News for the ‘In the News’ Category
Adirondack Architectural Heritage supports the preservation of the contributing historic features, including the railroad tracks themselves, of the New York Central Railroad, Adirondack Division, corridor, which is listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places. AARCH also supports the multiple public and nonprofit use concept for the corridor as envisioned and outlined in its management plan.
By Sharon O’Brien, ANCA’s Scenic Byways Program Coordinator
The new recreation path that will be built alongside the tracks within the Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor will retain access to nature observation for key groups of people typically underserved: people with mobility challenges, as well as families with small children and senior citizens. As currently planned and funded, the recreational path will connect Saranac Lake and Lake Placid, two communities along the 170-mile Olympic Scenic Byway. This exciting project allows us to begin implementing local and regional goals from three adopted management plans for Adirondack North Country Scenic Byways, including improved accessibility.
The project will serve the interests of all and does not neglect those with limited access to wilderness due to mobility challenges. The town of North Elba, with ANCA’s assistance, will be constructing a path for walkers, hikers, cross-country skiers and bicyclists while maintaining a corridor for snowmobilers. Of importance, this trail will work in conjunction with the Adirondack Scenic Railroad, which has been using its open-air car to provide a safe and up-close view of nature for those with mobility issues. One coach car with lifts at both ends and wide doors is also available on every summer run. It has been adapted as the dedicated “Access Car” and holds up to six wheelchairs.
A crowd watches at the Tupper Lake Train Depot as Adirondack Scenic Railroad officials hammer in a new railroad tie, the first to be replaced in a campaign to rehabilitate the rail line between Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake. Photo courtesy of Phil Gallos.
ANCA Executive Director Kate Fish took part in a celebration Nov. 7 in Tupper Lake to honor the work of the Adirondack Scenic Railroad. The day also was a kick-off for a new campaign to raise money to rehabilitate the tracks between Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake. More information can be found at nextstoptupperlake.org
Media coverage of the event is here:
On Monday, Oct. 3, more than 175 people attended Adirondack North Country Association’s 56th Annual Meeting. ANCA and some of its partners will be presented an overview of the “State of the Adirondack North Country: Economic and Demographic Changes Since 2000.”
A special thanks to all those who attended and to those who worked to make the day possible. Here is a summary of the event and the complete presentations:
Economic Conditions in Upstate New York:
Presentation by Jaison Abel, Senior Economist, Research and Statistics Group, Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Dr. Abel focused his presentation on current economic conditions in upstate New York, the economic forces that have shaped the recession and recovery to date, and their implications for the region’s economy.
Here is Dr. Abel’s presentation: http://www.adirondack.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/ANCA_FederalReserve.pdf
Economic and Demographic Changes in the ANCA Region:
Presentation by Jen McCormick, Vice President of Policy & Research and Deputy Commissioner of Business Advocacy at Empire State Development
Empire State Development’s Division of Research has performed economic analyses of each of New York’s 10 economic development regions as part of current Statewide strategic planning initiative for regional economic development.
Ms. McCormick’s presentation focused on the economic and demographic characteristics and changes in the 14 county ANCA region which includes all or portions of four of the State’s economic development regions.
Here is Ms. McCormick’s presentation: http://www.adirondack.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/ANCA_ESD.pdf
Following the presentations, there was a discussion with Representatives of four Regional Economic Development Councils.This was an opportunity to address comments to representatives of the four regional councils, which represent portions of the ANCA region.
Here is some media coverage of the event:
NCPR: http://northcountrypublicradio.net/news/tags/regional-economic-development-councils
Adirondack Daily Enterprise: http://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/page/content.detail/id/526937.html
The two-page sheet can be downloaded here: http://www.adirondack.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/rail_factsheet.pdf
A plan to reinvent the Adirondack Park Agency and revitalize communities that appears in the October 2011 issue of Adirondack Life has generated discussions, letters to editors, blog posts and op-ed pieces. “The Other Endangered Species” by Brian Mann has sparked debate in all corners of the six-million-acre Adirondack Park and beyond.
To continue dialogue on political, economic and quality of life issues raised by Saranac Lake-based reporter Mann, Adirondack Life is sponsoring two panel discussions that are free and open to the public. On September 30, at 7:30 p.m. the forum will be held at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry’s Adirondack Interpretive Center in Newcomb. On October 5 at 7:30 p.m. Northwoods Inn, Lake Placid will host a session with Kate Fish, Jim LaValley, John Sheehan and others.