Morning Read: a reality of the toursim economy
Working on the major holidays. The Adirondack Daily Enterprise did a nice thing today by acknowledging all the folks who make a seasonal town go. They work the gas stations, the ice cream stands and the convenience stores when most people are enjoying a big day off.
I used to be one of these people, lifeguarding crowded beaches in Glens Falls and, later, Moreau State Park. The city beaches, then Haviland’s Cove and East Field, were a trip. Wonderful locales in “tough” neighborhoods, with the same kids coming every day and their parents and other grown-ups crowding in on the weekends.
This was in the late 60s. I don’t know if the Haviland’s Cove beach (on the Hudson in West Glens Falls) is still open or not (someone can chime in here I hope!) but in the day there was a concession stand picnic area, and families would come and spend hours…and sometimes, drink a few beers. There were interesting events. One day Katie, a lifeguard who’s family lived up the street, finally broke up an ongoing argument by picking up an oar and chasing the two guys out of the park.
Anyhow, a tip of the hat to all the people who work so long and so hard to make a living in a tourism economy, and keep us all gassed up and fed as we enjoy our vacations and holidays!
Tags: adirondacks, economy
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The link to the ADE seems to be malfunctioning.
Thanks! It’s fixed.
Must’ve been a while ago because I wouldn’t consider East Field and Haviland’s Cove to be in “tough” neighborhoods now.
Actually Haviland’s Cove is still a city beach. Though it’s on the south side of the city of Glens Falls (not West Glens Falls, which is actually a hamlet of the town of Queensbury). No more concession stand, just vending machines. Still a great location for swimming, if you ask me.
The beach at East Field closed several years ago for swimming but the pond still is around for fishing. Now there is a pool there for swimming.
Indeed! Many thanks to the folks who make tourist towns fun, convenient, and enjoyable to visit. Where would we be without them?
Thanks for the update, Brian – MOFYC not NCPR.
Yes, a long time ago. 1966 – 69, I think. I was pretty young. Dan Reardon was the city rec director, kind of an enormous character in some circles. The east end was Irish territory, and Italian as I remember. Some of my understanding of Glens Falls demographics is rooted in my dad’s experiences as a born and bred city resident. Smallest house on Grove Ave.
Haviland Cove in those days was a lovely spot; East Field not so much.
Martha, I grew up on Lincoln Ave. and used to go to all those places you mentioned. I was the red-headed freckle faced kid that thought you were cute!
The thing is this; this isn’t really tourism. It’s local folks going to the park. One of the big problems in the Adirondacks is that “tourism” is mostly locals using the park, unless, of course, you go to Lake George, Lake Placid, or Schroon Lake (and the ski slopes in winter). The tourism revenues are rather dismal, and they are confined to very tight geographic locations. A tourism economy is fragile and vulnerable, and if economic growth in the Adirondacks is important to anyone, then the whole reliance upon tourism really needs to be reconsidered.
Heh Martha, that’s exactly where I live now… not the smallest house but yes on that street. Go figure…
John, we see plenty of out-of-state plates in Saranac Lake and at nearby DEC campgrounds and at St. Regis Canoe Area put-ins– mostly PA, Ohio, Mass, Conn, Quebec and Ontario, but some from much further afield.
As to reconsidering our reliance on tourism, what else would you propose? Do you think there are a lot of alternatives that haven’t been tried?