O’Mara and Palmesano join county, village leaders to celebrate new Clute Park Kayak/Canoe Launch: Groundbreaking ceremony for a key project in Watkins Glen waterfront revitalization

Watkins Glen, N.Y., May 18—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) today joined village of Watkins Glen officials and other Schuyler County leaders to conduct an official groundbreaking ceremony for the new Kayak/Canoe Launch at Clute Park.

The launch is a key project in the village’s overall Waterfront Revitalization Program being undertaken with state and local support.  O’Mara and Palmesano have been instrumental in securing funding through the state’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and other investments to assist Project Seneca and the ongoing redevelopment and revitalization of the Watkins Glen waterfront.

In a joint statement, O’Mara and Palmesano said, “We are proud to help support and secure state investment in this new kayak and canoe launch at Clute Park and all of the other exciting projects to revitalize the Watkins Glen waterfront.  We especially applaud the incredible work of village and county leaders, and the community at large, to ensure that Watkins Glen remains strong for generations to come and one of New York State’s premier attractions. These efforts will strengthen the village's position as an anchor of the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes economy, as well as benefit local residents, taxpayers, employers and workers."

In the attached photo at today’s groundbreaking ceremony, from left to right: Watkins Glen Superintendent of Utilities Lee Kent; Kristin VanHorn, Director of the Schuyler County Planning Department; Watkins Glen Mayor Sam Schimizzi; Watkins Glen Village Trustee Gary Schmidt; Watkins Glen Village Trustee Laurie Denardo; Senator O’Mara; Assemblyman Palmesano; Schuyler County Administrator Timothy O’Hearn; Judy McKinney Cherry, Executive Director of the Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development and CEO of the Schuyler County IDA; and Dennis Fagan, Chairman of the Schuyler County Legislature.

State investments through the EPF and the Watkins Glen Local Waterfront Revitalization Program will assist an assessment of the village's current and projected waterfront uses to identify opportunities for economic growth, enhanced waterfront access, and resource preservation. In addition to the Kayak/Canoe Launch, other projects at Clute Park include the bathhouse rehabilitation, and the design and construction of a four-season pavilion with restrooms and a commercial grade kitchen.