Scenic Byway Designation Boosts Shawangunk Tourism
Published Apr 15, 2008
Former Gov. George Pataki signed legislation approving the designation of the Shawangunk Mountains Scenic Byway. Meanwhile, an inter-municipal cooperative organization is working to implement a Corridor Management Plan to encourage economic growth and tourism while preserving the natural resources of the unique region.
Managed by a regional partnership of 11 towns and villages encircling the northern Shawangunk Mountains, the Shawangunk Mountains Scenic Byway will offer numerous scenic views, historical landmarks and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. The Byway now encompasses an 82-mile-loop around the mountains – including the communities of Crawford, Ellenville, Gardiner, Marbletown, Montgomery, New Paltz, Rochester, Rosendale, Shawangunk and Wawarsing.
“What we have is a network of roads – but it’s really a network of people with 11 municipalities working together,” explains project manager and landscape consultant Al Wegener. “The network of people will determine the success of the roads.
The Byway serves as a common bond to the municipalities around it for economic development, better transportation and preservation of resources.”
The plan calls for expanding recreational activities, promoting tourism, improving transportation and traffic flow with guardrails and shoulders on the roadway, providing safe bicycle trails and improving the design, landscaping and management of the corridor to make it more aesthetically pleasing. The partnership will implement tourism and economic development projects over the next few years, including comprehensive signage to explain the route and interpret resources along the Byway.
“The result will be increased tourism and enhanced economic growth in the valleys,” Wegener says.
Story by Caryn L. Stumpfl
Current Weather Conditions In Albany, NY (12205)
Cloudy, and 29 ° F. For more details?
Click here...
