Better childproofing and boat access
Workers began installing new railings on the Cold Spring dock this week as part of the Waterfront Improvement Project funded principally by the Hudson Highland Land Trust (HHLT). New lighting that reduces light pollution had already been put in place as part of the project.
James Hartford, an architect with River Architects, the Cold Spring firm that designed the project, said that the new railing would be complete within a week and meets current New York state building code requirements for childproofing. The old railing had sizable gaps between its vertical bars.
Once the steel work is complete, a wooden cap will be installed along the top of the railing. The cap will be made of Ipe, a durable South American hardwood often used in marine projects, including Coney Island’s famous boardwalk. Hartford said the new railing includes gates and will allow larger boats to tie off safely without striking the railing — a shortcoming of the previous design. The new design also provides adequate space for gangway access.
HHLT Executive Director Andy Chmar said that the total project cost was “a little over $109,000,” including design, materials and labor for both the lighting and railings. The railings accounted for about $61,000 of that total, he said. The Village of Cold Spring budgeted $10,000 to underwrite a portion of the railing costs. The balance was provided by HHLT through its own fundraising. Chmar said that funds came from private donations and foundations.
The project also benefitted substantially from in-kind contributions and reduced pricing. Hartford said that his firm and Pidala Electric donated “hundreds of hours” to the project and that Metconix, the Beacon company that fabricated and installed the railing, provided discount pricing. River Architects was compensated for tine spent on the lighting but donated its work on the railings.
