Downtown_BoathouseOutsideOnline.com: Downtown Boathouse, a nonprofit group that runs one of New York City’s free kayaking services, is under threat, it says, from private companies encroaching on the waterfront.

The Hudson River Park Trust is preparing to issue a request for bids on its key waterfront spots and Boathouse president Graeme Birchall is afraid they could lose out to corporate interests who could offer the Park Trust more money. Downtown Boathouse has an operating budget of about $30,000 and relies entirely on volunteer support to operate. (READ MORE)