Catskill Center Urges Public Input on the Future of the Catskill Park

Comment Period Closes Feb 3

January 26, 2022.. Arkville, NY: The Catskill Strategic Planning Advisory Group's (CAG) Interim Report (known as the Immediate Action Recommendations Report) includes proposed actions that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), along with state and local partners, could take to balance high use of the Catskill Forest Preserve with the land’s protection. The Catskill Center encourages the public to comment on these proposed actions by the February 3 deadline.

"While the members of the CAG, including the Catskill Center, put in much time and effort, and we had a very well received public survey, we were well aware that we weren't able to adequately represent all experiences of visitors to and residents of the Catskill Park,” said Jeff Senterman, Executive Director of the Catskill Center. “It’s imperative that we have robust public feedback on the proposed plan to help guide the CAG as we embark upon the hard work of developing detailed recommendations to build on the themes in the Interim Report. Public feedback at this stage informs that process and will lead to a richer, more detailed, and more inclusive Final Report that will set the stage for the protection and management of the Catskill Park."

The CAG’s proposed actions, put forth in a report the DEC released in early January, would protect the park’s natural and historic resources, and ensure a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive experience at the Park. Such actions would depend upon funding and continued partnership.

The CAG met throughout 2021 to develop the Interim Report with recommendations for immediate actions along the Route 23A corridor in the vicinity of Kaaterskill Clove. Long-term management strategies for the Catskill Park include coordinating consistent messaging and communication across different mediums; implementing traffic and parking management strategies; and educating visitors about responsible recreation.

The public may submit comments on the report to CatskillPark@dec.ny.gov by Feb. 3, 2022. The Interim Report can be found here