Governor Kathy Hochul has announced progress on a $95.8 million project to reconstruct Lake Sebago Beach at Harriman State Park, with the awarding of a key construction contract to C-Squared Constructors LLC, based in Wilton, New York. The beach has been closed since 2011 after being damaged by Tropical Storm Irene.
The reopening of Lake Sebago Beach is part of Governor Hochul’s NY Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS) initiative, which aims to expand access to safe swimming locations for residents across the state.
“Our NY SWIMS initiative is creating more accessible and affordable places where families and communities can escape extreme heat and come together for fun and relaxation,” Governor Hochul said. “Lake Sebago Beach has been beloved since it opened in the early 1950s and I’m excited a new generation of New Yorkers will finally get to enjoy swimming at this treasured lakefront at Harriman State Park.”
C-Squared Constructors LLC was awarded an $80.8 million contract as general contractor. Previous contracts were given to Stantec Landscape Architecture and Geology PC for design consulting services ($10 million) and LiRo Program and Construction Management PE PC for construction management ($5 million). Funding includes $78.1 million from the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, with an additional $17.1 million from New York State Parks capital funding. Construction is set to begin in spring 2026, with completion expected by summer 2027.
New York State Parks Acting Commissioner Kathy Moser stated, “Governor Hochul’s leadership in expanding safe swimming opportunities is reversing decades of disinvestment in swimming facilities – and this project is a prime example of that. This beach has long been an important recreation area easily accessible to the metro New York City area. Re-opening Lake Sebago to the public will provide more recreation and swimming access for a new generation of New Yorkers.”
Palisades Interstate Park Commission Executive Director Joshua Laird added, “For decades, Sebago Beach was a beloved summer destination for families from across the New York Metropolitan Area. Thanks to our colleagues at New York State Parks and Governor Hochul’s investment of Environmental Bond Act funding, this jewel of Harriman State Park will once again become a place where fond summer memories are made for generations to come.”
Amanda Lefton, Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation, said: “Governor Hochul is ensuring the investments made through the historic Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act are improving and enhancing connections to the outdoors and, in turn, the well-being of all New Yorkers. The comprehensive plan to rebuild Lake Sebago Beach will provide a beautiful respite from the summer heat, while incorporating key resiliency features that protect park infrastructure and the area’s natural resources.”
The reconstruction project covers 48 acres around Lake Sebago Beach. Plans include new sand on the beach; repairs to existing bathhouse facilities; new restrooms; capacity for over 4,000 visitors; parking for at least 900 vehicles across three lots; a promenade along the lake; two playgrounds; picnic areas; game spaces; installation of solar panels on bathhouse roofs; infrastructure supporting electric vehicle charging stations; as well as modern wastewater treatment facilities.
To enhance resilience against future storms like Tropical Storm Irene—which caused significant damage in 2011—the project includes restoration work on Stillwater Creek that flows into Lake Sebago from nearby Lake Kanawauke. The restored creek aims to reduce sediment deposits into the lake during flooding events by replacing underground piping installed during original construction in the early 1950s.
The Fiscal Year 2026 Budget allocates $200 million toward improvements throughout state parks systems. Additional initiatives include Unplug and Play ($100 million), NY PLAYS ($67.5 million), which focuses on playgrounds renovation or construction statewide, as well as ongoing support for NY SWIMS ($90 million).
NY SWIMS targets underserved communities affected by extreme heat or limited recreational options by developing state-of-the-art swimming facilities capable of serving thousands daily.
The Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act totals $4.2 billion—the largest such act in state history—and supports projects aimed at climate change mitigation ($1.5 billion), flood risk reduction/restoration ($1.1 billion), water quality/resilient infrastructure improvements ($650 million), plus land conservation/recreation efforts ($650 million). It is projected that these investments will create over 84,000 local jobs statewide.
The Office of Parks oversees more than 250 sites including parks, trails, golf courses, boat launches—serving upwards of 88 million annual visitors.
