GCC Meets with Minnewaska Management

We are pleased to report that a cooperative effort of the GCC and the Access Fund has made significant progress toward the goal of expanded climbing opportunities within Minnewaska State Park Preserve.

GCC Chair Pete Cody and GCC Board Member David Wilkes, together with Access Fund Policy Director Erik Murdock, met with Jim Hall, Executive Director of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, and Eric Humphrey, Park Manager of Minnewaska on July 23 at Bear Mountain. The parties agreed to embark on a new and productive relationship that would provide greater clarity to all stakeholders on a range of climbing issues, resources, and opportunities for collaboration to solve once-perceived obstacles. Most significantly, the parties agreed to enter into a written Memorandum of Understanding that will solidify our working relationship with New York State and clarify our mutual commitments and objectives.

We anticipate additional meetings and progress milestones in the coming months.

GCC Board member, David Wilkes with Erik Murdock, Access Fund Policy Director, at his first visit to the Gunks.