Beacon Sloop Club Inc

In 1969 the newly built sloop 'Clearwater' first visited Beacon. A small band of local youngsters and oldsters organized a welcoming festival to support the valiant crew of the sloop and to help spread Clearwater's environmental message. Thus began the Beacon Sloop Club. Over the years, volunteers have enlarged and improved the former Ferry Diner at the riverfront transforming it into a community gathering place. The spruce tree that once stood outside the diner now grows through the roof. The decaying remains of the former industrial complex have been removed. Docks, launch ramps and a mooring field have all been installed and maintained by volunteers. . In 1978 Pete and Toshi Seeger had the replica ferry sloop Woody Guthrie built to serve the local community. Thousands of guests on our free sails have learned a new appreciation of the glorious Hudson River and our sailing programs have taught hundreds the art of sailing. Our first big victory came after years of petitions and festivals. Riverfront Park was created from a former garbage dump and a raw sewage leak nearby was located and stopped. The river is now safe for swimming thanks not only to Clearwater and the Sloop Club , but to dozens of other organizations all over the country that have pressured Washington for funding of sewage treatment plants. There's still a big job ahead. Toxic waste in our waterways threatens our health and safety, causing cancer, birth defects, and other undesirable conditions; power plants kill billions of young fish and climate change threatens to disrupt the delicate ecosystems. This little grassroots club will continue to be part of the ongoing campaign. We welcome folks both young and old to join us. It's been quite a ride since 1969 and the best is yet to come! - Pete Seeger and Others