DEC and AMR Pilot Reservation System Ensures Access to Popular Trails, Improves Public Safety
The Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR), in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), announced today a series of updates in response to feedback from the hiker community accessing the AMR parking lot as part of the new parking reservation pilot to support safer access to trailheads. Among other improvements, AMR installed an electronic gate on Monday, June 7, to allow hikers returning after the parking lot has closed to exit using the automatic gate.
DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “Strengthening public safety and improving the visitor experience are not mutually exclusive, rather inextricably linked. These improvements to the pilot reservation system are the result of an inclusive, data-driven approach to developing effective and sustainable solutions to addressing issues associated with increased visitation to the High Peaks and reflect DEC’s commitment to a constructive and collaborative process.”
“Since we started the parking reservation system, we have continuously sought ways to improve the experience for the hiking community,” said John Schuler, General Manager of the Adirondack Mountain Reserve. “One of the main points that kept coming up was hikers concerned about getting back to the parking lot before it closed for the night. We tried to accommodate those hikers by having our staff stay late, but our long-term solution was putting in an automatic gate, so now you can come back anytime and still exit the parking lot.”
DEC and AMR launched the parking reservation pilot in May to provide reliable access to popular trailheads and address public safety at a particularly crowded corner on Route 73 in the town of Keene in the Adirondack High Peaks region. The reservation system, operated by AMR, facilitates safer public access to trailheads through the AMR gate and for Noonmark and Round mountains and improves visitors' trip planning and preparation by ensuring guaranteed parking upon arrival.
In addition to the automatic gate, AMR made other updates to the system at HikeAMR.org including:
“We made all of these updates to ensure our visitors have the best, safest experience possible,” said Schuler. “The changes we’ve made, particularly to the confirmation/cancellation email and the 12-hour closing time are all part of the effort to reduce no-show reservations. Additionally, the time slots are meant to be approximate arrival times, but once a reservation is confirmed, the spot is yours so if you have a 5 a.m. reservation, you can show up at 10 a.m. if you want.”
Key data points from the first five weeks of the pilot reservation system include:
In addition to the parking reservation pilot, as part of DEC’s comprehensive efforts to improve public safety in the area, parking is limited at other popular trailheads along the Route 73 corridor. Visitors should come prepared with back-up plans in case trailhead parking lots are full:
The affordable housing lottery has launched for Betances Senior Residence, a Passive House senior housing building at 445 East 142nd Street in Mott Haven, The Bronx. The 12,000-square-foot development is designed by COOKFOX Architects and is developed by Breaking Ground. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 78 units for residents at 50 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $0 to $53,700.
Amenities include fitness room, computer room, library, a shared laundry room, community room, security guard, and landscaped courtyard outdoor terrace.
Interiors at Betances Senior Residence in Mott Haven, The Bronx
Interiors at Betances Senior Residence in Mott Haven, The Bronx
At 50 percent of the AMI, there are 57 studios with a $0 monthly rent for incomes ranging from $0 to $47,750, and 21 one-bedrooms with a $0 monthly rent for incomes ranging from $0 to $53,700,
Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than August 9, 2021.
It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon for those who came to show off their Bronx Pride on Alexander Avenue. While this year's event was not as large as the 2019 Bronx Pride Event, it certainly was much larger than the 2020 Bronx Pride event that was cancelled because of COVID-19.
The Flying Squirrel opened the event, and was the mistress of ceremonies introducing the performers and elected officials who appeared to show their support of Bronx Pride 2021. Elected officials included U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson and Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, both candidates for Bronx Borough President, and Mayoral candidate Andrew Yang. While there were thousands in 2019 at the 1 Bronx Pride, there were hundreds in 2021 due to the pandemic, and a very short planning period.
The entertainment was top notch with Jeannie Sol, Jackie Dupree, a costume change by the Flying Squirrel, and many others. Even most of the elected officials with a couple of exceptions were well liked, however Mayoral candidate Andrew Yang for the third time in as many times could not answer a third question I asked him. One of his aides had to come over to say no questions, but I told candidate Yang I will take it as a no comment. My question to candidate Yang this time was since you are here at Bronx Pride, what can we expect from Mayor Yang towards the LGBTQ community if you are elected mayor? The two previous questions were about his policy towards NYCHA, and the homeless problem. His answer then was that he would take care of it when he became Mayor.
This rally drew much less people than in past rallies here, and there were two candidates for the soon to be vacant 13th City Council seat. Local Female District Leader of the area and original member of the group Irene Estrada and Throggs Neck resident at the site for the first time Marjorie Velazquez. It appears there was a difference of opinion when candidate Estrada showed up. Sources on the scene said Ms. Estrada and Roxanne Delgado a co-founder of the anti Drug Clinic group had an argument, and Ms. Estrada wanted to know why her opponent in the city council race Ms. Velazquez was there, when Ms. Velazquez was making her first appearance at the site.
The important thing was that a bill by Assemblyman Michael Benedetto restricting drug clinics such as the one proposed has gone nowhere in the State Assembly or State Senate which is about to break for summer vacation with out any response from local Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez or State Senator Alessandria Biaggi.
AG James Has Taken More Than 1,000 Firearms Out of Communities Since 2019
New York Attorney General Letitia James and Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz today announced that 79 firearms were turned in to law enforcement at a gun buyback event hosted by their offices and the New York City Police Department. The gun buyback comes as New York City has experienced a sharp increase in gun violence and sought to curb this devastation by accepting working and non-working unloaded firearms — with no questions asked — in exchange for compensation. To date, Attorney General James has taken more than 1,000 guns out of communities through gun buybacks since taking office in 2019.
“Gun violence threatens our communities and puts New Yorkers in harm’s way every day,” said Attorney General James. “It is more critical now than ever, especially during National Gun Violence Awareness Month, that we take measures to curb this devastation and protect our neighborhoods and families. My office will continue to do everything we can to preserve public safety and ensure safer streets. I thank District Attorney Katz and our partners in law enforcement for their crucial collaboration and support.”
“It is important that we continue to come together as a community to reject the idea that this scourge of gun violence is insurmountable,” said Queens District Attorney Katz. “We must take every step that we can. Every gun that we get off the streets is a potential life saved, a potential tragedy averted. I want to thank Attorney General Letitia James and the NYPD for their partnership and unwavering commitment to public safety.”
COVID-19 Positivity Rate Hits Record Lows for 15 Straight Days; Statewide 7-Day Average Positivity is 0.44%—Has Declined for 68 Consecutive Days, Lowest in the Country Per Johns Hopkins University
More Than 20 Million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Administered in New York State
104,457 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours; Statewide Vaccination Rate is 69.5%
Hospitalizations Drop Below 700; Intubations Drop Below 100
11 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that according to Johns Hopkins University, New York State has the nation's lowest 7-day average COVID-19 positivity rate at 0.44 percent.
"We're beating back COVID-19 across the state and New York has the nation's lowest 7-day average positivity rate, but it's going to take more vaccinations to get us across the finish line," Governor Cuomo said. "The more shots we get in arms, the healthier our state becomes, and that's why we're offering exciting incentives for vaccinations. If New Yorkers who haven't yet gotten the shot do so promptly, we can defeat COVID-19 for good and rebuild our state for a brighter future."
Today's data is summarized briefly below:
