Westchester Insider: Westchester County: SAW MILL RIVER RESTORATION AND WOODLANDS LAKE DAM REMOVAL AT V.E. MACY PARK IN ARDSLEY IS UNDERWAY.

 

SAW MILL RIVER RESTORATION AND WOODLANDS LAKE DAM REMOVAL AT V.E. MACY PARK IN ARDSLEY IS UNDERWAY.

 

(Ardsley, NY) – Restoration of the Saw Mill River and the removal of the Woodlands Lake Dam in V.E. Macy Park in Ardsley is underway as part of a $4.9 million capital project.

 

The work began this week and will take 12 to 14 months to complete. The Woodlands Lake Section of the park, off the Saw Mill Parkway; access to the South County Trailway and access off the northbound Saw Mill Parkway, except for emergencies, will be closed during construction.

 

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, “It is important to ensure the safety of our residents and restore this aspect of V.E. Macy Park so that future generations can enjoy it. The ongoing parks capital projects all have a common goal – to make life better.

 

Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation, Kathy O’Connor said, “V.E. Macy Park in Ardsley is a multi-purpose park with access to the South County Trailway. Visitors will need to be aware of what will be accessible during the time in which construction takes place, and we look forward to when visitors can enjoy the park in its entirety again.”

 

It is necessary to take the Dam out of service as it is under violation from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Dam Safety Division. While the County explored making repairs, it poses a risk to the Village of Ardsley as repairs would change the Dam’s classification to a high hazard Dam and the decision to remove it was made. This not only significantly reduces the funding required to do the work, but will lead to river restoration, removal of a barrier to fish passage and protect upstream wetlands.

 

The work will include removing a portion of the existing dam, installation of a new pedestrian bridge using the old dam supports, reshaping the river to create a series of weirs and pools, and installation and extensive selection of native trees, shrubs and groundcover.