OSI campaign nears $3 million fundraising goal for gateway building and interpretive exhibits as the project progresses toward a fall opening.
New York, NY (August 27, 2020) — Continuing its longstanding efforts to expand and improve Minnewaska State Park Preserve in New York’s Ulster County, the Open Space Institute (OSI) today announced the final phase of its fundraising campaign to support the park’s highly anticipated new, four-season visitor center.
The center, which is currently under construction, will improve overall public access to the park by familiarizing visitors with all of the park’s scenic destinations, providing upgraded visitor amenities, and guiding visitors to new opportunities for walking, running, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and more.
“Welcoming more than half a million visitors each year, Minnewaska is one of the busiest outdoor destinations located just an hour and a half from Manhattan,” said Kim Elliman, OSI’s president and CEO. “The new visitor’s center will support visitors before they venture out into the park, improve recreational access to all parts of Minnewaska to better disperse visitors, and deepen user appreciation of all the park has to offer.”
The OSI-sponsored campaign is matching state resources in the building of a $6.1 million, 5,000 square foot visitor center at the park. To date, OSI has raised $2.85 million in gifts and grants toward its $3 million goal.
OSI’s fundraising effort focuses on features that will transform the visitor experience and expand access to and appreciation of the park for all audiences. Included in OSI’s campaign is the creation of state-of-the art, interactive exhibits highlighting the park’s unique geology, natural history, cultural significance, and conservation story.
Once complete, the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center will:
- help visitors explore the park’s expansive trail network;
- provide drinking water stations and public restrooms;
- offer a warming hearth to complement the use of the park during cold months;
- include an outdoor patio overlooking Lake Minnewaska where visitors can take in the park’s dramatic views; and
- supply a space for educational programs.
Turning to the final phase of the fundraising effort, leaders of the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center Campaign are promoting opportunities to support the project that also give donors unique ways of honoring and memorializing friends, family members, and memories of spending time outdoors at the park.
Park enthusiasts can support the new Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center by sponsoring an exhibit item or native bird window tile—all of which will be displayed prominently within the center or the immediate exterior. For more information and to donate to the campaign visit: www.minnewaskavisitorcenter.org