Thats Niagara » niagara river

Future cloudy for Falls favorite Maid of the Mist

Graham — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:00:57 +0000

Deliberations in Canada over the future of the Maid of the Mist sightseeing boats at Niagara Falls are being closely watched in the United States, where elected and tourism officials want to avoid disruptions to an iconic draw that brings millions of tourists to the Falls each year.

The double-decker boats ferry people from both sides of the Niagara River to the base of the Horseshoe Falls under separate agreements with New York state and Ontario, Canada. The tours have run continuously since 1846.

The Niagara Parks Commission, an arm of the Ontario government that controls the land and buildings around the Canadian falls, approved a 25-year contract with the Maid of the Mist Steamship Co. in 2008. But the lack of competition for the deal drew criticism, so the commission called for bids from competing boat tour operators for the first time.

The multimillion-dollar bids are under review; the commission is expected to make its recommendation to Ontario’s tourism minister in February, though at one point it had anticipated choosing a company by the end of last year.

Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://washingtonexaminer.com/entertainment/travel/2012/01/future-cloudy-falls-favorite-maid-mist/2147516?utm_source=feedburnerdcexaminer%2Fwheels&utm_medium=feedWheels&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dcexaminer%2Fwheels+%28Wheels%29%24%7Bdistribu&utm_content=%24%7BdistributionCha#ixzz1kx3vjMZd

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Wallenda needs Canadian approval or Falls walk proposal is dead: New York State Parks

Graham — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:00:58 +0000

So as the details of the Nik Wallenda/Michael Chan meeting were coming out, there were also reports that if this is going to happen at all, it has to happen as a walk between the two countries. Apparently New York State officials have said a walk solely on the US side is not an option. It would cost too much money. This doesn’t really make sense to me. One of the big things that Mr. Wallenda was promoting to the Niagara Parks was that it wouldn’t cost them anything, as he would cover the costs for everything. If he would do that here, wouldn’t he do that in the US?

From the Niagara Falls Review:

It’s America to Canada — or bust — for Nik Wallenda, according to New York State Parks.

In a statement sent to The Niagara Falls Review Friday evening, New York State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey said she has reached out to the tightrope walker to inform him the agency can’t support a high-wire act limited to the American Falls.

Wallenda has not been able to secure approval for an international crossing from Canadian authorities.

“A walk limited to the American Falls is not what New York approved or envisioned in legislation authorizing Nik Wallenda to traverse the Niagara River Gorge from the United States to Canada,” Harvey said in the statement.

“The costs to New York State of managing a walk only across the American Falls would exceed $1 million in direct state expenses, while, because of the physical topography of Niagara Falls and crowd-safety concerns, the number of people who could watch such a walk would be extremely limited.

“As a result, despite the costs to New York State, the vast majority of people on the U.S. side would be turned away from the park and never see the walk.”

Members of New York delegation respond to Wallenda rejection From Niagara Frontier Publications: In the wake of the Niagara...
More on approval by NY for Wallenda to talk over Falls Yesterday I posted a few links to articles about Nik...
Wallenda won’t give up on falls tightrope dream From the Niagara Falls Review: Both Nik Wallenda and the...

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We must avert another environmental disaster in Falls

Graham — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 20:00:34 +0000

From the Buffalo News:

Niagara Falls isn’t just a place where newlyweds go to snap pictures.

It’s an international treasure that feeds into Lake Ontario and provides drinking water to Toronto and beyond. And now, its future is in the hands of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, both of which are pushing hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in the state, as well as the Niagara Falls Water Board, which will soon decide whether or not to accept toxic fracking waste trucked in from around the state. Get ready Niagara — you’re about to get fracked.

Many Americans are familiar with the disaster at Love Canal and the ensuing demand for stronger environmental regulation after a corporation buried massive amounts of toxic chemicals around Niagara Falls — chemicals that saddled thousands of residents with chronic health problems ranging from birth defects to cancer. Now the oil and gas industry wants to send its toxic waste to the city’s wastewater treatment plant, which discharges into the Niagara River, into Niagara Falls and eventually into Lake Ontario.

Falls Parks: Canada Thrives, U.S. Struggles From WNED-AM 970 NEWS: On one side of Niagara Falls,...
Niagara Falls State Park getting upgrades after critical NY Times article From an Associated Press article seen on Yahoo! News Canada:...
Wallenda gets OK to cross the falls From the Buffalo News: The walk is on — at...

