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Governor
Cuomo Announces Addition of 131 Acres
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to
Moreau Lake State Park
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Addition
Protects Diminishing Open Space,
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Expands
Access to Outdoor Recreation
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Moreau Lake State Park Celebrates
50th Anniversary This Year
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Albany,
NY – December 2018 / Newsmaker Alert / Governor
Andrew M. Cuomo has announced the addition of 131 acres to Moreau
Lake State Park. The addition brings the park’s total acreage to
6,100, a nearly nine-fold increase in size since the park was established
50 years ago. The property will help expand year-round trail-based recreation
and protect the natural habitat in fast-growing northern Saratoga County.
“New
York is home to some of the best outdoor recreation areas in the nation,
and this addition will continue to preserve our state’s treasured natural
habitat,” Governor Cuomo said. “By expanding Moreau Lake State Park, we
are not only providing increased recreational opportunities for New Yorkers,
we will also help attract even more visitors and boost tourism in the region.”
“This
addition to Moreau Lake State Park will increase the size of the park and
expand recreational activities for visitors,” said Lieutenant Governor
Kathy Hochul. “As the park celebrates 50 years, we are continuing to grow
and preserve it in Saratoga County. We are committed to growing natural
habitats across the state, boosting tourism opportunities and strengthening
the economy of upstate communities.”
The
new parcel will expand the park’s trail network, provide access to scenic
views and protect open space. The new 131-acre parcel encompasses multiple
summits, including Palmertown Mountain, and affords dramatic views of the
Hudson Valley and southern Adirondack Mountains. The vistas will help add
to the park’s appeal as an increasingly popular destination for bald eagle
watching, when eagles winter along the Hudson River.
The
New York State Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation plans
to create a new trailhead and parking area at the Sherman Island Boat Launch
on Spier Falls Road to provide access the new parkland. Connections to
existing trails will create new long-distance hiking opportunities, including
the planned Palmertown Range trail, which would link the park to Saratoga
Springs. The land will also be open to hunting in season.
This
acquisition will also protect the region’s natural habitat. This area lies
at the ecological transition zone between the Adirondack Mountains and
the Hudson Valley, and retains a high degree of biodiversity. Moreau Lake
is a designated Bird Conservation Area, and is recognized by Audubon as
an Important Bird Area. This area also contains a significant Hemlock-Northern
Hardwood ecological community.
Moreau
Lake State Park was 700 acres when established in 1968. Its boundaries
have grown substantially over the last few years, including the addition
of more than 705 acres added from the former Mt. McGregor Correctional
Facility.
State
Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey said, “It is fitting that as Moreau
Lake State Park celebrates its 50th anniversary, the park continues to
build on New York State’s remarkable conservation legacy. These scenic
lands not only offer tremendous recreational opportunities in the region,
they contribute to clean air and water and preserve valued natural habitat.
I am grateful for Governor Cuomo’s support for our public lands.”
Senator
Betty Little said, “Moreau Lake State Park is one of the Capital Region’s
most treasured outdoor recreational facilities. Residents and visitors
alike visit to enjoy the trails, scenic views and diverse wildlife population,
and adding even more acreage to this park will only further attract visitors
to experience the natural beauty of our state. I thank Governor Cuomo for
his commitment to providing New Yorkers with the best outdoor recreation
in the nation.”
Senator
Kathleen A. Marchione said, “Governor Cuomo’s plan to invest in our
State Parks will not only benefit New Yorkers who enjoy the outdoors, it
protects our state’s diminishing open spaces and natural resources. Moreau
Lake State Park is home to a diverse population of plant and animal life,
and this expansion will further protect the park’s natural habitat while
increasing access for visitors. I’m excited to see the great improvements
that are coming to this park.”
Assembly
Member Carrie Woerner said, “Visitors come from across the globe to
experience the natural beauty of New York State, and Moreau State Lake
Park is a shining example of our State Parks. By adding 131 acres to the
Park, we are creating more recreational opportunities for visitors and
residents to explore. I commend Governor Cuomo for his dedication to our
community and all of our State Parks.”
Maria
Trabka, Executive Director of Saratoga PLAN, said, “The economic and
ecological integrity of the Palmertown Range will persist when there is
adequate contiguous land conserved. With this acquisition, New York State
is ensuring the future of an important, premier working landscape in Saratoga
County.”
The
additional park acreage underscores Governor Cuomo’s commitment to improving
and expanding access to outdoor recreation. The Governor’s NY
Parks 2020 plan is a multi-year commitment to leverage a broad range
of private and public funding to invest approximately $900 million in State
Parks through 2020.
Moreau
Lake State Park serves nearly 400,000 visitors a year, who are drawn to
its sandy beach, campground, nearly 40 miles of nature, hiking and cross-country
ski trails, and opportunities for boating, fishing and ice fishing.
The
New
York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees
more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses,
boat launches and more, which are visited by 71 million people annually.
A recent study found that New York State Parks generates $5 billion in
park and visitor spending, which supports nearly 54,000 jobs and over $2.8
billion in additional state GDP. For more information on any of these recreation
areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit
www.parks.ny.gov,
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Twitter.
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Source
Document
Media
Contact:
Governor's
Press Office
518-474-8418
Press.Office@exec.ny.gov |