Strategies for Implementing Large Scale Public Projects

Large-scale public projects, typically involve multiple landowners, partnerships, funding sources, and a range of site constraints. These parameters not only play a significant role in the planning and design of these projects but are even more pronounced when it comes to implementation. This workshop will look at interim and incremental implementation strategies for a greenway along a 2-mile stretch of Quassaick Creek, at the border of the City of Newburgh and the Town of New Windsor.

The Quassaick Creek Greenway is roughly a 2-mile stretch from the Hudson River delta in the east to Crystal Lake in the City of Newburgh. The Creek is also the natural boundary between two municipalities: City of Newburgh and Town of New Windsor, with very different socio-economic characteristics, needs, and issues. Over the last three decades, there have been numerous efforts and studies to establish this formerly industrial area as a linear park and trail. Most recently, in 2022-2023, a feasibility study proposed a greenway trail alignment for this 2-mile stretch.

This workshop will introduce students to the contexts of Qussaick Creek, the City of Newburgh, and the Town of New Windsor. After exploring the Creek and its community, students will identify themes that interest them: e.g. equity, environmental justice, health, food, etc. They will select locations and sites for intervention that best respond to their theme and vision for addressing these issues. Working together, they will develop low-cost interim programming and site design ideas that respond to their themes, and can be implemented through partnerships with the surrounding communities.

Guest lectures and conversations with local groups will help to identify and navigate through challenges in implementing short-term interim projects.