Environment DEC
From the June 2004 issue
Catskill Park Centennial Celebration Activities
The New York State Constitution protects the Catskill Forest Preserve so that "lands shall not be leased, sold, removed or destroyed"
A full slate of activities, designed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the law creating the Catskill State Park, is set to begin. The Catskill Forest Preserve encompasses 705,500 acres of public and private land in Delaware, Greene, Sullivan and Ulster counties.
Centennial Proclamation
Earlier this year, Governor George E. Pataki proclaimed 2004 as the year of the Catskill Park Centennial, "...in recognition of its significance to this State and nation, and with respect to its glorious past, as we hail a new century of celebration of the park, its people, communities and setting of such unsurpassed beauty."
Pristine waters bubble
through the Willowemoc
Creek, a tributary of
the Beaver Kill
Catskill celebrations will include
great family entertainment
The Catskill Park Centennial Celebration will feature events and activities throughout the year, including a special 10-day event October 2 through 11. This event will showcase the Catskill Park through a series of guided hiking, walking, paddling and biking events focused on the natural, scenic, historical and cultural resources found within the Park.
Catskill Centennial Events
- Catskill Tales and Tunes: Ira and Laurie McIntosh have already begun moving around the Park performing a mix of local traditional songs and stories, legends, anecdotes and Catskill Mountain lore related to railroads, immigrant populations, building of the New York City reservoirs, forest products, bluestone industries and tourism. For more information, call (845) 586-2611.
- National Trails Day: Historic fire towers on Balsam Lake Mountain, Hunter Mountain, Mount Tremper, Overlook Mountain and Red Hill will be open to the public on June 5, 2004. All require a moderate hike.
- Belleayre Mountain Music Festival: The "Concert for the Catskill Park Centennial" will take place Saturday, July 3, 2004 at 8 pm at the Belleayre Mountain Ski Center on Route 28 in Highmount. This event will feature the debut of the Belleayre Festival Orchestra, which will premier a new work, "The Catskill Overture," by conductor laureate Maestro John Covelli. Also featured will be Catskill Mountain musicians Jay Ungar and Molly Mason.
- Catskill Park Centennial Chautauqua: Re-enactors, storytellers, lecturers, musicians, singers, minstrels, actors and poets will reflect on the wonders of the Catskills beginning on July 11, 2004 at the fifth annual Mountain Culture Festival at the Catskill Mountain Foundation on Route 23A in Hunter.
- The Fire Observation Towers of New York State: This traveling program by author Paul Laskey will be held at the Catskill Center in Arkville, Delaware County, on July 25, 2004; at the Olive Library in West Shokan, Ulster County on September 4, 2004; and at the Rockland Town Hall in Livngston Manor, Sullivan County on October 4, 2004.
- Thirtieth Anniversary of the Mountain Top Historical Society: A special exhibit of B.B.G. Stone paintings of Kaaterskill Clove, original Rip Van Winkle illustrations by Darley, plus a book premier for Kaaterskill Clove by Raymond Beecher is being planned on Saturday August 28, 2004 at the Mountain Top Historical Society Campus, Route 23A, Haines Falls.
- Catskill Centennial Colors and Crafts Festival: This is a month-long celebration of the arts, crafts and culture of the Catskill Mountain Region. During the month of October, visitors will enjoy a series of specialty crafts festivals, with something for every taste. More than 40 museums, galleries and exhibition spaces will host craft exhibits during the month of October and artist demonstrations are planned at a number of venues. To request a tour map for these events, phone 888-856-2287 (CATS).
- Catskill Centennial Road Signs: In recognition of the centennial, DEC and the New York State Department of Transportation will erect new road signs at all the major entry points of the Catskill Park. Look for them as you travel throughout the region.
Creation of the Park
Hikers in the Catskills find
spectacular views
On April 5, 1904, the Catskill Park was created by an act of the State Legislature to extend protection and recognition to this mountainous region of New York State. In 1904, the original Catskill Park included 92,708 acres of State Forest Preserve lands within a 576,120-acre region that included portions of Delaware, Greene, Sullivan and Ulster counties.
Since that time, the Catskill Park has grown to include 287,514 acres of State Forest Preserve lands within the 705,500-acre region. The Catskills have 98 peaks that are over 3,000 feet in elevation.
