Progress has been made on the $95.8 million reconstruction of Lake Sebago Beach in the Hudson Valley. Governor Kathy Hochul announced that a key construction contract has been awarded to New York-based C-Squared Constructors LLC. The beach, closed since Tropical Storm Irene in 2011, is being restored as part of the NY SWIMS initiative.
The rehabilitation of Lake Sebago Beach is part of a wider investment in swimming facilities in New York. The Governor’s office stated that the project is intended to provide accessible and affordable spaces for communities during periods of extreme heat. Kathy Moser, Acting Commissioner of New York State Parks, stated that the project addresses a period of limited investment in swimming infrastructure.
Lake Sebago Beach, which had been a popular destination for family outings since the 1950s, was closed after damage from Tropical Storm Irene. The $78.1 million project, funded in part by the state’s Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, includes a new beach with improved sand quality, updated restrooms, and a solar-powered bathhouse. The design also incorporates features to withstand major weather events, including storms with up to a 500-year return period.
The project is expected to accommodate more than 4,000 visitors and includes expanded parking facilities. A new wastewater treatment system is also planned. Joshua Laird, Executive Director of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, stated that the beach is intended to become a recreational destination once again. Additionally, restoration work on Stillwater Creek is planned to improve the management of natural water flow.
The beach renovation is scheduled to begin in spring 2026, with a planned reopening in summer 2027. This project is part of a broader initiative: Governor Hochul's budget allocates $200 million to State Parks for improvements across New York’s green spaces, and the NY SWIMS program continues to focus on providing amenities in underserved areas. Once completed, the beach will be available for public use starting in summer 2027.
