PATTEN — Katahdin Woods & Waters today released a new 60-second promotional video showcasing the amazing recreational opportunities available in the Katahdin region.
“The Katahdin region offers unmatched four-season recreational opportunities,” said Lucas St. Clair, the president of Elliotsville Plantation Inc., the private foundation that owns the land that makes up the Katahdin Woods & Waters recreation area. “Last fall, we increased public access on 100,000 acres of land. Now we want people to visit the region and see for themselves just how amazing this place is.”
In September, EPI opened more than 40,000 acres of land for hunting and began making improvements on an additional 60,000 acres to increase public access. The foundation is considering options for the creation of a new national park and national recreation area in the region.
No specific plan exists for the new national park and adjacent national recreation area, but the concept under discussion with local residents, businesses and stakeholders statewide would be for a national park of up to 75,000 acres west of the East Branch of the Penobscot River for fishing, hiking, paddling, wildlife watching and scenic views, and a national recreation area roughly the same size on the east side of the river for those activities plus snowmobiling, hunting and other traditional outdoors activities.
“One of the questions I’m sometimes asked is ‘why would people visit a park and recreation area,’” St. Clair said. “I think this video answers that question and shows just how incredible this area is and how much potential a national park and recreation area would have to improve the economy and create jobs.”
A recent economic study found that similar areas elsewhere in the United States with national parks and national recreation areas have higher personal income and more jobs than the Katahdin region.
To view the video, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kunEo6cSVx4. A two-minute version of the video will be released soon and will also be available on the website.
For more information, please visit www.katahdinwoods.org.
