New England / New York's Empire State Trail
« on: February 08, 2022, 04:05:00 pm »"To The Editor:
The City of Hudson, in partnership with The Spark of Hudson, is seeking suggestions from the public about ways to redesign and improve Charles Williams Park. I am writing to recommend that a portion of the park be designated as a camping area for long-distance bicyclists and hikers on the 750-mile Empire State Trail, which passes through the park.
Unfortunately, designated campsites are few and far between on the epic bike ride from the beginning of the Empire Trail in Buffalo to the end of the trail in New York City.
Part of the Empire Trail is located along the Erie Canal. According to the state-run website (www.empiretrail.ny.gov), the New York State Canal Corporation has designated “primitive” camping areas at many of its locks along the canal. However, no public or private campgrounds are available along the significant stretch of the Empire Trail in the Hudson Valley from New York City to Albany.
Ideally, bicycle tourists passing through Hudson could find lodging at a hotel in the city. However, some cyclists cannot afford a hotel room in Hudson. In addition, hotel rooms might not be available on many nights at the height of the summer and fall tourist season. Under such circumstances, cyclists would be grateful for a designated place to pitch a tent.
By incorporating a camping area in Charles Williams Park, we can encourage people to have fun, get physically fit, and support environmentally friendly forms of transportation."
https://www.hudsonvalley360.com/opinion/letters/making-a-suggestion-for-charles-williams-park/article_b30a8b76-9f33-5c1a-b5f4-baee23201dfd.html
https://www.hudsonvalley360.com/opinion/letters/hudson-should-market-bicycle-tourism/article_28e287e4-c4f0-57c5-9e76-65cb155ca544.html