Birds could draw tourists to Whitehall

By Dan King

Birding is an increasing phenomenon along the Champlain Canal, and Whitehall officials hope that phenomenon can help drive tourism to the town.

To make Whitehall a destination, Friends of the Washington County IBA, Lakes to Locks Passage and the Town of Whitehall are working together.

Friends president Laurie LaFond reported that a group from the United Kingdom will be coming to Washington County for a familiarization tour of the birding areas and that one destination will be the education center in Whitehall, formerly the Canal Corp Visitors Center.

LaFond said the group will be reporting their experience as travel writers and that could help spark tourists’ interest in visiting the Birthplace of the U.S. Navy.

“We’re working on building a birding trail through the whole Lakes to Locks Corridor and the education center in Whitehall will be a great destination,” LaFond said.

Passage president Janet Kennedy said she will be including the Skenesborough Museum in the organization’s brochures and hopes to expand the group’s presence in Whitehall.

“We’re going to put up four interpretive signs and some kiosks showing people where to go regarding birding on the Champlain Canal and Lake Champlain,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy said the goal of the new signs and kiosks is not only to bring people in to the area for a few hours, but to keep them around.

“We’re going to be bringing people to Whitehall and try to lure them for multi-day trips,” Kennedy said. “That’s where you make your tourism money.”

Town officials were optimistic that with the opening of Historic Grounds Restaurant on Main Street, the purchase of the Whitehall Marina and RV Park, and the help from both Lakes to Locks and Friends of IBA, Whitehall could begin to lure tourists.

“I think this is a great thing for us,” said Village Trustee Marge Mohn.

“I think (Lakes of Locks) does a great job for our whole area,” said Town Councilwoman Stephanie Safka. “They’re like cheerleaders for Whitehall.”

The Town of Whitehall is still working on replacing the temporary gates in the Visitors Center with permanent walls, so FIBA can put up new displays. Supervisor George Armstrong said he spoke with Macleod’s Lumber to get estimates to construct new walls in the center and he hopes to move forward with the project soon.

Kennedy said that Lakes to Locks could potentially assist in any expenses for the walls.

“It could be a 30 percent match for the walls for the IBA,” she said.

Town officials said they will not decide on the plans for the walls until receiving estimates.