There are four entities which currently operate out of Donahue Memorial Park, the Cornwall-on-Hudson riverfront – two kayak companies, Mountain Valley Guides and Storm King Adventure Tours and two rowing clubs which are nonprofits, San Miguel Academy in Newburgh and the Orange County Rowing Association. The park is also heavily used by community residents.

At a recent Cornwall-on-Hudson Village Board meeting Mayor James Gagliano said he’s recently received a number of complaints regarding activity at the park, so he and Deputy Mayor James Kane had a meeting with the owners/operators of the various entities to ensure they’re still following the rules which were put into place seven years ago.

That includes:
- Before the season, the two companies are required to meet with the public safety officials from the fire department.

- Any time an excursion or tour goes out, no more than 36 vessels are allowed in the water at one time.

- The two companies need to arrange their schedules, so launches are staggered.

- One guide is required for every eight to ten kayaks on the water.

- No alcohol is permitted as part of the tours.

- Before each tour, the companies are required to fill out a list of individuals in each kayak and leave them in a lock box in case of an emergency rescue.

Regarding parking at the waterfront, currently there are 78 parking spaces, three handicapped spaces and eight trailer parking spaces for use by the general public. The kayak companies are allowed to purchase up to 12 parking permits for use by their clients, Gagliano said.

The mayor added that he and the other board members are “ecstatic” that Donahue Memorial Park has become a “destination spot for residents and visitors alike” and said that keeping everyone happy there “is about balance”.

“We need to continue to make sure that everyone is treated fairly,” he said. “And I’ll say that for the most part, everyone has always bent over backwards to make sure it all works out.”

The mayor added that while the board often thinks about how to add parking at the popular spot, “because of the need to protect the waterfront, it’s not as easy as taking some green space and pouring asphalt on it”.

The mayor said he attended a Saturday evening concert at the park this past week and figures there were 200-300 people in attendance for that, as well as tours going out on the river, private kayakers, people walking dogs and more. “Parking problems are actually great problems to have,” he said. “It means we’ve created a place people want to be.”