Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

August 14, 2006

For Release: Immediate
Press Contact:
Wendy Gibson
Catherine Jimenez
518.486.1868

State Parks To Host Gazebo Dedication Ceremony

Naming of New Thousand Islands Recreation Facility to Honor Memory of Sissy Danforth.

ALBANY, NY, August 14, 2006...) New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Bernadette Castro and the Thousand Islands Region Park Commission are hosting a dedication ceremony at the newly-constructed Gazebo at Canoe-Picnic Point State Park on Grindstone Island at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 25, 2006. The event will honor the memory of the late Sissy Danforth of Clayton, New York, who passed away in April and is widely credited with launching the successful Gazebo Project.

Earlier this year, Commissioner Castro announced that the Gazebo at Canoe-Picnic Point would be dedicated to Sissy Danforth for her efforts in spearheading its fundraising and construction. Several years ago as part of the general planning within the community for additional amenities at the popular boating destination, Mrs. Danforth proposed re-creating an early 20th century, historic gazebo on Picnic Point along the shore of the St. Lawrence River.

In Spring 2003, the State Parks' regional construction crew began work on the project, and Mrs. Danforth helped raise $25,000 for the purchase of building materials. The Clayton Fishing Guides Association built a cooking shelter in 2004 and improved floating docks were also installed. Canoe-Picnic Point State Park on Grindstone Island is only accessible by boat, offering a quiet camping experience in a wooded area with dockage. Just south of the camping area is Picnic Point, the picnic area with the beautiful gazebo, shore dinner cooking facility and dockage.

While the dedication ceremony will be open to the public, attendees will be responsible for providing their own boat transportation to Canoe-Picnic Point State Park. Immediately following the dedication, the Danforth family is hosting a service and cookout for participants at Jolly Island. Casual dress is recommended. Additional information regarding the ceremony and day's events should be directed to the Thousand Islands Regional Office at 315.482.2593.

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 176 state parks and 35 state historic sites. For more information on any of these recreation areas, please call (518) 474-0456 or visit the website at http://www.nysparks.com.

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