Greene North SASS map sheets, numbers 1 and 2, for subunit boundaries.
II. Scenic Components
A. Physical Character
The subunit is comprised of flat islands, alluvial plain and fill. The higher land is forested, while the alluvial plain is covered with dense, successional riparian vegetation, primarily scrub trees and wet meadows. While the islands display little topographic variety, the vegetative cover is reasonably diverse. An undulating shoreline of coves and marshes borders the islands. Water is a dominant element in the landscape, as the Hudson River and the Schodack Creek define the edges of the islands. The islands are not as separate as they once were. Bronck Island is now joined to the western shore; and Houghtaling Island is connected to the Lower Schodack Island to its north. A narrow, shallow channel separates the latter three islands from the eastern shore.
B. Cultural Character
The islands in the subunit from north to south are Upper and Lower Schodack Islands, Houghtaling Island and Bronck Island. They are used for recreation such as hunting and informal wildlife viewing. Passing boaters may moor off the islands and explore the inland area. The southern portion of Houghtaling Island is owned by the federal government and used for dredge spoil disposal.
The subunit is generally well maintained with no discordant features. The formerly open areas are reverting to wilderness, and the activities of wildlife provide ephemeral effects.
C. Views
The subunit's scenic quality is based on its unspoiled, natural appearance. The subunit offers screened, relatively short and narrow views over the Hudson River and Schodack Creek to the dramatic background elements of bluffs, hills and historic villages on the shorelands in the adjacent subunits. The depth of views from the interior of the islands is limited by the flatness of the topography and thickness of vegetation. Long views up and down the predominantly natural river corridor are available from the coves and marshes.
III. Uniqueness
Although extensive, the islands are not unique.
IV. Public Accessibility
Most of the islands are in public ownership and accessible from the Hudson River, although they are not managed for recreation. They are visible from the subunits on both banks of the Hudson River, from the trains which run along the east shore of the Hudson and from NY Route 61 in New Baltimore and NY Route 9J in Stuyvesant.
V. Public Recognition
Public recognition is generally limited to travelers on the Hudson and on the railroad trains and to the hunters and fishermen who visit the area. Most of the islands are publicly owned and used informally by the boating public for recreational purposes.
VI. Reason for Inclusion
Although not distinctive in itself, the Islands subunit is included in the Columbia-Greene North SASS because it links distinctive subunits. The subunit constitutes the middleground and background of views to the Hudson River from distinctive subunits on both the west and east banks of the Hudson, including views from the trains on the eastern shore and from NY Routes 61 and 9J, portions of which are Scenic Roads designated under Article 49 of the Environmental Conservation Law. The subunit exhibits contrast between the lines of its undulating shores and the texture of the diverse vegetative cover and is unified by the river setting. Much of the subunit is in public ownership and accessible from the Hudson River. The subunit is generally free of discordant features.
COLUMBIA-GREENE NORTH SCENIC AREA OF STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCE
I. Location
The Otter Hook subunit begins just south of the hamlet of New Baltimore and continues south to the mouth of the Coxsackie Creek. The subunit's western boundary is NY Route 61. Its northern and southern boundaries are coterminous with adjacent subunits. The eastern boundary is a common boundary with the CGN-4 Islands subunit except south of Bronk Island where the subunit incorporates the mouth and adjacent flats of the Coxsackie Creek. Here the eastern boundary is shared with the CGN-18 Stuyvesant Landing subunit. The Otter Hook subunit is located in the Town of New Baltimore, Greene County. Consult the Columbia-Greene North SASS map sheets, numbers 1 and 2, for subunit boundaries.
II. Scenic Components
A. Physical Character
The topography is moderately varied, comprised of approximately 1000 acres of rolling pasture, orchard, and woodland on a plateau 100 to 150 feet above the Hudson River. The land along the river is flat alluvial plain and marsh. The Hudson River is a dominant water feature in the eastern portion of the subunit. Dense wooded bluffs rise above a moderately varied shoreline of small, shallow coves. The most striking physical aspect of the subunit is the diverse vegetation, including woodland, pasture, hay fields and orchards. The Coxsackie Creek has cut a varied corridor through the very southern end of the subunit, consisting of both deep pools in a steep rock gorge and fast flowing water through pastureland. Small tributaries and some intermittent streams drain the surrounding hills and empty into the creek. At the creek mouth are found tidal flats.
B. Cultural Character
Cultural features in this pastoral landscape include clustered farm buildings and a few isolated residences, all of which appear to be unchanged since the turn of the century. While isolated blight such as junkyards constitute discordant elements, overall a high level of maintenance is evident on the active farmland and orchards. Grazing livestock, resident wildlife and changing light patterns add ephemeral effects. NY Route 61 respects the topography, and in the southern portion of the subunit, remains a narrow rural road of great charm.
