Who We Are and What  We Value

 The Racquette River Corridor Project began as a cooperative effort of the Town of Colton and the Tupper Lake Chamber of Commerce to encourage cooperation and interaction among the townships along the river. The intent is to develop a sense of unity through joint promotions of the recreational opportunities and natural beauty of the river so that residents and visitors alike can best experience the second longest river in New York State.

History

In October 2002 the Project sponsored a workshop in Tupper Lake attended by 38 interested individuals, business people and representatives of various towns, villages, and organizations along the river corridor. Among the groups represented were the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, Tupper Lake Chamber of Commerce, Massena Chamber of Commerce, Hamilton County Chamber of Commerce, St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators, Town of Piercefield, Town of Colton, Town of Pierrepont, Village of Massena, Village of Long Lake, St. Lawrence Aquarium, Adirondack Museum, Akwesasne Museum, Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks, Adirondack Daily Enterprise, WPBS, Adirondack Mountain Club, Nature Conservancy, Wildlife Conservation Society, Ten Rivers Region, NYS Parks and Recreation, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Friends of Higley Flow State Park, Colton-Pierrepont Central School, and Reliant Energy. Businesses represented included a Bed and Breakfast owner, fuel oil distributor, geologist, and restaurant owner.

After an initial introduction, the workshop broke into smaller groups to provide an inventory of physical assets, museums and historic structures, identify activities, festivals, various attractions and services currently available along the corridor, and discuss wildlife habitat and viewing areas. Then the workshop reconvened in general sessions and various actions were discussed to promote the Raquette River Corridor. The group concurred that the area could best be promoted through the use of the internet and marketing brochures. These would also help develop a sense of regional identity along the corridor. During 2003, members of the Executive Committee conducted a series of Familiarization Tours meet with representatives of various communities along the corridor along the corridor to explore the assets and activities of the region. In cooperation with the Town of Colton, the group developed a summer promotional brochure for the Town. In Spring 2003, the Executive Committee selected Sandra Hildreth to design a website promoting the Raquette River Corridor. The website www.racquetteriver.org is a work in progress as the committee receives information from the various municipalities along the corridor.

Goals and Objectives

During 2004 the RRCP will be securing advertising commitments from local businesses along the corridor. Increased internet exposure will allow visitors to better plan their visit to the region as they identify the facilities offered by this diverse region. Learn more about business membership benefits.

Representatives of the RRCP have been attending regional, state and interstate tourism meetings to gain support for this project as well as familiarize themselves with ways in which to promote the region’s future goals.

The RRCP’s goals for 2004-2005 include the establishment of a regional presence and the creation of a promotional brochure that emphasizes the regional identity as well as the diversity of recreational opportunities of the river corridor. To accomplish this, stronger participation and communications between the various stakeholders needs to be developed, as well as funding sources. Be a Supporting Member

Additional future goals include, but are not limited to, the creation of interpretive signage throughout the region, highlighting historic and/or natural features; a comprehensive map; recreational “guided tours” for specific interest groups, i.e., birders, hikers, paddlers, winter sports enthusiasts, fishermen, those interested in Native American history, architectural history, and natural history. 

Financial Support to Date

Akwesasne Tribal Council

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce

Massena Chamber of Commerce

Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce

St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce

Town of Colton

Town of Clifton

Town of Long Lake

Town of Norfolk

Town of Piercefield

Town of Potsdam

Tupper Lake Chamber of Commerce

Village of Potsdam

Village of Tupper Lake