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Hoboken is the Jersey Shore

http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=19903467&BRD=1291&PAG
Monday, August 11, 2008

Last week, the city invited everyone to visit the beach...in Hoboken.

A new boathouse was opened at Maxwell House Park, complete with a small stretch of beach on the Hudson River. Anyone is welcome to stroll at the new public area - park, pier, beach, and boathouse - at 11th Street near Sinatra Drive.

The entire area was funded by the developers of the Maxwell Place project as part of the development, without using any taxpayer money.

One of the original developers on the site, Hoboken Brownstone Corporation, collaborated with the city to donate the public space shortly after the development process began in 2001.

"This is the outcome when developers and the administration work together," said Daniel Gans, one of the co-founders of Hoboken Brownstone Company, at a ceremony on Wednesday.

Some Hoboken residents are leery of developer promises. But this time, after Toll Brothers gained control of the project from Hoboken Brownstone, they still followed through on the park and boathouse.

Director of Community Development Fred Bado said in an interview last week that the recreational area is owned by Toll Brothers, but once an additional walkway and fishing pier are completed at the site, they will transfer the amenities to the city.

Putting it to use
The Hoboken Cove Community Boathouse and the Downtown Boathouse of Manhattan, their sister-organization, will oversee use of the boathouse.

It stores 25 kayaks which the city will be purchasing, and has a small meeting room and bathrooms inside.

Along the river in front of the boathouse is the only beach in Hoboken, a small swath of sand and rocks that is used as a launch for the kayakers.

David Downs, the newly-elected president of the Hoboken Cove Community Boathouse non-profit group, was at the ceremony. He thanked many of the supporters, including group founder and former president Sandy Sobanski.

He wore shorts with a shirt and tie, and after some good-natured ribbing from the mayor, Downs said it was a metaphor for his position in the community.

"We want to be sporty, but we also want to work with the city," Downs said.

He said the group will reach out to other associations in the city like the YMCA to set up partnerships for use of the boathouse and the kayaks.

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"This is the outcome when developers and the administration work together"

- Daniel Gans

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Downs said via email last week, "Right now, we do not have any scheduled dates [to offer use of the kayaks], but we are planning at least one to two more dates this season and through the beginning of October."

He said the Downtown Boathouse in Manhattan has loaned Hoboken eight boats for use by the organization for the rest of the season.

They are beginning a fundraising campaign for new boats or for people to donate used boats.

"Once we have a basic fleet of boats and equipment, we will be able to offer free kayaking days on a more regular basis," he said. The group will also offer training programs in conjunction with the Downtown Boathouse.

Downs advised that interested parties can check the website, www.hobokencoveboathouse.org, or e-mail him directly at david@hobokencoveboathouse.org.

Bringing boating back
The boathouse is a replica of the first New York Yacht Club boathouse that was built here in Hoboken in 1845.

It was home to the schooner America that in 1852 brought home Britain's Royal Yacht Squadron Cup after winning the race in front of Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales.

The cup was then renamed the America's Cup, and is now the oldest active international competition trophy in the world.

Opening the doors
Mayor David Roberts admitted at the ceremony that it was a lengthy but gratifying process to get the boathouse open.

"I remember growing up and the entire waterfront was industrialized," he said. "There were very few places where the citizenry could touch the water."

He thanked, among others, the City Council for approving the whole project.

"Those nights when you cast affirmative votes, the seeds were planted," he said. "It's really, truly a wonderful sight to see."

Supporters thanked Roberts and Bado; Toll Brothers; Gans and partner George Vallone of the Hoboken Brownstone Company; Sobinski; Helen Manogue of the Quality of Life Coalition; the Fund for a Better Waterfront; the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance; and the Jersey City Reservoir, who provided the kayaks for the opening.

For questions or comments on this story, e-mail tcarroll@hudsonreporter.com.