For Immediate Release Contact: Theresa Bourgeois Brookfield Renewable Contact: Julie Pelletier [email protected] [email protected] (518) 903-0142 (518) 480-1494

Falls View Park - Overlooking the Majestic and Historic Cohoes Falls – Re-opening to Visitors on Saturday, May 1st

Cohoes, NY (April 29, 2021) – Visitors to Cohoes will once again have the opportunity to get an up-close view of the majestic and historic Cohoes Falls when Falls View Park re-opens to the public on Saturday, May 1st. Opened in 2008, the seasonal park is a creative public/private collaboration between Brookfield, the City of Cohoes, and the National Park Service’s Erie Canalway Heritage Corridor.

“In many different ways the Cohoes Falls has been part of the heart of our economy for generations. It is a unique and special place,” Mayor Bill Keeler said. “For more than a dozen years, from May to November, as many as 20,000 visitors annually have been finding their way to the Cohoes Falls, onto the footbridge across the power canal, and into Falls View Park. They arrive by car, bicycle, and on foot to view this one-of-a-kind natural wonder and to learn the amazing background of this historic area in our community.”

Cohoes Falls is one of the largest waterfalls – by width and volume – in the Eastern United States. Measuring 1000 feet across and with a vertical drop of 60 feet, it is the second largest waterfall in State, after .

“Brookfield Renewable is delighted to continue our partnership with the City of Cohoes. The installation of the new crosswalk provides a safer option for families and visitors to enjoy the picturesque park. Falls View Park offers a perfect spot to be outdoors and view the falls and will open on May 1st, marking its 13th year” said Andy Davis, Senior Director- Public Affairs, Brookfield Renewable.

Open daily from dawn to dusk, the four-acre park, adjacent to Brookfield Renewable’s School Street Hydropower facility offers spectacular views of the Cohoes Falls. Sightseers experience a wide range of recreational and historical features, including an 80-person amphitheater, picnic area, and ADA compliant fishing platforms. Interpretive panels and signage highlight the historical and geological significance of the falls and . Located on North Mohawk Street, just north of the former Harmony Mills, visitors enjoy fishing, hiking, birding, photography, and painting of the scenic falls.

Addition of a solar-powered cross-walk This year Falls View Park opens with an added layer of safety, powered by the sun. Visitors parking in the municipal lot across from the park, will be able to cross the busy North Mohawk Street corridor with the assistance of solar-powered flashing lights mounted on a bright yellow cross walk sign, funded jointly by the City of Cohoes and Brookfield. “The addition of a clean-energy cross-walk system at this location adds an extra level of safety for pedestrians by providing a much-needed early warning signal for vehicular traffic at this popular crossing,” said Cohoes City Planner Joe Seman-Graves.

Confluence of History, Art, and Nature

The Cohoes Falls sits at the confluence of important history of the community, the region, and the country. This includes Native American history interlinked with the U.S. Constitution, transportation history linked to the , and manufacturing history connected with knitting mills. Also of historic note: the bones of the Cohoes Mastodon were discovered just below the Cohoes Falls, when the Harmony Mills were being constructed.

“The Falls are a beautiful natural wonder. They also help tell the story of Cohoes, from the Ice Age origin of the Falls and the Mastodon, to Native American legend and history, to the rise of Cohoes as an industrial center through the power of water,” said Daniele Cherniak, President of the Spindle City Historic Society.

In addition to seasonal access via the Falls View Park, visitors view the Cohoes Falls year-round from Overlook Park, a block off of North Mohawk Street, at the end of School Street, and from other vistas along North Mohawk Street. Bicyclists and pedestrians using the Mohawk-Hudson Bike Path can easily take a short detour off the path, east on Manor Avenue to Falls View Park, or any of the nearby viewing areas.

“Falls View Park, Overlook Park, and the spaces in between, above, and below provide the art community with multiple views to paint and photograph the falls, as artists have done for generations. In winter when much of the river is frozen, Bald Eagles seeking the open waters to fish are numerous around the falls – and photographers cluster along the wall in “Overlook Park” to capture images of America’s symbol,” said Dave Koschnick, President of Choose Cohoes for Art.

The City of Cohoes, in collaboration with Brookfield, and with other businesses and organizations, is exploring opportunities for COVID-safe programming at Falls View Park, Cohoes Falls Over Look Park, and the adjacent Craner Park and Erie Canal Locks.

“There is just so much that most people don’t know about the area around Cohoes Falls. Our goal is to highlight this rich history. We know that sightseers, photographers, painters, bird lovers, history buffs and other enthusiasts make their way to the Cohoes Falls by the thousands year round. We want to build on that interest by creating events and other opportunities that bring the community together and brings others to Cohoes to learn about and take advantage of this fascinating but often overlooked historic gem,” said Amanda Primeau, Executive Assistant to the Mayor, responsible for the design and organization of many city events.

For information about the Falls View Park and Overlook Park go here: https://www.ci.cohoes.ny.us/314/Overlook-Park- Falls-View-Park

For information on Brookfield go to: https://brookfieldrenewableus.com

For information on the Cohoes Falls go here: https://www.ci.cohoes.ny.us/313/Cohoes-Falls

For the Spindle City Historic Society’s self-guided tours of the Historic Mills District and other historic areas of Cohoes go here: https://www.spindlecity.net/Guides&Brochures.html

About Brookfield Renewable

Brookfield Renewable U.S., based in , is a leading owner, operator and developer of renewable power, delivering innovative renewable power solutions that accelerate the world towards a sustainable, low-carbon future. Our diversified portfolio of hydropower, wind, solar and storage facilities spans across 34 states, totaling approximately 7,300 megawatts of generating capacity, providing enough clean energy to avoid about 11 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year.

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