One of the 'best' parks, even better

May 22, 2018 at 10:25 pm by Observer-Review


One of the 'best' parks, even better ADVERTISEMENT

One of the 'best' parks, even better

WATKINS GLEN--The work is mostly done.
The famous Watkins Glen State Park will be ready to show off its upgraded and enhanced $6.5 million visitor improvements starting Friday, May 25.
State Park Manager Ronald Roney said, "We are expecting a great season at the park. We may get 10,000 people for this Memorial Day weekend. We expect to attract one million visitors for the entire season."
Roney added about the park project, "I'm most proud of the visitor's educational experience and access into the park. Some people who couldn't physically get to the park's scenic views will now be able to enjoy the displays and signing that have been created. We have new audio-visual additions along with the new Welcome Center. The new stone work and guard rails are a great addition."
Roney mentioned, "For many local people that have visited the park years ago, we invite you to come back and see our beautiful state park. We think people will be impressed."
Fred Bonn, director of the Finger Lakes state park region, said, "The park project is on time and on budget. Our new partnership with the Watkins Glen Chamber of Commerce [for] the new Welcome Center is also an important part of this project."
Rebekah Carroll, president and chief executive officer of the Watkins chamber, said, "We are excited about the new Welcome Center and our ability to engage with area visitors. We will answer questions and give local brochures and informational sheets to many of the visitors."
Carroll said she has worked out a separate schedule just for park staffers to be available at the Welcome Center.
The Watkins Glen State Park was named one of the 'Best State Parks in the United States' from a USA TODAY reader's choice poll in 2015. The park has 19 waterfalls with some of the park streams descending 200-foot cliffs.

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