Mayor's Message

Sojourner Truth Swimming Area Groundbreaking

Governor Hochul in Kingston for Medicaid Rally

Invasive Species Alert: How to Spot a Spotted Lanternfly

Mayor Noble's Upcoming Listening Tour Meetings

Paving + Weekly Roadwork/Infrastructure Update

City of Kingston Board & Commission and Job Opportunities

Mayor's Message:

Dear Friends -

We are so fortunate to have the Sojourner Truth State Park right here in Kingston, which provides spectacular outdoor opportunities in our unique natural environment, and whose name honors one of our local heroes.

Today, we broke ground on exciting new amenities to grow and expand the offerings at Sojourner Truth. I thank Governor Hochul for championing and continuing to invest in this park, which will be enjoyed by our residents and visitors for generations to come.

The Midtown Make a Difference Day event is on until 7:00pm tonight on Franklin Ave. This is always a wonderful community event-- and I hope to see you there!

-Steve

Sojourner Truth Swimming Area Groundbreaking

Today Governor Kathy Hochul announced the groundbreaking for major elements of Sojourner Truth State Park, including a new swimming facility and bathhouse pavilion.

On the western side of the park, spring-fed quarry lake waters will become a public swimming facility named in honor of Sojourner Truth’s daughter, Sophia — the first new swimming facility in the State Parks system in 20 years. Other amenities slated to be completed by summer of 2026 include a new park entrance, entry road, trails and restrooms for visitors, and staff maintenance and administrative buildings. Restoration of historic structures that illustrate the manufacturing history of the park grounds is also included in the plans.

Aligning with Governor Hochul’s Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS) initiative that invests in expanding swimming access across the State, Lake Sophia will offer hundreds of swimmers the option to enjoy a more structured swimming experience within a 12,000-square-foot floating swim crib or in a more adventurous deep-swim area. The swim crib will provide a safe environment for those learning to swim or who would benefit from the comprehensive accessible design. An adjacent pavilion will include public restrooms and showers, a first aid station and lifeguard facilities.

“A lack of access to safe and convenient swimming opportunities has denied far too many New Yorkers the chance to get off line and get outside by engaging with the water and learning foundational water safety skills,” Gov. Hochul said. “The buildout at Sojourner Truth State Park is a step in the right direction to effect real change for Hudson Valley communities. This time next year, Ulster County residents and visitors will be welcomed to Lake Sophia to beat the heat and enjoy all that Sojourner Truth State Park has to offer, with more exciting park amenities continuing to be unveiled through 2027.”

Named in honor of the life and legacy of 19th century African American abolitionist and suffragist, Sojourner Truth, the new park reclaims more than 500 acres of Hudson River shoreline land shared by the City of Kingston and the Town of Ulster and advances New York State’s commitment to Bond Act investments in disadvantaged communities.

Additional buildout throughout Sojourner Truth State Park completed by 2027 will include additional trails including a scenic overlook destination; a repurposed industrial site with public restrooms, designed to host outdoor community events; and installations to interpret the area’s Indigenous Lenape heritage, industrial history, geology and natural environment. The entire project was designed to minimize the footprint of the improvements, maximize accessibility, foster the re-establishment of native ecosystems in the post-industrial landscape, and improve recreational opportunities in disadvantaged communities.

The $75.6 million dollar project is largely supported by $68.1 million in funding from the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act at a location ideal for conservation, revitalization, and recreational public use. An additional $7.5 million in funding is supported by New York Works funding.

More information and renderings can be found here.

Swimming area rendering

Governor Hochul in Kingston for Medicaid Rally

This morning, here in Kingston, Governor Hochul joined Representative Ryan, local officials, doctors, farmers, and nonprofit workers to sound the alarm on the detrimental effects of recent cuts to healthcare, which are anticipated to impact almost $13 billion to New York’s health care system. Upwards of 1.5 million New Yorkers could lose their health insurance coverage, and over 300,000 households are projected to lose some/all of their SNAP benefits.

Over two million New Yorkers could lose their current insurance coverage. Out of these 2 million people, 1.5 million New Yorkers are expected to become uninsured. As a result, uncompensated care costs to hospitals and providers are projected to rise to over $3 billion annually. This means that New Yorkers will have less access to care and will face higher medical bills.

Analysis from the Greater New York Hospital Association (GNYHA) and the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) estimates a total $8 billion in annual cuts to New York’s hospitals and health systems, which could force hospitals to curtail critically needed services such as maternity care and psychiatric treatment, not to mention to downsize operations, and even close entirely. These consequences will not only affect Medicaid enrollees, but also harm everyone who requires hospital care, leading to longer wait times and less access to critical services.

