The Nyack Village Board unanimously passed a new waterfront plan that could mean big changes at Memorial Park, the village’s oft-visited riverfront park. (The board also passed a zoning code revision, and it was Mayor John Shields’ last meeting, as well as the final meeting for trustees Marie Lorenzini and Denise Hogan.)

Now that the Village board has endorsed the waterfront plan, Nyack Parks Conservancy can move forward with some of the projects for which it already has grant funding, and start fundraising for the rest.

Some of the plans have stirred controversy. Some don’t like the idea of moving most parking (save for handicap spaces) across the inlet to the north of the park, into the marina. Park visitors would then walk across a bridge to the mostly vehicle-free and more green park. Others are unhappy that the baseball field, used by Nyack Valley Cottage Little League, will not be a permanent field, but will be used for other seasonal sports.

And then there’s the World War I memorial amid a double brick staircase that’s ripe for attracting teens and others who enjoy the hidden perch. I talked to Jen Laird White, an incoming village trustee who’s been parks commissioner and a big part of the Nyack Parks Conservancy. She said that no changes will happen there (which makes sense since it honors servicemen who gave their lives in “the world war.”) But, with better lighting, and the chain link fence of the tennis courts going, they expect that area to be less of an enticement for hanging out. (The issue of lighting throughout the village came up during the election, and was something trustee-elect Doug Foster pushed.) Lighting would certainly help Memorial Park, and especially this touching memorial to the local men who gave their lives—not only for safety, but to showcase the representation of Nyack’s history. For years, the stairs around the memorial have been a magnet for mischief, from public drinking to drug use. And the memorial has been vandalized, since it’s hard to see what’s going on there.

The changes at the park will take years, no doubt, but White said some changes will happen soon, because grants have already been obtained. Those improvements include a new full-court basketball court (though not the planned half-court) and a new fishing pier.

If you haven’t seen the plans, details can be found on the parks conservancy Web site. What do you think?

FILE PHOTO: Nyack Mayor John Shields and Park Commissioner Jen LAIRD White discuss waterfront plans for Nyack’s Memorial Park at the park Dec. 4.