Should experienced high-wire walker be allowed to cross the falls?
From the Niagara Falls Review:
Since he was a boy Nik Wallenda has dreamed of walking over Niagara Falls on a tightrope.
“It’s just something I’ve wanted to do my entire life,” said Wallenda, 32, a U.S.-based highwire walker who hopes to do a 2,200-foot crossing of the Niagara River Gorge and Horseshoe Falls next summer.
That lifelong dream got a boost from lawmakers on the American side of the Niagara River on Wednesday when the New York State Assembly voted overwhelmingly, with just one dissenting member, to permit Wallenda to do the walk. Before that, the state Senate voted 62-0 to give him the OK.
But Wallenda needs more than just the support from Albany if he is to realize his dream. To cross into Canada, he would need the approval of the Niagara Parks Commission, an agency that has long been opposed to such endeavours.
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Hafen to the rescue, again
From Niagara This Week:
A Niagara Falls helicopter pilot once again swooped into action after two New York State Parks Police officers were reported stranded in the Niagara River waters above the Horseshoe Falls.
The Niagara Parks Police Service received a call shortly before 6 a.m. on Saturday mroning, with reports that a New York State Parks Police vessel was in distress above the Horseshoe Falls. The officers had been responding to reports of another vessel in distress in the heavy fog, when they began to experience difficulties themselves. The NYSPP vessel had provided assistance to the private boater and then needed help themselves.
In the darkness, the NYSPP officers were unsure where they sat in relation ot the brink of the falls, and used emergency measures to keep the vessel in place until a possible rescue or until sunlight
Ruedi Hafen, owner of Niagara Helicopters, was called to the scene after attempts for a land rescue were unsuccessful.
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State Parks Commissioner Outlines Niagara Falls State Park Improvement Plans
From WKBW Channel 7 in Buffalo:
New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Rose Harvey on Tuesday outlined a three-part plan to ensure that Niagara Falls State Park offers a welcoming and attractive visitor experience that matches the natural beauty of the Niagara River falls and gorge.
“Governor Cuomo’s administration is fully committed to revitalizing New York’s economy, and Niagara Falls State Park is a critical part of the economic future of Western New York,” Harvey said. “The facilities at Niagara Falls State Park need to match the expectations of 8 million visitors coming from around the globe each year to see the iconic falls. State Parks staff takes great pride in the park and we will dedicate ourselves to improving and enhancing the facilities that complement the falls.”
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Floral Clock vs. Love Canal…we win that one…
From Tim Denis on 610 CKTB (his “View From the Drive Thru” commentary):
Americans and Canadians have a lot in common but we do some things very differently. There are many examples of the US doing a much better job of preserving their history than Canada but one example of how the Canadian Government was way ahead of our neighbors is right in our own backyard…or front yard if you happen to live in the Falls. Back in the late 1800s both the Ontario and New York State governments were faced with a question of what to do about the Niagara River and Niagara Falls itself. Their reactions could not have been any different. The Americans decided to exploit the industrial possibilities of the river…they built roads and encouraged factories to make use of the waterway and the cheap power. The result is what you see across the river. Highways and smokestacks. The Ontario government created the Niagara Parks Commission in 1885.
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Niagara, beyond the falls
From the New York Post:
Fame can be a real pain. Take Niagara Falls, for instance. The stuff of legend. Even if you’ve never set foot on the Rainbow Bridge and gazed down on the majesty with your own eyes, you’ve probably got an opinion about the place. You probably think you know it. The tourist traps, the heart-shaped Jacuzzi tubs, a place trading on the faded glory of a time when people couldn’t get further away from home, faster.
Never mind, of course, that we are talking about one of the most impressive natural wonders of the West. Never mind that the falls themselves are merely the famous cherry sitting atop the tasty, tasty sundae that is the Niagara region.
