MASSENA -- The New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation have been recognized for rehabilitating the Robert Moses State Park Beach Area Complex.

The project was selected by the Central New York Branch of the American Public Works Association (APWA) to receive the 2010 Structures/Facilities Project of the Year Award for initiatives of more than $1 million.

Work at the beach included a new bathhouse, renovation of the former bathhouse into a camper registration building, a new concrete curb along the entrance drive, stripping of the existing parking area, installation ramps for the disabled, resurfacing of the existing asphalt sidewalks, replacement of the historic trellis walkways parallel to the beach, and installation of various drainage systems for storm water and sanitary sewer.

North Country contractors working on the project included Fiacco and Riley, Norwood, general contractor; Continental Construction, Gouverneur, plumbing work; Collins Hammond, Ogdensburg, electrical contractor; and Hoover Heating and Cooling, Redwood, HVAC work.

The award was accepted on behalf of the organizations by Steve Ramsey, NYPA community relations manager, and Brian Thomas, State Parks capital facilities, at the APWA annual fall banquet, held recently in Canastota.

In October 2003, the Power Authority received a 50-year federal license for the St. Lawrence-Franklin D. Roosevelt Power Project, leading to a host of new economic, environmental and recreational benefits to the region stemming from various agreements.

Since then, NYPA trustees have authorized expenditures totaling about $170 million—including the rehabilitation costs for Robert Moses State Park and Coles Creek State Park, an 1,800-acre park in Waddington and Louisville—to fulfill the terms of the new license. The Power Authority is investing over $7 million in the restoration and improvement of Robert Moses State Park.

At 2,300 acres, Robert Moses State Park includes the Barnhart Island Marina and Boat Basin, with slips for 66 boats, a boat launch ramp and a place to rent power boats and canoes. The park has camping opportunities for tents, trailers, recreational vehicles and 15 fully-outfitted cabins available for rent. The facilities renovated for this project are near the park's riverfront beach complex.

The Central New York Branch of APWA represents the countries, cities, towns and villages within a ten county area on Central New York. Membership consists of a wide range of public works leads, including elected officials; municipal employees; consulting engineers; suppliers of public work materials, equipment and services; and other individuals committed to excellence in the public works field.