Additionally, NYS is facing over $900 million in lost SNAP benefits due to new, more punitive program requirements that will make it harder for people to qualify for the assistance they need. The law also cuts funding for the SNAP-Ed New York Program, which promotes healthy eating and efficient use of already limited SNAP benefits.

In New York State alone, over 18,000 retailers, including grocery stores, local shops and more than 400 SNAP-authorized local farmers’ markets and farm stands, accept SNAP. The loss of SNAP sales and matching dollars will have a critical impact on local economies.

Watch the event here. More about how the cuts will affect us locally here.

Governor Hochul today at the Kingston YMCA

How to Spot a Spotted Lanternfly

The Spotted Lanternfly is a new, invasive species to New York. From now in July until early September they will be turning from black with white spots to bright red with white spots. They do not sting or bite, and are not directly harmful to people or pets, but are fast jumpers when you try to squish them.

What to do: The current recommendation from New York State and US Fish and Wildlife is to kill the insects or destroy the eggs after identifying. Cornell University has a useful guide for different strategies.

Host species: Tree of Heaven is the #1 host species for Spotted Lanternfly. It is a highly invasive plant that can be found around Kingston. However, cutting down even small Tree of Heaven can lead to root sprouts and several, new trees popping up around the stump. Penn State has a complete identification guide and calendar for best removal strategies.

Mayor Noble's Listening Tour Meetings

Mayor Noble, along with Council members from each ward, is hosting monthly ward meetings to meet with residents and hear their concerns.

Thank you for everyone who came out to the Ward 4 Listening Tour meeting on Monday. We had a great conversation.

The Listening Tour meeting for Ward 5 has a new date! It will be held on Monday, July 28. Save the date for Ward 6 on Monday, September 8, 2025.

Ward 5

with Alderwoman Teryl Mickens

Monday, July 28, 2025

5:30pm

Good Work Institute, 65 St James Street

Ward 6

with Alderman Bob Dennison

Monday, September 8, 2025

5:30pm

Landmark Place, 300 Flatbush Ave.

Future monthly ward meetings will be announced in the coming weeks.

Paving & Roadwork/Infrastructure Update

Paving– the next round of paving will be next week on the following roads:

• Pine Street from Maiden Lane to Greenkill Avenue
• Greenkill Avenue from Wall Street to Marius Street
• Marius Street from Washington Avenue to Glen Street
• Glen Street and Glen St Extension

Milling is expected to begin on Monday, July 21, with paving expected to be completed by Friday, July 25, 2025, weather depending.

Wurts Street Bridge– Wurts Street Bridge will be partially closed for four days for a routine inspection. From Monday, July 21 to Thursday, July 24, Wurts Street will be closed between Abeel Street in Kingston and Connelly Road in Port Ewen from 9:00am to 3:00pm each day.

Prospect Street sewer project– the project on Prospect Street is complete except for pavement marking.  

Central Hudson– main installation will continue the week of July 21 on Cedar Avenue and Greenkill Avenue between Sterling Avenue and Broadway with possible lane changes and/or road closures. 

Main installation will continue the week of July 21 on Voorhees Avenue and Alcazar Avenue with possible lane changes and/or road closures. Service replacements will also begin on Merilina Avenue, Voorhees Avenue, and Alcazar Avenue.  

The weekly roadwork update can be found on the City website here.

Current conditions on Pine Street, pre-paving

City of Kingston Job and Board/Commision Opportunities

The City of Kingston is hiring! The following positions are currently open:

• Traffic Electrician 
• Motor Equipment Operator
• KWD Water Treatment Plant Operator
• WWTP Mechanic II
• Solid Waste Foreman    

The following Civil Service exams are being offered:

• Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Trainee on August 9
• Custodian on August 9, 2025
• Account Clerk on August 9, 2025

For more information on civil service exams and job opportunities, please visit https://kingston-ny.gov/employment

The City has over 25 boards & commissions, and we're always looking for volunteers to serve the community. The following currently have openings:

• Live Well Kingston
• Board of Water Commissioners
• Ethics Board
• Recreation Commission
• Conservation Advisory Council
• Zoning Board of Appeals
• Kingston Local Development Corporation Board

Find the application at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KingstonBoards.

The Kingston 311 app, website, and phone system allow residents to quickly and easily report issues and submit service requests.

The Kingston 311 app, available for Android & iPhones, is a fast and simple way to connect to City officials in non-emergency situations. Photos can be attached to illustrate service orders.



This system is a valuable resource to submit municipal service requests. Examples include:

• Streetlight replacement
• City signage, including overgrowth blocking traffic signs
• Snow removal, reporting parking violations, and other snow issues
• Parks & playground repairs
• Report graffiti or vandalism
• Trail issues

Dial 311 from any phone within City limits to reach us, use the app or visit www.kingston-ny.gov/311/