New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the completion of a number of accessible features at Yatesville Falls State Forest in the town of Root, Montgomery County. The $70,000 in improvements are part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Adventure NY Initiative to connect New Yorkers with nature.

With the completion of these new accessible features, visitors with mobility impairments can enjoy the natural beauty and recreational opportunities at Yatesville Falls,” Commissioner Seggos said. “These improvements, through Governor Cuomo's Adventure NY Initiative, are just a sample of the recreational upgrades underway in New York to better serve everyone who wants to enjoy our state's great outdoors.”
           
The new features include an accessible observation platform overlooking the falls, an improved parking area, an accessible parking spot at the overlook platform, and an informational kiosk. The improvements were funded through the NY Works Program.

The 714-acre Yatesville Falls State Forest was purchased by the State in the 1930s for timber production, recreational use, watershed protection, and wildlife habitat. The hardwoods in this area were not planted, but reseeded naturally. Thinning the forest periodically through the sale of pulpwood and timber gives the remaining trees more space to grow. This keeps the forest healthy, while providing openings for seedlings. New trees provide food for wildlife and are a source of future forest crops.

Big game hunting for white-tailed deer is popular in this State Forest, and the area also supports turkey, beaver, muskrat, fox, coyote, and grouse populations. Additional recreational opportunities include hiking, biking, picnicking, primitive camping, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, fishing, trapping, wildlife observation, and photography. For more information about Yatesville Falls State Forest, visit DEC’s website.

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 in the upcoming years, ranging from improvements to youth camps and environmental education centers to new boat launches, duck blinds, and hiking trails.

For more information on planning an outdoor adventure in New York State, visit DEC's website.

 New accessible viewing platform (photo attached)