C. Views
Pleasing pastoral compositions, with a dynamic balance of elements, are frequent within the subunit. Sweeping views from the upper fields encompass 180 degree vistas. Other views are either very long or framed by vegetation. Views include filtered vistas of the Hudson River framed by a striking internal landscape of small fields and woodlands. As the roads traverse the landscape in a roller coaster manner, their disappearance and reappearance is intriguing, enticing the traveler to experience the next unfolding vista. The rolling meadows provide an undulating canvass across which shadows and highlights combine in a rich palette of hues and values, while the diverse vegetation provides a pleasing tapestry of colors and textures that changes with the seasons. Barns and farmhouses on distant hills and in hollows add focal points and color accents to the compositions. Meandering streams add linear elements.
Higher locations offer views which stretch to the Catskill Mountains to the southwest and to the Taconic Hills and Berkshires to the east. Views of the Coxsackie Creek corridor are available where NY Route 61 crosses the creek. The reflective surface of the water is in contrast to the dark rocky bluffs and scrub vegetation of the shoreland. The water surface contributes a variety of texture to the scene as it alternately tumbles over rocks and lingers in still pools.
III. Uniqueness
Although the subunit contains unusually lush farmland and forest, it is not unique.
IV. Public Accessibility
The subunit consists primarily of private land. It is accessible from NY Route 61 and highly visible from the highway, the Hudson River and the subunits to the east. V. Public Recognition
While the subunit is not widely recognized by the public, the scenic quality of the southern five mile segment of NY Route 61 is recognized through its designation as a Scenic Road under Article 49 of the Environmental Conservation Law.
VI. Reason for Inclusion
The Otter Hook subunit is included in the Columbia-Greene North SASS because it exhibits great variety of topography, vegetation and views. The topography ranges from the flat alluvial plain along the Hudson to the adjacent plateau more than 100 feet above the river. Vegetation includes pasture, orchard and woodland. The hues and tones of the landscape vary as the direction and intensity of light changes. The subunit is unified by its pastoral character. There is high contrast between: forms, including between the rolling land and the farm structures; texture, between the diverse vegetative cover and the changing character of the Hudson River; and patterns, including the contrast between the textures of the forested and farmed areas.
The subunit is highly visible to the public from NY Route 61, the Hudson River and its eastern shore. The views available are of outstanding composition and scenic quality. The southern five mile segment of NY Route 61 is a designated Scenic Road under Article 49 of the Environmental Conservation Law.
COLUMBIA-GREENE NORTH SCENIC AREA OF STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCE
I. Location
The Coxsackie Creek Subunit contains about 350 acres of land on either side of the Coxsackie Creek. Its western boundary is NY Route 61. It shares its northern, eastern and southern boundaries with subunits CGN-5 Otter Hook, CGN-7 Coxsackie Island and CGN-8 Coxsackie Farmland, respectively. The subunit is located in the Town of New Baltimore, Greene County. Consult the Columbia-Greene North SASS map sheet number 2 for subunit boundaries.
II. Scenic Components
A. Physical Character
The subunit is comprised of farmland along the east side of NY Route 61 and a steep, densely wooded ravine cut by the Coxsackie Creek in its descent from this plateau 100 feet above the Hudson River. A mix of hardwood forest and meadow vegetation covers the folds and hollows that flank the ravine. The winding creek has a moderately varied shoreline. Although the water of the creek is present, it is not a dominant element in the landscape.
B. Cultural Character
Land use in the subunit consists of forestry and dairy farming. Cultural features in the subunit include 19th century farmsteads, fences, walls and fields associated with traditional farming activities. The farms are well maintained, and there are no discordant features. Wildlife and rushing water add ephemeral elements.
C. Views
Some panoramic views are wider than 180 degrees, while other views are limited by vegetation. From the upper fields there are long views to the Hudson and Taconic Hills to the east and to the distant Catskills to the west. Striking internal compositions focus on the winding passage of the Coxsackie Creek through the ravine. From some locations the distant Catskill Mountains form a backdrop in views to the west, with low hills filling the viewshed to the east. There are no major focal points.
III. Uniqueness
The Coxsackie Creek subunit is not unique.
IV. Public Accessibility
The subunit is visually accessible from NY Route 61 and forms the middle ground in views to the west from subunits on the eastern shore of the Hudson River. The interior landscape of the State land in the creek corridor is accessible via trails.
V. Public Recognition
NY Route 61 in the subunit is a designated Scenic Road under Article 49 of the Environmental Conservation Law, and the Coxsackie Creek corridor from NY Route 62 to the Hudson River is owned by the State Department of Environmental Conservation. Otherwise, the subunit is not well known to the general public, and recognition is limited to travelers on Route 61 and local residents.
