DEC Contact: Maureen Wren | (518) 402-8000 AMR Contact: Joshua Poupore | (518) 330-2250 June 11, 2021
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AMR RESPONDS TO HIKER FEEDBACK WITH A SERIES OF UPDATES TO NEW PARKING RESERVATION SYSTEM |
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DEC and AMR Pilot Reservation System Ensures Access to Popular Trails, Improves Public Safety
“Since we started the parking reservation system, we have continuously sought ways to improve the experience for the hiking community,” said John Schuler, General Manager of the Adirondack Mountain Reserve. “One of the main points that kept coming up was hikers concerned about getting back to the parking lot before it closed for the night. We tried to accommodate those hikers by having our staff stay late, but our long-term solution was putting in an automatic gate, so now you can come back anytime and still exit the parking lot.” DEC and AMR launched the parking reservation pilot in May to provide reliable access to popular trailheads and address public safety at a particularly crowded corner on Route 73 in the town of Keene in the Adirondack High Peaks region. The reservation system, operated by AMR, facilitates safer public access to trailheads through the AMR gate and for Noonmark and Round mountains and improves visitors' trip planning and preparation by ensuring guaranteed parking upon arrival. In addition to the automatic gate, AMR made other updates to the system at HikeAMR.org including:
“We made all of these updates to ensure our visitors have the best, safest experience possible,” said Schuler. “The changes we’ve made, particularly to the confirmation/cancellation email and the 12-hour closing time are all part of the effort to reduce no-show reservations. Additionally, the time slots are meant to be approximate arrival times, but once a reservation is confirmed, the spot is yours so if you have a 5 a.m. reservation, you can show up at 10 a.m. if you want.” Key data points from the first five weeks of the pilot reservation system include:
In addition to the parking reservation pilot, as part of DEC’s comprehensive efforts to improve public safety in the area, parking is limited at other popular trailheads along the Route 73 corridor. Visitors should come prepared with back-up plans in case trailhead parking lots are full:
The pilot reservation system supports DEC's comprehensive and ongoing efforts to sustainably manage increased visitation to the High Peaks region and will provide important information to guide future land management decisions. The reservation system complements recommendations included in the High Peaks Advisory Group's (HPAG) final report on promoting sustainable recreation in the Adirondack Park. Comprised of stakeholders with expertise in local government, recreation, natural resource protection, business, and tourism, in 2019 the HPAG was tasked with providing DEC with recommendations on how to address critical issues associated with increased public use of High Peaks resources in order to protect these areas in the short and long term, as well as for future generations. Note: AMR logo attached. |
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