Community leaders, tourism partners and trail enthusiasts celebrated Friday, Aug. 21 the completion of a $250,000 project that brings new signage, maps, multilingual stories and an interactive app to the Catharine Valley Trail.
James Ryan, Montour Village Mayor, highlighted the improvements to the trail.
“We are very proud,” Ryan said. “We are here to celebrate the new Catherine Valley Trail signage and the interactive trail map and the launch of the CVT APP, which brings self-guided audio tours in six languages to everyone who walks, bikes or skis the trail.”
The project is a partnership between the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce and the Friends of Catharine Valley Trail.
Nigar Hale, executive director of the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, said the completion of a grant-funded project to promote and improve the Catharine Valley Trail marks an important investment in a valued regional recreational and tourism asset within the New York State Park system.
The completed project enhances the trail experience through updated wayfinding signage, an interactive trail map and the launch of the new CVT App. Available in English, Spanish, French, German, Hindi and Mandarin, the app offers self-guided tours featuring photographs, audio and local stories about the trail and the Catharine Creek Wildlife Management Area.
The app also works offline, allowing visitors to access maps and information in areas with limited cellular service.
“We are thrilled to have reached this important milestone as we celebrate the completion of our two-year endeavor to promote and improve the Catharine Valley Trail,” said Hale. “This project demonstrates what can be accomplished through strong partnerships and a shared commitment to enhancing the experiences available to our residents and visitors”
Carl Blowers, Chairman of the Schuyler County Legislature, said “as most people know, we sort of live on tourism in Schuyler County.” The trail upgrades are expected to enhance the visitor experience.
“The Catharine Valley Trail is an important part of the overall package that makes our community a great place to visit,” said Blowers. “As a year-round trail, it helps extend our visitor season and gives people another way to experience all that Schuyler County has to offer.”
East Shore Marketing played an important role in bringing the project to life by helping develop the CVT App and its storytelling content, creating the new trail signage and supporting the project’s marketing efforts.
“East Shore Marketing has been honored to help bring the Catharine Valley Trail to life,” said Paula Tarallo of East Shore Marketing. “Thank you to the Chamber for entrusting us with this project, and to the Friends of the Catharine Valley Trail for being such great partners along the way. We’re proud to help this trail tell its story.”
The project was made possible through collaboration among the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Catharine Valley Trail, East Shore Marketing and New York State Parks.
The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce secured the Outdoor Experience Grant, the Friends of Catharine Valley Trail helped develop the plans and materials, East Shore Marketing brought everything together, and New York State Parks installed the completed materials.”
Friends of Catharine Valley Trail members said they have received great feedback from trail users about having brochures and maps available, as well as the opportunity to learn about the history found along the trail.
“We are already seeing increased trail use and families gathering around the maps,” said Russ Nelson, Friends of the Catharine Valley Trail Board President.
The Catharine Valley Trail provides year-round recreational opportunities while contributing to the region’s tourism economy and overall quality of life.
This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: How new Catharine Valley Trail upgrades are making it more accessible
Reporting by Jeff Smith, Elmira Star-Gazette / Elmira Star-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jeff Smith, Elmira Star-Gazette | USA TODAY Network