VI. Reason for Inclusion
The Coxsackie Creek subunit is included in the Columbia-Greene North SASS because it contains a great variety of woodland and field vegetation and high contrast among landscape elements. The contrast between the flat farmland on the plateau and the steep ravine is sudden and dramatic. There is strong textural contrast between the hard, rough rock face of the ravine and the creek's reflective pools and tumbling water. The Coxsackie Creek corridor is owned by the State and accessible to the public via trails. The subunit is visible from NY Route 61, a designated Scenic Road under Article 49 of the Environmental Conservation Law, which runs along the western edge of the subunit. It forms the middle ground in views to the west from subunits on the eastern shore of the Hudson River.
COLUMBIA-GREENE NORTH SCENIC AREA OF STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCE
CGN-7 Coxsackie Island Subunit
I. Location
The Coxsackie Island Subunit encompasses Coxsackie Island, Rattlesnake Island and adjacent western shorelands of the Hudson River from the mouth of the Coxsackie Creek south to the northern boundary of the Village of Coxsackie. The subunit's western boundary lies along Riverside Avenue in the southern portion and along the top of the bluffs in the northern portion. Its eastern boundary is a common boundary with the CGN-19 Sheffer subunit. The subunit is located in the Town of New Baltimore and in the Village and Town of Coxsackie, Greene County. Consult the Columbia-Greene North SASS map sheet number 2 for subunit boundaries.
II. Scenic Components
A. Physical Character
The subunit is comprised of a steep wooded hillside rising 200 feet above the Hudson River, with two islands at its base. The islands are separated from the shore by channels up to twenty feet deep. A rolling plateau is found in the southern portion of the subunit along Riverside Avenue. The subunit is covered with mature woodland, except for some small clearings adjacent to the shore of the Hudson. Water is a dominant element in the subunit. The Hudson River is approximately 2,000 feet wide in this area and has an extremely varied shoreline bordering islands, coves and bays.
B. Cultural Character
Navigational aids and a few undistinctive dwellings are located along the Hudson River, but otherwise cultural activity is lost in the rich natural character of the area. The navigational light on the north end of Rattlesnake Island and resident wildlife provide some ephemeral effects. The area is generally well-maintained. The unscreened residential development is a discordant feature in this predominantly natural landscape.
C. Views
The subunit offers sweeping vistas over a shallow bend in the Hudson, including some four to five miles of river corridor. The landform creates strong compositions. Islands provide focal points in the views, while the Village of Coxsackie provides a backdrop to the scene on the south and west. The distant Catskill Mountains are visible in views from the top of the bluff. There are also views of the wooded hills of Stuyvesant in the CGN-22 Nutten Hook Farms and CGN-18 Stuyvesant Landing subunits to the east. In general, the combination of a complex shoreline, the Hudson's proximity to the Village, and mature trees overhanging the water combine to form scenic compositions of exceptional quality.
III. Uniqueness
The scenic quality of the subunit is noteworthy, but it is not unique.
IV. Public Accessibility
The Coxsackie Island subunit is primarily in private ownership. However, it is accessible and visible from the Hudson River and from Riverside Avenue in the Town of Coxsackie, and from a dirt road, Sweezey Road, which runs along a portion of the northern shore. The subunit is visible from NY Route 9J on the eastern shore of the Hudson and from the railroad trains which also run along the eastern shore.
V. Public Recognition
Public recognition of the subunit is limited primarily to boaters and local residents.
VI. Reason for Inclusion
The Coxsackie Island subunit is included in the Columbia-Greene North SASS because it contains a varied landform of steep bluffs, hills and islands that offers sweeping vistas of the Hudson River and the distant mountains to both east and west. The shoreline is also varied. High contrast of form, patterns and colors is present among the vegetation and water elements. The dramatic topographic change, the steepness of the slope and the isolation of the islands combine to make this subunit serve as a visual counterpoint to adjacent traditional village and farm landscapes. The Hudson River unifies the landscape. The subunit is generally free of discordant features, except for a few new residences. It is accessible from the Hudson River and visible from the Hudson and from Riverside Avenue in the Town of Coxsackie.
COLUMBIA-GREENE NORTH SCENIC AREA OF STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCE
CGN-8 Coxsackie Farmland Subunit
I. Location
The Coxsackie Farmland subunit incorporates upland farms in the northern portion of the Town of Coxsackie. Its northern boundary generally follows the Town's northern boundary, while the southern edge of the subunit reaches south to just behind the houses along Van Dyck Street and Lawrence Street in the Village of Coxsackie. NY Route 61 constitutes its western boundary. Its eastern boundary consists of common boundaries, including Riverside Avenue, with the CGN-9 Coxsackie Village and the CGN-7 Coxsackie Island subunits. The subunit is located in the Town and Village of Coxsackie, Greene County. Consult the Columbia-Greene North SASS map sheet number 2 for subunit boundaries.
