Recent moves by the city and local developers to kick start the waterfront walkway project along the Rondout is timely.
As consumers pass on taking long, expensive vacations in faraway lands, local places of interest are attractive. Therefore, the waterfront in Kingston is an asset that should be carefully managed and thoughtfully marketed.
In Rhode Island, The New York Times reports that city and state officials are leveraging the area’s maritime history to attract tourists and business. Tall Ships Rhode Island has joined the effort by launching a project that includes building a full-size replica of an 1812 ship.
For Kingston, what assets on the waterfront can be leveraged in a similar way? The Maritime Museum and Trolley Museum come to mind. And these sites can surely step-up marketing efforts to draw people in. But what else can be done?
Perhaps the city can launch a marketing campaign that spotlights the Rondout as an historical destination. To make it fun, maybe there’s a one-day event that features maritime-themed music, arts and crafts. Perhaps there could be a pirate parade for kids, and a folk rock concert in the evening.
What are your thoughts?
Please note that as part of Ulster County’s Quadricentennial celebration of Henry Hudon’s voyage this year, there are a couple of events on the Kingston waterfront that involve heritage vessels. In mid June, a flotilla of historic boats, including a replica of Hudson’s Half Moon, will dock at the Maritime Mueeum overnight on their way from NYC to Albany; there will be bands and boat tours. In Seplember, a “rolling boat” tour of old workboats, including tugs and barges, is scheduled, with trips to the lighthouse and demonstrations of skills such as navigating a tugboat. Perhaps this could be the springboard for the type of boat-related waterfront attraction you refer to. The Maritime Museum and Trolley Museum are great resources, so maybe we can grow tourism on the waterfront from there.
I visited Rhode Island last summer and was struck by how gorgeous the coast was and how picturesque the towns. It was heavily populated–judging from the traffic–but there was little sprawl. They seem to really value their architecture.
Thanks for all the info on the blog.
Thanks, Lynn. What the city needs to do, perhaps, is to create some marketing material packaging these events into one. This could run as an ad in down and upstate media, print or online. Maybe this would be a financial task for the chamber of commerce.
Thanks, again!