Catskill Interpretive Kiosk Dedication by Congressman Hinchey, Commissioner Grannis, and other community leaders

Tuesday, August 31, 2010: Congressman Maurice Hinchey and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis, together with other local community leaders, were in Mount Tremper on Tuesday to dedicate the Catskill Interpretive Kiosk. Today’s ribbon-cutting officially declares this Catskill information resource open for visitors and residents to use and benefit from.

The Catskill Interpretive Kiosk, filled with sixteen illustrative and informative display panels on Catskill natural history, culture, and recreational activities, is located at the future site of the Catskill Interpretive Center on Route 28, 20-miles west of Kingston. The Kiosk offers an abundance of information for visitors to the Catskills as well as local residents at a scenic roadside area. It is a microcosm of the displays planned for the Catskill Interpretive Center and a first-step toward the realization of this long-anticipated education center. Over the years, both             Photo courtesy of NYSDEC Susan L Shafer Congressman Hinchey and the NYS DEC have shown steadfast commitment to the creation of the Catskill Interpretive Center.

Congressman Hinchey stated: "The new Catskill Interpretive Kiosk site will provide area residen

ts with a wide array of information about this naturally beautiful part of our state and country while also serving as a guide for visitors who may be discovering our region of the world for the very first time." He went on to say "I've lived in the Catskill region ever since I was a little boy and have always had a fond appreciation for these mountains and the natural settings in which we live.  This kiosk and the forthcoming Catskill Interpretive Center will serve both an educational purpose while also supporting tourism in the region."

Commissioner Grannis said: "The Catskill Park is an amazing place—with more than 90 peak

s of over 3,000 feet, 700,000 acres of forests, alpine meadows, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, cliffs and a unique history and culture. And now, through these interpretive panels, visitors will learn about the park’s rich history and the abundant outdoor recreation experiences that can be found here – including outstanding hiking,
camping, canoeing, rock climbing, mountain biking, hunting, fishing and skiing. This new kiosk is a terrific example of how public/private partnerships can achieve something special."

Five organizations have partnered to complete the Catskill Interpretive Kiosk—a step toward the Catskill Interpretive Center. Representatives from The Friends of the Catskill Interpretive Center, The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, The Trust for Public Land, Central Catskills Collaborative, NYS DEC, were on hand for the dedication as well.

Alan White, Executive Director of the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, sai

d: “the Catskill Interpretive Kiosk is an important first step toward the Catskill Interpretive Center, a facility that will be a core element of the long term tourism and recreation strategy for the Catskills.”  He went on to state: “The Catskill Center is thankful for all the organizations and volunteers who have come together to make the Kiosk possible.”

In 1988, the Mount Tremper site was secured for the Interpretive Center, but the project was put on hold in 1995. In 2003, The Friends of the Catskill Interpretive Center formed to reinvigorate this project. SUNY Delhi played an integral role in bringing this project from concept to reality—their  Architecture Club and Construction Technology Program designed and built the Kiosk. Sixteen display panels were designed, printed and mounted by NYS DEC with assistance from the partnering organizations and input from the public. The construction of the Kiosk was a community endeavor  funded by private donations and public funds and supported by volunteers. The Friends of the Catskill Interpretive Center is raising funds for the Catskill Interpretive Center.

Photo courtesy of NYSDEC Susan L Shafer