Press Release
July 10, 2018
New York State Announces $2.2 Million Revitalization of Chenango Valley State Park Lakefront
"Chenango Valley State Park is a prime tourism destination, offering exceptional natural beauty and opportunities for outdoor recreation," Governor Cuomo said. "With these upgrades we are not only preserving one of our great state parks, but also increasing regional tourism and attracting more visitors to experience all that the Southern Tier has to offer."
The project to modernize the aging beachfront infrastructure and create a more welcoming environment for families includes:
- Expanded sand beach area with multiple swim areas, such as a dive area and lap pool area that provide a range of options for all ages and abilities
- New splash pad area adjacent to beach to offer children a new play experience and alternative to cool down
- New corkscrew waterslide
- ADA-accessible dock and fleet of kayaks and stand-up paddleboards available for rental
The beach transformation project complements New York State's efforts to encourage hands-on educational programs at State Parks, including its free Learn-to-Swim and Connect Kids programs. This year, there are three, week-long sessions with nine total classes offered at Chenango Valley State Park this summer. More than 80 children will learn to swim at the park through the program this summer, along with 3,000 students statewide.
The park improvements reflect Governor Cuomo's commitment to revitalizing the state park system and expanding access to outdoor recreation. The Governor's NY Parks 2020 program is a multi-year commitment to leverage $900 million in private and public funding for State Parks from 2011 to 2020. The 2018-19 State Budget allocates $90 million toward this initiative.
New York State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey, who visited the park today to welcome participants in the Learn-to-Swim program said, "Through the support of Governor Cuomo's NY Parks 2020 initiative, we are restoring and transforming park facilities across the state. Revitalizing places like Chenango Valley State Park—where we teach the next generation to use, enjoy and steward the natural and outdoor recreational assets our state holds—will truly make a difference that will be felt for decades to come."
Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said, "Thank you to Governor Cuomo for his continued commitment to making major investments in our state parks and Chenango Valley State Park in Broome County. This expansion and upgrades will bring even more visitors to this great state park in Broome County. My three boys come to Chenango Valley State Park every summer with their daycare provider. I'm excited for more families and children in Broome County to be able to enjoy the Learn to Swim program, beach area and splash pad just as my children do."
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which are visited by 71 million people annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.parks.ny.gov, connect with us on Facebook, or follow on Instagram and Twitter.
Southern Tier Soaring
New York State has already invested more than $3.1 billion in the region since 2012 to support Southern Tier Soaring - attracting a talented workforce, growing business and driving innovation. Today, unemployment is down to the lowest levels since before the Great Recession; personal and corporate income taxes are down; and businesses are choosing places like Binghamton, Johnson City and Corning as a destination in which to grow and invest.