Catskill Center Changes Name Of Its Interpretive Center To Catskills Visitor Center
Cites 36 Percent Increase in Visitors in 2018, 117% Increase Since 2015   

ARKVILLE, NY – April 1, 2019 --- The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development (Catskill Center), celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, today announced its four-year-old Catskill Interpretive Center (CIC) has been renamed The Catskills Visitor Center and remains dedicated to the late Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey.  
 
Located in Mt. Tremper, NY, near the entrance to the Park on State Rte. 28, the facility is the only visitor center in the 700,000-acre Catskill Park.  It continues as a partnership between the Catskill Center and the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation.
 
According to Jeff Senterman, executive director of the Catskill Center, the number of people coming to the visitor center increased by 36 percent from 2017 through 2018, from 7,956 to 10,804, and by 117 percent from 4,969 in 2015 (its first year with only six months of operation) to the end of 2018.  
 
“We’re thrilled with this growth rate and believe the Catskills Visitor Center name will further accelerate recognition and use of the facility.  And we are committed to seek ways to enhance the visitor center as the gateway destination to the Catskill Park, not only showcasing the Park but also supporting regional economic growth through expanded tourism.”
 
Senterman noted over the past four years, exhibits have been added telling the story of the Catskills through delivery systems designed to build better understanding of both the Park and region and new exhibits will be installed throughout 2019.  The visitor center will continue to offer a full-time staff and daily volunteers to provide maps, adventure advice, and information on shopping, lodging, restaurants and other information.  A new road sign will welcome visitors this summer. 
 
The Catskills Visitor Center differs from most traditional welcome centers by offering several trails for educational walks on its 60-acre property, including hikes along the Esopus River.  A fully restored fire tower overseeing the Park will be installed on site this summer. 
 
The visitor center also provides facilities for more than 40 events, including frequent lectures on the natural, historical and cultural resources of the Catskill Park and region.  “Our annual Catskill Mountain Book Festival, featuring lectures by local authors and publishers, is one of the largest scheduled events in the Catskill region attracting up to 1,000 participants yearly,” Senterman said.