A project designed to boost tourism and conservation by tapping into the popularity of two Southern Tier waterways — the Susquehanna and Chemung rivers — is set to formally launch this weekend.
The New York Susquehanna Basin Water Trail, a coalition of regional tourism organizations that includes This is Cooperstown, Visit Binghamton, Experience Tioga, Friends of the Chemung River Watershed, Discover Chemung, and Explore Steuben, will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday, May 30, for the new paddling trail.
The ribbon-cutting will take place at 11 a.m. at the Kinsella Park boat launch in Erwin, along the Cohocton River, a short distance from where it joins the Chemung River.
The 190-mile paddling trail stretches across the Southern Tier from Corning to Cooperstown, and the trail’s accompanying website, Paddlethe607.com, offers maps, access points, safety information, and trip-planning resources for paddlers of all experience levels.
“Nearly six years in the making, the New York Susquehanna Basin Water Trail opens a whole new area for outdoor enthusiasts to explore,” said Cassandra Majestic, president and CEO of Destination Marketing Corp., who spearheaded the project.
“Since the pandemic, the Catskills and Adirondacks continue to see record visitors,” Majestic said. “Now, we’re inviting them to discover this hidden gem, with all the history, natural beauty, and exciting destinations it has to offer.”
The New York Susquehanna Basin Water Trail is one of two projects in the works that will highlight the region’s water resources.
The Chemung River Greenway is a planned multi-use trail that would focus on the Chemung River and parallel the waterway from Corning to Elmira.
With the help of a $50,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant, Corning-based Three Rivers Development Corp. is looking at creating the Chemung River Greenway.
While the paddling trail will highlight and promote existing resources, the Chemung River Greenway is starting from scratch and will likely take several years to fully realize, officials said.
The paddling trail will help people learn about and take advantage of what is there to discover along the two rivers right now.
“Paddle the 607 puts this entire region on the map for outdoor recreation in a way that truly has something for everyone,” said Alexis Rolston, tourism manager for Discover Chemung (Chemung County Chamber of Commerce).
“Paddle the 607 represents an important step in elevating the New York State Susquehanna Basin Water Trail as a cohesive, marketable outdoor experience,” added Kevin Peterson, president and CEO of Explore Steuben. “By creating a recognizable brand, it allows us to better position our rivers as a connected system that invites exploration.”
This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: ‘Paddle the 607’ on this new Southern Tier river trail, ‘a hidden gem’
Reporting by Jeff Murray, Elmira Star-Gazette / Elmira Star-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
