Watershed Recreation in 2017
We recently released our annual Watershed Recreation Newsletter, which serves as a source of information for thousands of watershed residents and visitors who enjoy recreating on water supply lands and reservoirs. The 2017 edition includes a calendar of outdoor events such as family fishing days, boater safety courses, and guided hikes. The newsletter also provides a wealth of information for anglers, hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts.
One highlight of this year’s newsletter is the interactive RecMapper utility that was developed by DEP to help watershed residents and visitors find recreation areas more easily. After using the interactive map to zoom in to recreation areas, users can also print or download aerial, road or topographic maps of each parcel.
The newsletter also includes stories on upcoming revisions to DEP’s recreation rules, and partnerships that are helping to expand outdoor offerings in the Catskills. Those who regularly use City-owned property for recreation will also find a helpful directory of DEP phone numbers and other contact information to renew permits and boat tags, or ask questions about accessible properties.
Central to this year’s newsletter is a calendar of events that DEP will host throughout spring and the first part of summer. More information on all these events can be found on DEP’s watershed Facebook page. Some upcoming events include:
• April 29, Family Fishing Day at Kensico Reservoir: This is a great family event only 15 miles north of New York City. Experts will be at the reservoir to teach kids how to fish. Bait and tackle will be provided for those who don’t have their own. The event will be held from 9am–2pm.
• May 6, Boater Safety Event at Pepacton Reservoir: DEP Police Officers will teach boater safety for those who fish and paddle on reservoirs in the Catskills. The event starts at 10am at the Shavertown Boat Launch off Route 30 in Andes, Delaware County.
• May 13, Boater Safety Event at New Croton Reservoir: DEP Police Officers will teach boater safety for those who fish on reservoirs east of the Hudson River. The event starts at 10am.
• May 27, Family Fishing Day at Pepacton Reservoir: Experts will teach kids how to fish at this fun family event in the Catskills. Bait and tackle will be provided for those who don’t have their own. This event will held from 10am–2pm
• June 3, Safety & Survival Hike at Pepacton Reservoir: Join DEP Police at the Shavertown Trail in Andes, NY, to learn navigation, safety and survival techniques that can be helpful while hiking. The event, which begins at 10am, will be followed by a Q&A session and an optional 2-mile hike with spectacular views of Pepacton Reservoir.
• June 24, Family Fishing Day at Rondout Reservoir: Families will love this fishing event along the border of Ulster and Sullivan counties. Bait and tackle will be provided for those who don’t have their own.
There are now more than 133,000 acres of water supply property open for recreation in the watershed. Of that, more than 69,000 acres of land are in public access areas that are open to recreation without a DEP permit. For those areas that require a permit, the free-of-charge DEP Access Permit can be obtained online.
