11th ANNUAL GREAT HUDSON RIVER PADDLE SET FOR JULY
NEW FORMAT WILL BOOST ECOTOURISM
(Albany, NY) –The Hudson River Valley Greenway is encouraging residents of the Hudson Valley and beyond to get ready for the 11th Annual Great Hudson River Paddle, scheduled for July 1-31, 2011.
Following ten highly successful years the Hudson River Valley Greenway is changing the format of the Great Hudson River Paddle (GHRP) from a single end-to-end trip to a series of many types of partner run paddles. The new Great Hudson River Paddle will be modeled on the celebrated Hudson River Valley Ramble and will include short overnight paddles, day paddles, free paddles, paddle races, and any other events our partners dream up. The goals of the change are to get more people out on the Hudson in a safe and fun environment and to bolster local economic development through increased ecotourism.
A new website allows partners to directly upload events. The GHRP website, www.greatHRpaddle.org, is ready for event entries from our partner organizations, and will be the go-to destination for paddling events this July.
The Paddle offers the opportunity for participants to enjoy a variety of kayaking and boating experiences, and canal and estuary explorations that highlight the significant historical, cultural and natural resources found throughout the Hudson River Valley. Click to watch a video about the GHRP. Experiencing these resources from the water gives participants a unique and up-close perspective that is not to be missed.
“We look forward to working with our many partners to build on the success of the Great Hudson River Paddle by providing even more people the opportunity to experience the beauty of the Hudson River,” said Mark Castiglione, Acting Director of the Hudson River Valley Greenway and National Heritage Area. “By working with agencies, municipalities, conservation groups, outfitters and tourism organizations to celebrate the Hudson River in this way, we hope the Paddle will also contribute to the Valley’s $4.7 billion dollar tourism economy.”
All Paddle events are led by guides or volunteers from participating groups, which include outfitters, paddling clubs and other water savvy groups. The core idea of GHRP remains to promote the Hudson River Greenway Water Trail and to celebrate and promote the shore towns, villages and cities of the Hudson River Valley.
Mary Kay Vrba, Director of Dutchess County Tourism and President of Hudson Valley Tourism says, "There is no better way to see the Hudson River Valley then from a kayak. Being out on the water give you a chance to enjoy nature at its best. See bald eagle, view historic landscapes and magnificent homes along the river. Take this opportunity to Follow the River and discover the Hudson Valley"
Larry Federman, Audubon NY’s Education Coordinator for the RamsHorn Livingston Sanctuary said, “Each reach of the Hudson River offers something different to experience. These paddles will give folks an opportunity to glean from local guides information about their unique flora and fauna”.
Ned Sullivan, president of Scenic Hudson, said, “You can’t beat the Hudson Valley as a summer destination. Paddling the Hudson is an ideal way to experience the world-class natural beauty and recreation opportunities our region has to offer. We’re proud that six Scenic Hudson parks in three counties are part of the Greenway Water Trail. Whether you’re an experienced kayaker or a novice—take part in the Great Hudson River Paddle for an outdoor experience you’ll long remember.”
The Great Hudson River Paddle is sponsored by the Hudson River Valley Greenway. The Hudson River Valley Greenway is a New York State agency within the Executive Department, established by the Greenway Act of 1991. The 94 site Hudson River Greenway Water Trail covers 256 miles from Hadley and Whitehall to Manhattan. Presently, 265 out of the 324 eligible municipalities within the Greenway area have joined the Greenway and over 800 miles of trail have been designated as part of the Hudson River Greenway Trail System. The Greenway is designed to encourage Hudson River Valley communities, agencies and, not-for-profit partners to work together to develop projects and initiatives related to the criteria of natural and cultural resource protection, regional and local planning, economic development, public access to the Hudson River (as well as other regional and local resources), and heritage and environmental education. It provides technical assistance and small grants for planning, capital projects, and water trail and land-based trails that reinforce the Greenway Criteria. In keeping with the New York tradition of home rule, the Greenway program has no regulatory authority. The participation of municipalities in Greenway programs and projects is entirely voluntary.
Visit www.hudsonrivervalley.com for more information on the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area
No comments:
Post a Comment