An eco-friendly and electrifying new business idea for Nyack.

by Dave Zornow

Nyack, a village with 10,000 adults in a three mile radius, would seem an ideal place to “run into town” for errands. But parking is problematic. You could walk or bike, but that takes time and probably means climbing a few very serious hills along the way depending upon where you live.

However, there’s a low cost option for taking short trips to town that’s popular in Europe,  China and the Pacfic Northwest that’s just right for Nyack’s congested downtown. It doesn’t use gas, can go 20 miles on a nickel and isn’t intimidated by the climb up 5th Avenue or Route 9W.

It’s an electric bike, capable of up to 20 mph with a range of 18-60 miles per charge. No license or parking space is required.

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by Cliff Weathers

New York State Parks officials announced today that they plan to close 55 parks and historic sites and reduce services at other parks to help shrink the state’s $8.2 billion budget deficit. Several parks and sites located in Rockland County will be affected. The cuts are reportedly in addition to park services cuts implemented over the past two years, which included reduced services at Nyack Beach State Park. The affected parks and sites include: Continue reading →

Spring is almost here and the Nyack Community Garden will soon be opening for the season.

Here’s how the News 12 blog describes the garden: Continue reading →

Join a rowing relay team to raise money for The Nyack Center on Sat 3/13.

The River Rowing Association and the Nyack Center invite the community to join the Pull with Purpose Row-a-thon. Participants aged 13 and up compete in a relay race of teams on rowing machines for two hours.  It all takes place at the Nyack Center, 58 Depew Ave. in Nyack on March 13 from 9a – 12n.

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by Marianne Olive

This Spring, there will be a week of celebration in Nyack for the 40th anniversary of Earth Day with earth friendly events and fun for the whole family.

We’re looking for exhibitors and volunteers for crafts and environmental exhibits, gardens, and alternative energy. Beekeepers, hikers, bikers, woodworkers, non motorized boaters, health, nutrition and natural remedy practitioners are welcome as well as anyone with earth friendly ideas.

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Nature is all around us, everyday. On the river. In the woods. Even in the trees behind ShopRite where you might just spot some bald eagles.

Jennifer Hausler writes about a sighting last week at the Route 59 ShopRite in West Nyack on the Nyack Backyard blog:

To my amazement they were clearly visible from the west side of the rear parking lot.  Continue reading →

by Dave Zornow

Nyack, Jan 2 — Elections, fireworks, parking, boating, sailing, ROMPing and drinking were some of the big stories of last year. Here’s our countdown of Nyack’s Top 20 news and views of 2009.

This list is based on Google Analytics reports of NyackNewsAndViews site traffic., NyackNewsAndViews averages about 40,000 pageviews with about half of all adults 25+ reading NyackNewsAndViews on a regular basis (hover for details).

Although these are the “top stories” by popular demand, we all know the best performer isn’t always the winner on American Idol. Feel free to click the comment link and add your own suggestions to the list. Or topics you think deserve more attention in 2010.

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Editor’s Note: On Dec 17, the Upper Nyack Village Board unanimously voted to abandon a proposed zoning amendment that would have allowed residential development at Petersen’s Boatyard.

by Trina Hunn

Upper Nyack, Dec 16 — I live in Upper Nyack in the historic Van Houten Landing neighborhood and practice law in New York City. My family moved here two years ago from South Nyack and has lived in the area now for almost ten years. We love this town, its eccentricity, its deep sense of community, and its beauty. One factor that influenced us in purchasing our home in Upper Nyack is its location within walking distance to the historic Petersen’s Boatyard. We have even enjoyed the pipe dream that one day we would own a boat that would be moored steps away from our home at the boatyard.

While I admire the tenacity of the Van Houten Landing Association in fighting the proposed zoning change of Petersen’s Boatyard, and while I would prefer that the boatyard be preserved forever in its present form, I respectfully disagree with the neighborhood’s opposition to the proposed zoning change. Continue reading →

by Ronald Romanowicz

The first practical solar power system at Rockland Country Day School is online thanks to the efforts of a dedicated teacher and his students.

A photovoltaic panel has been installed on the shed roof in the Organic Garden at Rockland Country Day School.  Teacher Ron Breland, who heads up the four year old Organic Gardening Program for middle and upper school students, says students can now experience the benefits of solar power in a very practical way.

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Nyack, Nov 27 — After a day of conspicuous consumption on Thanksgiving, the three day weekend is a good time to get some exercise.

There are more than 1,200 miles of multi-use trails to bike, walk, run, cross-country ski, and sometimes ride horses in NY State. The Park’s And Trails NY (PTNY) TrailFinder website lists 16 paths within 25 miles of Nyack including the Joseph B. Clarke Rail Trail in Orangetown, Hook Mountain/Nyack Beach State Park, the Orange County Heritage Trail near Woodbury Commons and the North & South Country Trailway in Westchester/Putnum.

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