A Map is the Gateway to NYC’s Water Trail

Today, Going Coastal released a waterproof NYC Water Trail Map & Guide at an event staged at Brooklyn’s Valentino Park.  

THE MAP IS A GATEWAY TO A PREMIER RECREATIONAL EXPERIENCE PROVIDING MILES OF ACCESS TO PADDLING AND ROWING FOR NEW YORKERS AND AN EXCITING NEW WAY FOR VISITORS TO EXPERIENCE THE BIG APPLE.   

The map developed in partnership with NYC Parks links together waterfront parks, greenways, natural areas, recreational activities, and historic sites into a water trail. The mapped-out water trail shows 28 safe, legal launch access points provides detailed information about facility amenities, physical features and potential hazards. 

More Americans kayak and canoe than play soccer, according to a report from the Outdoor Industry Foundation. Paddlesports are the fastest growing segment of the entire boating industry as well as a great cardio-vascular work out and could be a great exercise for New Yorker’s expanding waistlines.

The NYC Water Trail Map & Guide began in partnership with I LOVE NEW YORK tourism marketing efforts when they were awarded a $5000 Explore NY grant to promote NYC as a kayak destination. Going Coastal collaborated with NYC Parks & Recreation, Partnerships for Parks, West Marine, and many others who committed resources necessary to make the Trail a reality that benefits both the community and the environment.

Going Coastal is an EPA-award-winning nonprofit that has been a drum major for the NYC waterfront since 2001.  A vital part of Going Coastal’s mission has been to connect people and coastal resources to raise awareness of the immense value of the urban coastal environment. Through the efforts of its volunteers, its book, and information initiatives they inspire adults and children to appreciate, enjoy and preserve it. 

Like the water trail – Going Coastal endeavors to link historical, cultural, natural and recreational waterfront assets.

What powers the mission is the belief that if you excite people about the waterfront and actually get them in the water, it will encourage stewardship, stimulate interest in conservation, and support safe and empowering recreational opportunities such as kayaking, open water rowing and sailing. Maps have always been a big part of Going Coastal’s outreach. The shoreline access guide “GOING COASTAL NEW YORK CITY” features 300 pages of maps and descriptions of everything there is to do on the city’s 578 miles of coast.

Going Coastal has accomplished a great deal over a short time on a very thin budget. Tens of thousands of recreational boaters have received Going Coastal’s pumpout guide and clean boating information. Their Clean Marina Partnership facilitates “green practices” and will introduce fishing line recycling stations at city marinas and tackles shops this summer.  Since its beginnings, another important part of Going Coastal’s mission has been raising awareness of our maritime heritage. Their first project was to return to print the WPA’s “A Maritime History of New York” a seminal work on the city’s waterfront originally published in 1937.  Last fall, Maritime NY an interactive map launched online at www.goingcoastal.org, where visitors can see hundreds of the maritime cultural places, learn about their history and add new sites and photos.  

Going Coastal’s cartographer Zhennya Slootskin, a graduate student in geographic information systems at Hunter College, started making maps for kayakers three years ago when local kayak enthusiast Jerry Blackstone asked her to produce a map for the annual Manhattan Circumnavigation Paddle. Now, hundreds of paddlers download free maps from the website www.goingcoastal.org. With a $1000 grant from the National Boating Safety Council, Going Coastal was able to create a paddling safety map and distributed 1000 at the NY Boat Show.

Get your NYC Water Trail Map & Guide at area parks, tourism offices, kayak clubs, outfitters, boathouses and sporting goods stores.  ###