As a Croton resident I’ve heard for years that our village needs to stimulate greater economic activity. One of the initiatives that I will pursue if elected is to promote our village as an attractive, accessible tourist destination. We have the advantage of being located on the Hudson River, and being the first express stop on many trains coming from New York City.
During the Halloween season Blaze brings an estimated 130,000 people to Croton. We should seek to capitalize on that great event—and Lightscapes in the spring—by promoting our local restaurants; developing related activities for visitors; and providing some incentives for the opening of bed and breakfasts in our village.
In addition, we could seek to enhance the kayak rental area by offering rowboats and/or canoes; offering guided tours of Croton Point and the New Croton Dam; and promoting the rich history of Croton and the Native Americans that lived here. We could also work with the county and other organizations to enhance regional tourism with the creation of a multi-location tour pass (think Kykuit; Van Cortlandt Manor; Peekskill Lincoln Museum; Lyndhurst Castle; John Jay home, etc.).
Photo by Acroterion/Wikimedia Commons
The views from many vantage points in our village are breathtaking, and our village could be promoted as an accessible choice for city dwellers looking to get away to a charming, historic and scenic nearby weekend destination. If I’m fortunate enough to be elected on November 8, you can count on me to promote these activities.
Mark Aarons