Continuing a trend of loosening its tight grip on access to boating on its Catskill reservoirs, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection is co-sponsoring a triathlon on the Cannonsville Reservor this June, in what tourism organizers hope will become an annual tradition.

Last week, the NYC DEP sent out a press release announcing the details of the race, which is being called the Cannonsville Adventure Triathlon (its nickname is the “CAT race”), adn will include a 10K run, a 4-mile paddle, and a 12-mile bike ride:  Read more

Seeking Plannning Consultant to create a comprehensive plan identifying current and potential public access points along the East Branch of the Delaware Stream Corridor, a marketing and design plan, public involvement and phase 2 grant development. Must work well with community and organizational leaders. Experience in recreation and tourism development in a environmentally sensitive region a plus. Contact Carol O’Beirne, chamber.admin@centralcatskills.com or 845-586-3300 for RFP. Deadline March 1, 2011.

The Watershed Post’s News from Local Businesses column carries news from local businesses in our directory. Visit this business’s page:

You got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em. Photo by Flickr user Jim Lynch; published under Creative Commons license.

Now that the federal Departments of the Interior and Justice have put the kibosh on the proposed Stockbridge-Munsee casino in Sullivan County, the prospect of a Catskills Indian casino is all but dead — again. And while plenty of the usual suspects in the local area are furious, others are just relieved.

Jennifer Grimes, a local realtor (and Watershed Post advertiser) who runs a vacation rental business called Red Cottage Inc., wrote recently on her blog that anybody looking to revitalize the Catskills through gambling is barking up the wrong tree.  Read more

HUDSON VALLEY – Over 610,000 more people visited state parks in the Hun Valley in 2010 than did in 2009.

The increased usage is indicative of the beauty of the region, said Susan Hawvermale, spokeswoman for Hudson Valley Tourism and director of the Orange County Tourism Bureau.

“Obviously the word has gotten out that the Hudson Valley parks are places to go to do things, to have a wonderful outdoor experience, and that’s why those numbers have increased,” she said. “They have something to do with the economy, the fact that it’s very cost effective to go to a park, but still when you are traveling from New York City or New Jersey, to come up here to the Hudson Valley for parks, that shows you that we really have some great destination parks.”

A total of 8.4 million people visited Hudson Valley parks last year compared to 7.8 million the year before.

via State park use up over 600,000 in Hudson Valley.