II. Scenic Components
A. Physical Character
The topography of the subunit is flat to rolling with a small valley. It incorporates approximately 400 acres of actively farmed fields and orchards. There are some specimen trees, generally in the vicinity of the farm residences and barns. The water element is minor, consisting of a small brook.
B. Cultural Character
The physical and cultural attributes of this area are closely tied together. The farmland is part of the fertile lowlands stretching parallel to the Hudson River first settled in the 17th century by the Dutch as they migrated south from Rensselaerwyck. The Dutch established their early farms inland, out of sight of the Hudson River and the British soldiers. Coxsackie is most closely associated with Peter Bronck who settled there in 1662. The community is also known for the Coxsackie Declaration signed in Peter Bronck's house on May 17, 1775 by 221 Hudson Valley farmers. After hearing of the Battle of Lexington the farmers declared their opposition to the actions of the British Parliament.
The historic continuity of land use is obvious in the appearance of the subunit, giving it a timeless quality. Large barns and farmstead clusters, vernacular in character, nestle in the landscape, sheltered by specimen trees. The farming activities and broad expanse of sky contribute ephemeral effects to the landscape. There are some discordant features associated with the highway corridor and the village housing adjacent to the southern portion of the subunit.
C. Views
Views from the subunit are characterized by open sky and horizontal fields stretching into the distance. The breadth of views is generally greater than 180 degrees. While the Hudson River is not directly in view, the Catskills on the west and Taconics on the east serve as distant backdrops for the pastoral compositions. The simplicity and scale of the subunit are unusual in the normally complex, tight landscapes along the Hudson.
III. Uniqueness
Although the large flat fields are noteworthy, they are not unique.
IV. Public Accessibility
The subunit is primarily in private ownership. This open landscape is accessible and highly visible, however, from NY Route 61, Riverside Avenue and other local streets.
V. Public Recognition
The subunit, with its sweeping views, is admired by travellers through Coxsackie, but is not well known by the general public. NY Route 61 is a designated Scenic Road under Article 49 of the Environmental Conservation Law.
VI. Reason for Inclusion
The Coxsackie Farmland subunit is included in the Columbia-Greene North SASS because it is a publicly accessible landscape with dramatic views. Topographic variety is limited, but the alternations in crops, orchard plots, and wood lots provide a fair degree of vegetative variety. The landscape is unified by the farm land use. The subunit is recognized as the viewshed of NY Route 61, a designated Scenic Road under Article 49 of the Environmental Conservation Law. The subunit is accessible and highly visible from NY Route 61, Riverside Avenue and other local streets.
COLUMBIA-GREENE NORTH SCENIC AREA OF STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCE
CGN-9 Coxsackie Village Subunit
I. Location
The Coxsackie Village subunit consists of the eastern third of the Village of Coxsackie and a small portion of the Town of Coxsackie to the north. Its western boundary lies 500 feet west of NY Route 385 from the southern village boundary to the intersection with Lafayette Avenue, then 500 feet west of Lafayette Avenue, Van Dyke Street, Noble Street and Riverside Avenue to just north of the village's northern boundary. Its eastern boundary consists of its common boundary with the CGN-7 Coxsackie Island, CGN-24 Stockport Flats and CGN-23 Nutten Hook subunits. The subunit is located in the Village and Town of Coxsackie, Greene County. Consult the Columbia-Greene North SASS map sheet number 2 for subunit boundaries.
II. Scenic Components
A. Physical Character
In the northern portion of the subunit the topography consists of a steep 140 foot bluff edging a cove on the Hudson River which provides some variety to the shoreline. In the southern portion the land slopes gently to a narrow alluvial plain and is covered with a modest variety of trees and lawns. The Hudson River is approximately 2800 feet wide in this area and is joined by small tributary streams. The Hudson is a dominant element in the landscape. The central portion of the subunit includes the open lawn of a large park at the water's edge. Tidal flats border some portions of the waterfront, while the upland consists of a large flat stretch of filled land, including the waterfront park and Reed Street.
B. Cultural Character
The subunit includes the corridors of local streets and the southern portion of the NY Route 385 corridor in the Village of Coxsackie, adjacent neighborhoods and the Coxsackie waterfront. The village is built above and below the steep bluff and on hills overlooking the Hudson River. The area encompassing the Village of Coxsackie was purchased from the Indians in 1662, and the English issued the Coxsackie Patent to the new owners in 1687.
Development of Reeds Landing, also known as Coxsackie Middle Landing and Coxsackie Landing, began in 1784. Reed Street was named after Eliakim Reed who operated a dock and warehouse on the Hudson River prior to 1800. By 1810 the land had been subdivided and early buildings stood on piles in the marsh areas. By the mid-1800s this landing was the main commercial waterfront area for Coxsackie and included many enterprises such as ship-building, ice harvesting, a carriage factory, a printing press factory, an iron foundry and the sale of lumber and coal. A ferry once ran bet