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September 27, 2003 |
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Catskill Centennial "Lark in the Park"
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Ahhh - the leaves are turning and the air is getting crisp here in the Catskill Mountains. This is absolutely our favorite time of the year to be out on the trails and in the woods. This year promises to be especially exciting for hikers and other outdoor-oriented people in the Catskills due to an upcoming opportunity for tremendous guided hikes and other free outings in the Catskills.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past year, you are probably aware that 2004 marks the 100th anniversary of the Catskill Park. One of the most exciting things to come out of the Catskill Park centennial planning committee is the first-ever "Lark in the Park", sponsored by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The Lark in the Park is modeled after the popular Hudson River Ramble, in which the public is invited to partake in a wide variety of outings to help them enjoy the outdoors and get to know the region better. The Lark in the Park will run from October 2-11, with no less than 62 events happening throughout the Catskill Park. Nearly all events are free (there a few that charge a small site admission fee) and all are open to the public.
Participants can choose from offerings such as educational walks, canoeing on our beautiful lakes, fly-fishing and art workshops, chair-lift rides, bicycle rides, scavenger hunts, fish hatchery tours, history exhibits, a giant pumpkin party, a cauliflower festival, and of course hikes, hikes, and more hikes. There will be hikes to mountain summits, hikes along ridges, hikes in valleys, hikes to waterfalls, hikes to fire towers, hikes to lakes, hikes to unique ecosystems, hikes to scenic vistas, and hikes through model forests. There is certainly something for all interests and all ability levels. Some events entail little or no walking, some are short strolls and easy hikes of less than a mile, while many others are moderate, and a few are long, strenuous excursions. One of the most ambitious events is 100-mile bicycle "century ride", covering many of the Catskill Park’s most beautiful - and of course hilly, roads.
Everyone who lives in and around the Catskill Park, and those who visit it, can enjoy this great variety of outings during the peak of our fall foliage season. This event would not be possible if it was not for all of the hiking and other outdoor clubs, conservation organizations, arboretums, museums, historic sites, businesses, and individuals who have volunteered to lead one or more events and make this Lark in the Park a great success. A special thanks goes to the NYSDEC and the folks at Artemesia for organizing this event.
To obtain a Lark in the Park brochure by mail, listing details of all of the Lark events, call Artemesia Inc. toll free at 877-426-0323, email catskilllark@aol.com, pick one up at the NYSDEC Region 3 office in New Paltz, the NYSDEC Region 4 office in Stamford, at The Catskill Center in Arkville, or at a variety of businesses throughout the region. You can also get details on-line at www.catskillpark100.org.
If you are interested in hitting the trail with us, we’ll be exploring (on different days or course) Touch-Me-Not Mountain, the Mill Brook Ridge, the Alder Lake loop and the Red Hill Fire Tower, and attempting some canoe-fishing at Big Pond. If you would like to join us, please be sure to pre-register. We hope we’ll see you on the trail during the Lark in the Park over the next two weekends!
- Chris and Aaron
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