Press Release
June 04, 2015
Randy Simons | Dan Keefe
(518) 486-1868 | news@parks.ny.gov
State Parks to Improve Black Lake Boat Launch
New docking system will extend season for popular St. Lawrence County site
The Black Lake Boat Launch in Morristown, St. Lawrence County will undergo $325,000 in improvements, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) announced today. The boarding dock and other boater amenities will be upgraded with funding from the "I Love NY Waterways" boating fund.
"The Black Lake Boat Launch provides crucial public access to recreational boating and fishing on Black Lake," said State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey. "State Parks is pleased to advance the project to improve access and better serve boaters visiting Black Lake, an important St. Lawrence County tourism destination."
Access from the launch is periodically hampered by seasonal changes in the lake's water depth. The project will improve the boarding dock configuration so it responds to a wider range of water depth, which will extend the useful season for the launch. The project will also add restroom facilities, which currently don't exist at the launch; install area lighting; and improve the parking lot surface. Construction is expected to start this fall and be complete by the 2016 boating season.
Senator Patty Ritchie said, "This project goes hand in hand with my continuing efforts to improve the lake and promote fishing as a critical recreational and economic development resource for our region. I would like to thank the anglers who brought the issue of Black Lake's boat launch needing repairs to my attention, as well as New York State for making this major improvement possible."
Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell said, "This boat launch is instrumental in our region's tourism industry and the improvements will go a long way toward ensuring the launch continues to be a valuable asset down the road. With greater flexibility, more lighting, and crucial amenities the upgraded boat launch will bring pride to the community and easier access to the bountiful Blake Lake."
Karen Winters, President of the Black Lake Association, said, "This is great news for our lake! The restroom facilities and lighting will be welcome improvements, especially when we get our Boat Steward Program in place. The planned dredging of the silt at the end of the ramp and lowering of the current dock will help for now, as the lake is at an unusually low level for this time of year. We look forward to long-term improvements being in place for the 2016 boating season."
The project highlights Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's commitment to improving parks and expanding access to outdoor recreation. Governor Cuomo announced his NY Parks 2020 plan - a multi-year commitment to leverage a broad range of private and public funding to invest approximately $900 million in State Parks from 2011 to 2020. The 2015-16 Executive Budget allocates $110 million toward this initiative.
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 180 state parks and 35 historic sites, which are visited by 62 million people annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow on Twitter.
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