After being damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, a shoreline at Haverstraw Bay Park was improved with a less-is-more maintenance plan and redesign that includes a wide buffer zone of native vegetation between the mowed park lawn and cobble beach at the water’s edge. The new shoreline protects and improves shoreline habitat and accommodates public access to the waterfront.

• Lower maintenance cost is a significant benefit of sustainable shoreline redesign. 
• Park Manager Mike DiMola said: “We saved money, worked less, and did something more natural at the same time.” He also wanted to make clear that “[we are] transitioning our management plan from actively manicured landscape into a natural habitat.”