Could Orange County be the destination for indoor and outdoor water activities? That may be the case with two major projects being proposed in the area. Reporter Jessica Chen has the details.
ORANGE COUNTY, N.Y. -- The serene Delaware River could potentially turn into a kayaking mecca in Port Jervis.
It's one of two major water projects being proposed in Orange County.
"We look at it as using the national features that we have here," said City of Port Jervis mayor Kelly Decker.
He said they're hoping to build the White Water Kayak Park along the river.
Decker said this tourist attraction could be a huge boom for a city that has poverty rate of 17.5 percent.
"We’re going to develop this whole park into a natural recreational park," said Decker. "We’re going to build an amphitheater, a softball field, a pavilion."
Meanwhile, Town of Wallkill Supervisor Dan Depew said he's envisioning a four seasons indoor water park.
He's proposing the project on several sites including the Orange County Fairgrounds.
"Just imagine what this could do to lift the spirits of a lot of people in the area," said Depew.
But could two major water attractions in one County pose a conflict? Decker and Depew both say no.
"What Port Jervis is doing is what I think it should be doing, they're capitalizing on some of their greatest assets," said Depew.
Senator Chuck Schumer said he supports the kayak park in Port Jervis and is pushing the Federal Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Army Corps for approval. He said they're needed to help attract investors for the $2 to $4 million project.
The City of Port Jervis has already invested $60,000 into the project.
While Depew said he along with County officials will be traveling to Wisconsin to pitch their water park idea to developers.