New York state announced the launch of an
interactive tool to promote tourism attractions,
local businesses, recreational opportunities and
events in Upstate New York.
The second and final phase of the Adirondack
Park Recreation Web Portal Project was
completed by the North Country, Mohawk
Valley and Capital Regions working together
with funds awarded through governor Andrew
Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development
Council initiative.
“The North Country, Mohawk Valley, and
Capital Regions worked collaboratively to
bring six million acres of Adirondack Park to
our fingertips,” said ESD President, CEO and
Commissioner Howard Zemsky. “This new
interactive guide for both locals and visitors
to plan their next Adirondack trip is exactly
what Upstate New York, and the local business
communities need to continue growing the
region’s economy.”
The Adirondack Association of Towns and
Villages (AATV), Center for Economic Growth
(CEG), and Central Adirondack Partnership
for the 21st Century (CAP-21) partnered to
provide a platform for users to plan a trip to
the Adirondacks.
Users can chose destinations and events
located throughout the six million acres of
Adirondack Park. Funding for the project was
awarded by Empire State Development (ESD)
through the Regional Economic Development
Council initiative, and additional funds
provided by the Capital Region’s Center for
Economic Growth.
The second phase and final launch of the project
includes a new domain, DiscoverAdkPark.com,
mobile app enhancements and upgrades, and
incorporation of recreation-related maps.
Recreational providers now have the ability to
present their local goods and services online as
well. The existing database has been upgraded
for improved search results, comprehensiveness,
and user-friendly navigation.
“CEG is a strong believer in collaboration as
a means to leverage resources and accelerate
development. The Adirondack Web Portal will
be a valuable tool to promote tourism and
highlight the tremendous assets of the park,
which will contribute to the economic growth
of surrounding regions. The Capital Region
Economic Development Council and CEG
have been eager partners in this project since
its inception,” said Michael J. Hickey, interim
president and CEO.
“The Adirondack Park Recreation Web
Portal and app puts countless recreational
opportunities of the Adirondack Park in the
palm of every visitor’s hand. With upgraded
features and functionality, Phase II of this
project is another leap forward in providing
an enhanced experience for every visitor to
the Adirondack Park,” said project manager
Kimberly Finnigan.
Officials said one of the key focuses of the
project has been collaborative outreach and
data collection to ensure a more robust and
comprehensive database. The Adirondack
Regional Tourism Council (ARTC) is overseeing
the extensive data collection and mapping, and
will facilitate the real-time flow of recreation
information and data. ARTC will work with
the state Department of Environmental
Conservation, state Department of Parks &
Recreation, the Adirondack Mountain Club,
Adirondack Trails and Lodging, The Great South
Woods project, and the region’s County Tourism
Promotion Agencies. Lake Placid-based digital
marketing agency Adworkshop, is overseeing
the mapping, development, and design of the
website and app on behalf of the AATV and
partnering organizations.
The portal includes 4,000 recreation and
destination listings that are organized by
a comprehensive vacation planning tool to
help visitors discover the Adirondack Park’s
recreation opportunities, lodging, dining,
shopping and other attractions. The new launch
will focus on connecting the mobile app with
travelers in nearby geographic areas throughout
the Northeast and Canada.
“This new launch will build on the success of
the project’s first phase by promoting the diverse
array of recreational opportunities within the
Park and continuing to bring economic benefits
to the many towns and villages throughout the
Adirondacks,” said Adirondack Association of
Towns & Villages President Brian Towers.
“The web portal and app will continue to
increase the region’s profile and provide a
valuable resource for those who want to come
and take advantage of the many recreational
resources in the Adirondacks. In the 21st
century, having a strong mobile web presence
is essential to marketing, and the Adirondack
Web Portal will accomplish that,” said CAP-21
Executive Director Nicholas Rose.
The project supports key aspects of the
strategic plans developed by the Capital
Region, Mohawk Valley, and North Country
Regional Economic Development Councils,
including long-term investment, revitalization
and sustainability of the regions. The portal
adopts strategies developed by the Adirondack
Partnership’s Adirondack Park Recreation
Strategy Group (APRSG).