The 36,000-acre Whitney Park, which has been at the top of New York’s land protection list for decades, has been listed for sale by the owner. This keystone piece of property in the center of the Adirondacks in Hamilton County contains 22 lakes and ponds, over 100 miles of undeveloped shoreline and is part of a historic 19th century canoe route. Over the last 100+ years the property was managed carefully and has only been lightly developed. A developer from Dallas Texas is now looking to develop part of the property into a luxury resort with a hotel and golf course.
We need Governor Kathy Hochul to take immediate action to protect Whitney Park. The State needs to have a seat at the negotiating table with the current owner and the developer. We need the State to protect this property and add it to the public Forest Preserve!
To reach the Governor as quickly as possible, we are urging you to make a phone call to Governor Hochul by calling 518-474-8390.
Talking Points for Calls and Emails to New York Governor Kathy Hochul Today:
Whitney Park has been at the top of New York’s conservation protection target list for decades.
Whitney Park has been eyed by generations of Adirondack conservationists and State officials as a cornerstone of a protected Adirondack Park, a missing link for historic public canoe routes that ran north-south and east-west through the property, and as a vital missing piece for the public Forest Preserve. It has 22 lakes and ponds, extensive forests, and over 100 miles of undeveloped shorelines.
In 1998, Governor George Pataki purchased the northern portion of Whitney Park, 15,000 acres around Little Tupper Lake, from Mary Lou Whitney. These lands were combined with Forest Preserve lands around Lake Lila to form the William C. Whitney Wilderness Area, which has grown to be one of the most popular Wilderness areas in the Adirondacks. Now is the time to protect the rest of Whitney Park.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and challenge that the State of New York must meet head-on. Protection of Whitney Park would be a great accomplishment for the Hochul Administration and, like critical lands purchases made by previous Governors, would stand the test of time for its immense public benefits, including the State's goals for the Adirondack and North Country economy and quality of life.
Whitney Park forests would offer carbon sequestration and carbon storage benefits, thereby contributing substantially to the state’s greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation and removal goals.
Successful protection of Whitney Park will contribute substantially to the Hochul Administration’s commitment to protect 30% of New York State by 2030.
The 3-million-acre Forest Preserve in the Adirondacks and Catskills is one of the great success stories in New York State. It has been built through a multi-generational, bipartisan conservation tradition starting in 1885.
It's critical that Governor Hochul stand up for the Adirondack Park and the Forever Wild Forest Preserve!
We need you to call the Governor to save Whitney Park!
