Governor Cuomo’s Adventure NY Initiative Connects New Yorkers with Nature

As part of New York’s weeklong celebration of Earth Day, the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the village of Windsor announced today the grand opening of the Windsor Car Top Launch and Fishing Access Site, Main Street, Windsor, Broome County. The new launch is part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Adventure NY initiative to connect more New Yorkers with nature.

The new launch, located along the Susquehanna River and constructed on village property, is a partnership between DEC and the village of Windsor and provides additional day trip access to the river for recreationists. DEC and the village collaborated to select and construct the site, and gravel areas were made with deposition collected from the several severe storm events of 2017. DEC and the village will maintain the site through a cooperative agreement.

“Earth Week is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the vitality of New York’s abundant natural resources,” said DEC Region 7 Director Matthew Marko. “Today, I am happy to join the village of Windsor in announcing the grand opening of this boat launch and fishing access site that offers an additional opportunity for Southern Tier recreationists to experience the majestic Susquehanna River and testimony to what can be achieved through strong partnerships.”

“The village of Windsor is extremely proud to have collaborated with DEC to create much needed public access to the Susquehanna River,” said village of Windsor Mayor Ron Harting. “This access will allow greater recreational use of the river for canoes, kayaks and anglers from Chenango County to Windsor. This project would not have been completed without the vision and diligence of DEC to create true public access.”

From its origin at Otsego Lake in Cooperstown, the Susquehanna River flows for more than 440 miles, making it the longest river on the American east coast. The river eventually empties into the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. In New York, the Susquehanna flows through a mix of rural and urban environments within Otsego, Chenango, Broome, and Tioga counties, supporting a diverse warmwater sportfish community.

Under Governor Cuomo's Adventure NY initiative, DEC is making strategic investments to expand access to healthy, active outdoor recreation, connect more New Yorkers and visitors to nature and the outdoors, protect natural resources, and boost local economies. This initiative will support the completion of more than 75 projects over the next three years, ranging from improvements to youth camps and environmental education centers to new boat launches, duck blinds, and hiking trails. Read more about the Adventure NY initiative.

“I am very excited to see the grand opening of the Fishing Access site in Windsor,” said NYS Assemblyperson Clifford Crouch. “This is a great addition to the community, and provides yet another great access point to the Susquehanna River. I want to thank the Village of Windsor and the DEC for their collaboration on this project. This is a wonderful way to celebrate Earth Week and all that the Southern Tier has to offer.”

For more information on planning an outdoor adventure in New York State, visit DEC's website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor.