The Wawayanda Creek Project: A story in three acts

One soon to be realized result will be a new launch station directly into the creek that avoids paddling under the two frequently obstructed bridges where the creek starts at the foot of Wickham Lake.

Warwick /

| 12 Jan 2022 | 02:25

Wawayanda Creek committee members clearing one of the many downed trees.

Supervisor Michael Sweeton and Mayor Michael Newhart (in center with red vests) and others welcome arriving kayakers at Wickham Lake.]

Some of the 50 boats heading towards the Village of Warwick on the day of the Great Paddle.]

The newly cleared area where kayaks can be launched directly into the Creek.

In the mid-1990’s, Community 2000 led a town-wide Community Visioning effort that led to many positive steps forward for Warwick, ideas that are still producing benefits. Four years ago, the same organization, now renamed Community2gether, conducted a second Visioning, a process that gave rise to more great ideas. One of those ideas was transforming the Wawayanda Creek into a first-class kayaking and canoeing waterway that would provide beautiful, sustainable recreation for both residents and visitors.

Act One: A community project is launched

The Wawayanda Creek project gathered steam almost immediately. By the spring of 2019, a strong committee of outdoor enthusiasts and community development volunteers had formed and people got to work. Some got out their hip boots and chain saws and started clearing downed trees, others contacted Creek-side landowners and made sure they were comfortable with our plans, and still others worked on planning community events.

Those initial efforts culminated in the first Great Wawayanda Paddle on June 3, when more than 50 kayaks went from Wickham Lake to Memorial Park in the Village. All agreed it was a great day and the start of a wonderful new Warwick tradition.

Act Two: An unexpected snag

After the great success and high hopes of 2019, came 2020 ... and the Covid pandemic. Basically, while the Creek kept on flowing, the Wawayanda committee’s activity ground to a halt and the focus shifted to 2021. The pandemic unfortunately also focused on 2021 and the Omicron virus knocked out another year of kayaking, but not of planning. During 2021, the Wawayanda committee met with town and village officials, and some important projects are now on the drawing board.

Act Three: The Future

In the short term, hopefully by the start of the outdoor season, kayakers can look forward to some important improvements: A new launch station directly into the Creek that avoids paddling under the two frequently obstructed bridges where the Creek starts at the foot of Wickham Lake. At the behest of Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton, a supporter of the project from its inception, the town DPW has already cleared the access point and plans call for a short gravel road and small parking area just for kayakers.

Plans are under way as well in the Village of Warwick. Mayor Michael Newhart and Village Engineer Dave Getz have been working closely with committee members to find a site for a kayak docking station that will enable kayakers to put their boats on secure racks and visit the village for lunch or a stroll on Main St.

The longer term vision for the committee is to turn the Creek into a true kayaking Mecca running from Wickham Lake, through the Village, and on south to where the Wawayanda joins the larger Pochuck Creek in New Jersey. We hope that will create yet another reasons for lovers of the outdoors to come to Warwick.

The Wawayanda Creek Project: A story in three acts

One soon to be realized result will be a new launch station directly into the creek that avoids paddling under the two frequently obstructed bridges where the creek starts at the foot of Wickham Lake.

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