The ribbon has been cut on a beautiful new pavilion at The Catskill Interpretive Center in Mt. Tremper, NY. The 1,762 square feet of covered space is furnished with wooden benches and is open for public usage. 

The newly constructed outdoor pavilion will provide visitors with a picnicking location, a venue for educational programs, and a place for groups to meet up and begin their Catskill adventures.

Catskill Interpretive Center Director, Sarah McGinnis said, “We are thrilled to have a beautiful new pavilion on the property of the Maurice D. Hinchey Catskill Interpretive Center. It will be open daily, offering a lovely shaded spot for visitors to picnic, or gather with friends. It will also give us the opportunity to host large events, both our own Catskill Center nature, art and culture programming as well as community events in partnership with other area organizations.”

A part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's Adventure NY Initiative to connect more New Yorkers with nature, the pavilion is one leg of multiple improvements slated for the Interpretive Center, including a full-sized fire tower (scheduled to be built in 2019), a ranger station (scheduled to be opened in 2019), and an interior refreshed with interactive exhibits (scheduled to be installed in winter 2018).

The structure was constructed with an exposed laminated arch beam with stone fascia on posts. The enclosure walls were designed to complement the existing CIC building. The pavilion includes interior and exterior lighting and electrical convenience outlets. The pavilion was recently completed by Maeda Construction Inc. from Staatsburg, New York, at a cost of $282,828. Funding was provided by the state's Environmental Protection Fund. DEC staff constructed 12 tables to be used with the pavilion.

Located in Ulster County, the Maurice D. Hinchey Catskill Interpretive Center is a joint project of the Catskill Center and the DEC and serves as the gateway for visitor and residents to learn about the Catskill Park. The center showcases the Catskills' natural resources and recreational opportunities by providing information about the 700,000-acre park, New York City's one million-acre Catskill/Delaware drinking watershed, and ways to recreate and enjoy these treasured natural resources.

Executive Director of the Catskill Center, Jeff Senterman said, "The opening of the new pavilion represents another step in the development of the Catskill Interpretive Center site, first started many years ago when Representative Maurice D. Hinchey called for the creation of a visitor center for the Catskill Park. The Catskill Center is honored to have such a strong partnership with the NYSDEC at the CIC to realize Representative Hinchey's dream for the Catskills. We look forward to the strengthening of this partnership and the growth of the CIC as we look towards the installation of new exhibits later this year and a Fire Tower next year. These collective efforts all help interpret the Catskills for tens of thousands of visitors and residents alike and offers a true gateway to the outdoor recreation and communities of the Catskill Park."

Founded in 1969, The Catskill Center is a non-profit charged with the mission to protect and foster the environmental, cultural and economic well-being of the Catskill Region. The pavilion’s opening served as a double celebration. At the ribbon-cutting, a cake was presented to founding member Sherret Chase in celebration of his 100th birthday.