"Adirondack 102 Club"

Park overuse is an issue which we have contemplated numerous times as we discuss the various benefits and drawbacks of tourism in the park. At this point in Adirondack history, tourism is absolutely essential to the economic well-being of year-round park residents, however the concentration of tourists in particular areas becomes problematic. Tourists are generally attracted to areas which have already been widely traveled. Accounts of amazing views lead tourists to flock to the High Peaks region and other legendary peaks such as Mount Marcy. Tourists similarly travel to popular towns, such as Lake Placid and Saranac Lake, that are known for their history as classic locations to visit in the park. Although these trends are beneficial for local businesses in these areas, such high wear in leads to ecological degradation along popular trails, and takes business away from towns that also have great experiences to offer. Travel writer Marty Podskoch is particularly irked by the concept of wearing down the beaten path, and recently released a book titled “The Adirondack 102 Club” in an attempt to encourage people to visit all 102 towns and villages in the Adirondacks (“Project encourages travel to Adirondack towns”, 2).

Podskoch’s inspiration for this book came from an article about the Vermont 251 Club which she read in the American Profile Magazine. The club was started by Dr. Arthur W. Peach who suggested the idea of leaving the well-traveled road to “discover the secret and lovely places that main roads do not reveal” (“Adirondack 102 Club”, Podskoch). Podskoch realized that a similar idea would benefit towns in the Adirondacks, and asked the town supervisors if they could provide a description of their town or village that would be featured in the book. Towns quickly responded and were excited by the concept of this book, which will serve as a guide to travelers in their attempt to visit all these towns. Members of the 102 club have to get their book signed by locals or stamped by a resident as proof that they visited this area. These interactions will also serve as a great way to learn about local attractions. A member receives a “Vagabond” award, named for the way Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone and John Burroughs described themselves on camping trips in the Adirondacks, once they travel to all 102 towns and villages.

I personally believe that this appears to be a great way to encourage tourists to visit numerous areas of the park. It may take a little while to change current trends, but in the long run hopefully word will grow of the uniqueness of each town in the Adirondacks. However, this concept brings me back to a few questions I have about the relocation of tourists. Is it actually more environmentally friendly to spread the wear to numerous Adirondack regions, or would it actually be better for ecosystems to keep tourists concentrated in one area? Should we focus on keeping lands that are relatively untouched protected from tourist bustle? As we continue to understand the effects of tourism on the environment, I think it may be worthwhile for scientists to find a clearer answer and compare the health of ecosystems in various regions of wear.

*Thank you to Michaela Guinee for editing this post. 

Sources: 
"Adirondack 102 Club." Amazon. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 May 2015.
    <http://www.amazon.com/Adirondack-102-Club-Passport-Country/dp/
     0979497973>.
Podskoch, Marty. "History." Adirondack 102 Club. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2015. 

     <http://adirondack102club.com/history.html#>.