News: Economic Study Provides Value of Public Lands in the Catskill Mountains

What are the open spaces of the Catskills worth to the local economy? Plenty, according to a new study, which finds that recreational opportunities on the Catskills’ publicly owned State and New York City lands* plus private lands open to the public, draw over 1.7 million visitors annually. They create an economic impact of $46,207,000 and support 980 jobs. Add those who come to enjoy other privately held lands, and the total number of people choosing the Catskills for recreation each year is almost 2.5 million, creating an economic impact of $114,768,000 and supporting 2,413 jobs.

There's a public forum being held in Shokan, NY on Thursday, January 31st from 4:30 to 6pm at the Olive Town Meeting House (50 Bostock Rd, off Route 28 in Shokan, NY).

For a more detailed summary, more information and a link to the full study, check out the Trail Conference's page on this study.

For More Information on Catskills Hiking and Outdoors

Check out our Catskill Mountain Information Page for hikes, advice and planning information. 

Need a hiking map for the Catskills?  The Trail Conference publishes the Catskills Trails Map Set, which is the best set of maps available for hiking in the Catskills.  How about a guidebook?  Both AMC and ADK publish Trail Guides to the Catskill Region and the Adventures in the Outdoors Bookstore carries many more books and maps for hiking and exploring the Catskill Mountain region.