New York – June 30, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Four outdoor access projects to make outdoor recreational sites more accessible to New Yorkers of all abilities are now complete, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens announced today. The $245,000 in projects are part of a statewide effort to increase access to boat launches, fishing access sites, trails and other outdoor sites and are funded by the NY Works program.
“New York’s parks and outdoor access sites are among some of the most beautiful in the world,” Commissioner Martens said. “With these upgrades, New Yorkers and visitors of all abilities can enjoy the many benefits of the state’s vast and breathtaking natural resources.”
Black Creek Fishing Access Site, Monroe County: $171,835
Construction is now complete at the Black Creek fishing access site, a popular gateway to the Genesee River, in the town of Chili. These improvements included building an American with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible boat launch and dock; new parking lot pavement; landscaping and perimeter fencing, informational signs; and a kiosk and picnic tables. With these upgrades, the site now provides the parking and access needed for anglers on this highly used area where the Black Creek enters the Genesee River.
Wellsville-Addison-Galeton (WAG) Trail, Allegany County: $40,000
DEC crews installed three parking areas and six informational kiosks to improve fishing and recreation access to the Wellsville-Addison-Galeton (WAG) Rail Trail located in the towns of Wellsville and Willing. The nine-mile DEC multi-use trail closely follows the upper Genesee River along the historic route of the Wellsville, Addison and Galeton Railroad from the village of Wellsville to the Pennsylvania state line.
Phillips Creek Horse Trails, Allegany County: $25,000
Crews completed work at the Phillips Creek Horse trails in the towns of West Almond and Ward. The site now features new horse stalls, picnic pavilions, a universally accessible ramp and sign kiosks to help enhance the equestrian experience with picnic tables and fire rings to be installed soon. The horse trails are located in the vast Phillips Creek State Forest, which in addition to horseback riding, offers recreational activities including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, hiking and hunting.
Township 19 Conservation Easement, Hamilton County: $7,500
DEC has opened new roads and facilities on nearly 25,000 acres of forest preserve and conservation easement lands in the Adirondacks, including The Township 19 Conservation Easement in the town of Indian Lake. DEC crews created a 1,600-acre open public recreation use area using 2.6 miles of O’Neil Flow Road and Barker Pond Road. This provides access to Barker Pond, and hunting and camping on an adjacent forest preserve parcel.
O’Neil Flow Road is located off State Route 30/28 between the communities of Blue Mountain Lake and Indian Lake. The road not only provides access to the public use area but also to thousands of acres of adjacent Forest Preserve lands in the Blue Mountain Lake Wild Forest. Food, supplies, gas and lodging for those using the Township Conservation Easement Lands can be found in the nearby communities of Blue Mountain Lake and Indian Lake.
These projects are being funded by Governor Cuomo’s NY Works program and are part of the NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative to improve recreational opportunities for sportsmen and woman and to boost tourism activities throughout the state. This includes streamlining fishing and hunting licenses, reducing license fees, improving access for fishing and increasing hunting opportunities in New York State. In support of this initiative, last year $10 million in NY Works funding went toward fish hatchery repairs and 50 new land and water access projects such as boat launches, hunting blinds, rails and parking areas.
Under the initiative, the 2015-2016 Enacted Budget included an additional $8 million for state land access projects and an additional $4 million for the state’s hatcheries in NY Works funding. The Budget also creates a new capital account which along with federal Pittman-Robertson funds will be used to manage, protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat, and to improve and develop public access for fish and wildlife-related recreation
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