Traffic issues near Croton Gorge Park.
A message from Cortlandt Town Supervisor Richard Becker
Anyone who has driven near the dam lately, especially on the weekend, has probably encountered this issue. This is taken from Cortlandt Supervisor Richard Becker’s Weekly Update dated June 6.
During spring and summer, The Town of Cortlandt and the Village of Croton have had to deal with tremendous traffic and safety issues along Route 129, at the entrance of the Croton Gorge Dam Park. This is due to a significant increase in visitors coming from lower Westchester as well as New York City to visit this beautiful and historic Park. Recently, Mayor Brian Pugh of Croton and I met with County representatives to address these ongoing problems.
Here is an outline of the steps being taken by Westchester County Parks and Public Safety Department:
-County Police are placing a variable message sign on the top of the dam (corner of Batten Road and Croton Dam Road), as well as “No Parking” signs along Rt. 129
-County Police are directing their patrols in the area to conduct strict enforcement in and around the park (they issued over 90 parking tickets in the area during the previous week)
-New York State Police troopers will assist County Police with additional patrols and enforcement in the area
- The County Parks Department has placed prominent warning on top of their website and on social media accounts which states that parking is very limited at Croton Gorge Park and there is no parking on Rt. 129, violators will be ticketed or towed.
-The County Parks Department will place barricades to block the entrance to the park as soon as it is at capacity
- Additional County Seasonal Park Rangers have been deployed and more will be added soon, once they have completed training
- The County is in discussions with NYS DOT about additional signage on Rt. 129 and we hope to have an answer from them soon
Working together, the Village, the Town, and the County are working to address and to make significant improvements to this ongoing problem.
Richard H. Becker, M.D.
Supervisor,
Town of Cortlandt
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I wonder if it might be possible to partner with Metro North, and run shuttle vans to the Park for weekend visitors. We walk our dog there during the week utilizing the parking area at the top of the dam to avoid parking fees, but don't go near it on weekends.
The park area is becoming very worn. Grass areas becoming dirt only. Garbage everywhere. People wandering aimlessly trying to get back to the train station.