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Body Found at Cave Of The Winds

Graham — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:00:57 +0000

From WKBW Channel 7 in Buffalo:

New York State Park Police officers responded to a call at 11:10 a.m, of a body found floating in the lower Niagara River at the Cave of the Winds.

Also seen at:

Niagara Gazette – Body reportedly found at Cave of the Winds

Niagara Falls State Park attraction admission scam leads to arrests From the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal: New York State Park...
Hafen to the rescue, again From Niagara This Week: A Niagara Falls helicopter pilot once...
State Parks Commissioner Outlines Niagara Falls State Park Improvement Plans From WKBW Channel 7 in Buffalo: New York State Parks,...

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How much do you think you know about Niagara Falls? Take the quiz

Graham — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:00:05 +0000

This quiz was in the Niagara Falls Review last week, but it is still worth trying. Here are some of the questions, and click through to read them all and see all of the options and answers…

Rounded to the nearest thousand, what is the population of Niagara Falls?
What anniversary is the Niagara Parks Commission’s School of Horticulture celebrating this year?
What is Niagara Falls’ official flower?
Which of these parks is the oldest?
How many lights illuminate the falls each night?
The first person to perform on a tightrope stretched across the Niagara River Gorge was
Which one of these carmakers once had a glass plant in Niagara Falls?

Wire walk across Niagara Gorge gets political support in the U.S. From 610 CKTB: A tightrope walker who wants to walk...
Should experienced high-wire walker be allowed to cross the falls? From the Niagara Falls Review: Since he was a boy...
Crossing Niagara, the return journey From The Independent (in the UK): It takes a cool...

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Daredevil survived falls, but not orange peel

Graham — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 17:00:14 +0000

From the Niagara Falls Review:

After successfully going over the Horseshoe Falls in a barrel on Oct. 24, 1901, Annie Taylor, the first person to try such a stunt, reportedly said: “Nobody ought to ever do that again!”

For 10 years nobody did.

Then along came Bobby Leach. A native of Cornwall, England, he was a daredevil full of bravado and bravery who first stepped into the spotlight in Niagara Falls in 1906 when he parachuted into the Niagara River after jumping off the Upper Steel Arch Bridge, which was close to where the Rainbow Bridge is now.

Leach’s ultimate goal, however, was to become the second person, and the first man, to go over the Horseshoe Falls in a barrel. After many delays, frustrations and considerable expense, he was ready.

Bay City woman’s story as the first to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel told in new book From MLive.com: Annie Edson Taylor left her boarding house room...
Steering in the right direction From the Niagara Falls Review: A Niagara Falls councillor wants...
Should experienced high-wire walker be allowed to cross the falls? From the Niagara Falls Review: Since he was a boy...

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Should experienced high-wire walker be allowed to cross the falls?

Graham — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:00:38 +0000

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.

Wire walk across Niagara Gorge gets political support in the U.S. From 610 CKTB: A tightrope walker who wants to walk...
Wallenda gets OK to cross the falls From the Buffalo News: The walk is on — at...
State Parks Commissioner Outlines Niagara Falls State Park Improvement Plans From WKBW Channel 7 in Buffalo: New York State Parks,...

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Hafen to the rescue, again

Graham — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:00:40 +0000

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.

State Parks Commissioner Outlines Niagara Falls State Park Improvement Plans From WKBW Channel 7 in Buffalo: New York State Parks,...
Group puts Falls on list of most ‘playful cities’ From the Buffalo News: The City of Niagara Falls, which...
Dedication to mark Falls park’s anniversary From the Buffalo News: The yearlong celebration of the 125th...

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State Parks Commissioner Outlines Niagara Falls State Park Improvement Plans

Graham — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 19:00:43 +0000

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.”

Schumer: Falls State Park a top priority From WIVB Channel 4 in Buffalo: Senator Charles Schumer is...
Falls State Park offers photo focus in highlighting ‘Beyond the Barrel’ From the Buffalo News: It took Kenn Morgan more than...
Dedication to mark Falls park’s anniversary From the Buffalo News: The yearlong celebration of the 125th...

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Floral Clock vs. Love Canal…we win that one…

Graham — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 13:00:14 +0000

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.

Chan rallies NPC staff From the Niagara Falls Review: The public has “high expectations”...
36 Hours in Niagara Falls From the New York Times: At Niagara Falls, the United...
Boat tour evaluations being done in secret From the Niagara Falls Review: The Niagara Parks Commission is...

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