Never mind that this region is one of the most desirable destinations in the Northeast. Really, it is: Sitting between two Great Lakes (Ontario and Erie), the Niagara boasts not one, but two great wine-producing regions (one among Canada’s best; the other a hidden New York State gem), world-class theater and music for months out of the year, plus outstanding little towns like Niagara-on-the-Lake, Lewiston, Youngstown, Queenston, with their great restaurants and cool places to stay.
Even still, to many people, the entire region remains some sort of retro-kitsch joke. Ha ha ha. Niagara Falls.
One one hand, that’s insane. On the other, who cares? Maybe it’s good that too many people’s minds won’t be changed. More room for the rest of us.
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Group puts Falls on list of most ‘playful cities’
From the Buffalo News:
The City of Niagara Falls, which has received a grant from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund to inventory all of its local parks, create a master plan for their improvement and develop a system of trails linking the parks with the Niagara River waterfront, has been chosen as one of America’s most “playful cities.”
The choice was announced Wednesday by KaBOOM!,a national nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D. C., and dedicated to giving priority to playful activities and ensuring that children are healthy by providing the time and space for them to play.
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The massive power production of Niagara Falls
From CNet News:
At one time, it was the largest producer of hydroelectric power on the planet. That was in 1961. Today, it is still New York State’s preeminent hydropower facility, and it shares some of the glory of one of the most awesome spectacles in the world.
This is, of course, the Niagara Power Project, a hydropower producer capable of lighting 24 million 100-watt bulbs at once–2.4 million kilowatts. A ways downriver from the world famous Niagara Falls–Horseshoe Falls and American Falls–this giant project is still worth celebrating today, especially in light of the fact that people are so interested in renewable energy these days.
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Take a cruise in Niagara Falls
From Travelbite (out of the UK):
The world-famous Niagara Falls are a must-see attraction for anyone on a visit to New York state or the Canadian province of Ontario.
Straddling the international border between Canada and the United States, the waterfalls are renowned for their great natural beauty and have long been recognised as one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the world.
Water from the falls, which were formed 12,000 years ago, comes from four of the five Great Lakes and the natural wonder is the largest single producer of hydroelectric power in the world.
If you’re on an adventure holiday in either of these North American countries, Niagara Falls is well worth a visit.
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Residents oppose closing of state parks
From the Buffalo News:
State legislators from the Assembly and Senate and from both sides of the political aisle were quick over the weekend to criticize the proposed closing of state parks and historic sites as part of Gov. David A. Paterson’s effort to close an anticipated budget gap of $8.2 billion in the fiscal year beginning April 1.
And ordinary residents who use the parks joined in the criticism.
Paterson’s plan, unveiled Friday, would save $6.5 million by closing 41 parks and 14 historic sites when the new budget year begins April 1. It also would reduce services at 23 other parks, including Niagara Falls State Park, which is widely known around the world and is a magnet that attracts untold numbers of international travelers.
Assemblywoman Francine Del- Monte, the Lewiston Democrat who represents Niagara Falls among many other communities along the Niagara River and Lake Ontario, called upon State Parks Commissioner Carol Ash to explore ways for local municipalities to keep some of the parks open.
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Rink revival
From the Niagara Gazette:
The recent record snowfalls and frigid temperatures have delayed the installation of a free outdoor ice skating rink, set to open in DeVeaux Woods State Park.
New York State Park spokesperson Angela Berti said workers removed more than 18 inches of snow Wednesday in an effort to refill the rink with water to create a safe skating surface.
“We expect the rink to be open early next week,” Berti said. “We want this to become a community ice rink and we think it’s something that everyone is extremely excited for.”
In October, the City Council announced a partnership with State Parks by agreeing to contribute $20,000 in casino revenues to transform the park’s former tennis courts into the city’s first outdoor ice skating rink since the closing of Lackey Plaza in 2003.
Mayor Paul Dyster said the city and State Parks have done a good job of not allowing the project to fall through the cracks and expects the rink to be ready for skaters by Monday.
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