New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the completion of improvements to the Kenneth L. Wilson Campground and Day Use Area in Ulster County. Updates to the campground's shower house and three comfort stations, which include several accessible features to make camping fun for people of all abilities, will help connect more New Yorkers to the outdoors and reduce the facility’s environmental footprint.

“Kenneth Wilson Campground is set in the heart of the Catskills and with recently completed improvements, will offer an enhanced experience for everyone who wants to enjoy New York's great outdoors,” Commissioner Seggos said. “DEC is investing in facilities statewide to both improve the environmental and ensure it’s more accessible and welcoming to visitors with diverse backgrounds and abilities.”

Kenneth L. Wilson Campground in Mount Tremper offers secluded, wooded campsites and many outdoor activities. Campers can enjoy a hike on the nature trails or ride on the mountain bike trail (for advanced riders), and nearby villages offer numerous shops and restaurants. The campground features great amenities including boating, fishing, and hiking and recently was recognized in the first-annual Hudson Valley Chronogram Readers’ Choice Awards under the Nature and the Outdoors category, along with the first-place campground at DEC’s North-South Lake.

Accessible Comfort Stations and Shower House Renovations

DEC invested $476,000 through NY Works to design and construct significant infrastructure improvements to campground’s shower house and three comfort stations. Many of the improvements will help decrease the campground’s overall environmental footprint by reducing water and energy consumption. Highlights of the improvements include: 

• Energy efficient, on-demand hot water systems;
• Energy efficient LED lighting;
• New accessible tile floors;
• Energy efficient windows and doors;
• Accessible fixtures including water saving showers, sinks, and toilets;
• New accessible showers and stalls;
• New accessible toilet stalls;
• Painting, new mirrors, and other hardware;
• Accessibility improvements to Caretaker Cabin; and
• Accessibility and paving improvements throughout campground.

DEC recently recognized the 30^th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and upgrades like those announced today demonstrate New York State’s commitment to helping people with disabilities fully participate in and enjoy the benefits of DEC's facilities, services, programs, and activities. The facility's improvements allow visitors, including seniors and families with small children, to access its amenities consistent with the Governor's 2018 Executive Order to make New York the first age-friendly state in the country. Over the past several years, DEC has utilized NY Works funding to make other infrastructure improvements the campground to enhance the camping experience that include:

• Accessibility improvements to trail system;
• Accessible fishing access;
• Accessible nature trail and wildlife viewing platform;
• Pavilion improvements including new floor, roof and ceiling;
• Accessible day use including picnic tables and grills;
• New accessible community fireplace;
• New roofs on bathhouse, comfort stations, recycle building, shower house;
• Accessibility upgrades to recycle building;
• New accessible children’s playground;
• New accessible picnic viewing area on Wilson Lake;
• New accessible dog park; and
• New signage, staining, and other improvements throughout the campground.

For more information on Kenneth L. Wilson Campground and to make a reservation for the 2020 camping season, visit New York's ReserveAmerica website.

During the State’s ongoing response to COVID-19, New Yorkers across the state want and need to get outside for a nature break, which is good for physical and mental health. Before visiting Kenneth L. Wilson Campground, take the PLAY SMART * PLAY SAFE * PLAY LOCAL pledge, and promise to use common sense to protect yourself and others when enjoying the outdoors. The new campaign encourages all New Yorkers to recreate safely, responsibly, and locally this summer and to always treat fellow outdoor adventurers with respect.

The campground improvements are just the latest project as part of Governor Andrew M. 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. Read more about the Adventure NY initiative on DEC’s website.

Note: Photos attached of Kenneth Wilson Campground comfort station improvements and grounds