Catskill Center Issues Statements on Recommended Long-Term Catskill Park Management
As part of the Catskill Strategic Planning Advisory Group (CAG), the Catskill Center helped shape the recommended strategic framework for long-term management of the Catskill Park. This framework is greatly needed as more and more visitors descend upon the Park’s recreational areas. High use is straining natural resources, as well as associated infrastructure, such as parking. It’s critical that we build upon sustainable recreation efforts.
“The CAG’s Final Report represents a broad consensus of Catskill Park stakeholders — including towns, counties, non-profit partners, user groups, land managers, and scientists — that the Catskill Park must be actively managed to protect natural resources, provide equitable access to outdoor recreation, and benefit our communities,” said Jeff Senterman, Executive Director of the Catskill Center. “A key method of managing the increasing visitor numbers is to direct visitors to the Catskills Visitor Center, the key location offering Park information and interpretive services, and where staff can help point visitors to appropriate locations.”
The Catskill Center urges optimal use of its Catskills Visitor Center (CVC) by having all kiosks in the Park reference the Catskills Visitor Center (the only official visitor center for the Catskill Park). In fact, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) has a survey open to the public all year about information provided on its kiosks. In addition, the CVC and NYSDEC should help other visitor centers throughout the region by standardizing information about the Catskill Park that is available to the public.
Furthermore, the State and the Catskills Visitor Center should explore the use of a mobile visitor center that could park at different trailheads, swimming areas, and Park entry points throughout the year. This would create an additional touchpoint for Park visitors.
“We urge New York State’s continued investment in the CVC, through the dedicated line-item funding in the Environmental Protection Fund. The CVC represents a highly successful, decades-long partnership between the State and the Catskill Center. Together, we’ve been able to do more together than would be possible individually,” said Senterman. “The CAG’s Final Report clearly calls for multiple enhancements at the CVC, including the addition of a mobile visitor center. While the Catskill Center stands ready to work on all aspects of this report, an increased annual funding commitment from New York State would be critical to expanded services.”
The Catskill Center runs a Catskill Stewards Program, hiring seasonal staff to greet visitors and educate them about responsible recreation at high-use areas across the Catskill Park. The stewardship program reached about 96,000 visitors at high-use areas across the Catskills in 2021. While seemingly a high number, this accounts for less than 1% of visitors to the region. The CAG Final Report encourages the expansion of this program, including the Ridge Runner program that is currently along the Devil’s Path.
“The Catskill Stewards Program, as identified in the CAG’s final report, is a key program for welcoming, educating, and directing visitors throughout the Catskill Park. In addition, the Stewards are a critical component of the successful public access permit system at the Peekamoose Blue Hole,” Senterman said. “We applaud State Senator Michelle Hinchey for her commitment to funding a portion of this program in the New York State budget for the past two years, and now strongly urge the Governor and the Legislature to support this program with a dedicated, permanent line item in the Environmental Protection Fund to ensure the program is maintained and can continue to grow to address our increasing visitor numbers.”
Other recommendations include conducting a feasibility study of a shuttle for the Kaaterskill Clove as well as considering the expansion of a permitting system, like the one in effect during peak season for the Blue Hole, to other hot spots.
The CAG recently submitted its final report to the NYSDEC.