million Via NY Forward Program

year-round shopping

• further enhance the viewshed from main Street to Otsego Lake

• link existing neighborhoods, open space, and recreational areas

• make the Village Hall a community anchor

• explore feasibility of mixed-use development in the vicinity of Doubleday Field

“For instance,” Tillapaugh said, “we would like to make Hoffman Lane pedestrian friendly and more welcoming. We want to improve accessibility to the lake from main Street and enhance entrances into Lakefront Park, perhaps with interpretive signage.”

According to the grant narrative, “With design and engineering plans complete, the construction of an accessible Viewing Platform in Lakefront Park will provide greater access to Otsego Lake for visitors and residents. Located just one block from the Village’s m ain Street via Hoffman Lane, this 2.6-acre dedicated park land has benefited from Village investment in floating boat docks, a boat wash station, and improvements to the Fish Road boat launch to provide greater recreational opportunities. The construction of an accessible platform will further improve access to Lake Otsego for all, particularly for non-boaters.” strategy as the DRI to support a more equitable downtown recovery for New York’s smaller and rural communities. The Village of Cooperstown had thrown its hat in the ring previously for DRI grant monies, but was unsuccessful.

“We applied for Downtown Revitalization Initiative funding in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021. There was no grant round in 2020 due to the pandemic. In 2022, the state developed NY Forward specifically for small communities. The Governor understood our differences,” Tillapaugh said.

“Ensuring small towns and cities have

CCE Climate Steward Training Begins on March 23

OTSEGO COUNTY—To support the goals of New York State’s Climate Smart Communities program, Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties is offering a 12-week online Climate Stewards Volunteer Training. Cornell Climate Stewards Volunteers will receive comprehensive training on climate change science, while also learning about how to plan and implement solutions in local communities.

The Cornell Climate Stewards training program covers topics such as climate science, impacts, mitigation, adaptation, public communication, interacting with local and state government, creating and planning local projects, and climate justice. Volunteers will also learn how to develop and organize community projects, write grants, and much more. Participants will become part of a growing community of trained Cornell Climate Steward volunteers who meet to share ideas, network and support local Climate Smart Community efforts.

The upcoming Cornell Climate Stewards training will be held via Zoom from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday evenings beginning on march 23 and ending on June 8. In addition to the online training, Climate Steward trainees will also have opportunities to participate in in-person programs and activities to advance the goals of Climate Smart Communities in Schoharie and Otsego counties.

Apply to become a certified CCE Climate Stewards volunteer today. There is a registration fee of $25, and scholarships are available. For more information, or to apply, visit www. cceschoharie-otsego.org or contact Liz Callahan at (607) 547-2536, extension 233.