May 2026

ORDA Venues Record Numbers of Vistors

Visitation to New York State’s Olympic Regional Development Authority venues surpassed 1.2 million visits during the 2025-26 fiscal year, setting a new record and underscoring the state’s leadership in tourism, recreation and international sport. The growth has been driven global events, tourism partnerships, and winter sports and athlete development.

The majority of visits occurred during peak winter months, supported by favorable conditions, expanded snowmaking capabilities, and a full calendar of events and competitions. Visitation surpassed previous records, with particularly strong winter demand. Total skier visitation at Whiteface, Gore, Belleayre and Mt. Van Hoevenberg saw a nine percent increase over last year.  

In addition, international events and Olympic momentum helped drive helped drive visitation and international visibility, including the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series which drew 17,400 attendees; FIS Cross-Country World Cup Finals at Mt Van Hoevenberg, which attracted 35,600 attendees over three days; and ECAC Hockey Championships, where the women’s championship recorded its highest attendance on record. These events, combined with Lake Placid’s legacy as a two-time Olympic host, continue to generate strong interest during an Olympic cycle, reinforcing the region’s global reputation as a premier winter sports destination.

The state’s Olympic venues also serve as a hub for elite athlete training and international competition. Each year, the Olympic Authority hosts thousands of athletes in partnership with the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee and national governing bodies. This impact is reflected on the global stage, with 14 members of Team USA for the 2026 Winter Olympics listed as New York hometown athletes, alongside a broader group who live and train at Olympic Authority venue: lakeplacidlegacysites.com.

Accessible Kayak Launch at Hudson Crossing Park

The community celebrated the official ribbon cutting of Hudson Crossing Park’s new accessible kayak launch on Lock C5 Island. Surrounded by supporters, partners, and community members, the moment marked not just the opening of a new feature, but a meaningful step forward in accessibility and inclusion.

Following the ribbon cutting, Jim Nolan, Siena University professor and former supervisor of the Town of Greenwich, took the inaugural launch. Before an accident left him with quadriplegia, Jim was an avid paddler. His return to the water was a powerful and emotional moment, demonstrating to everyone present that access to nature and recreation should never be limited by ability. His launch served as a reminder of what this project is truly about: possibility. 

As executive director Kate Morse shared during the ceremony, “Here’s what we know: when someone who uses a wheelchair can slide into a kayak and feel the current of the Hudson beneath them – that matters. When an older adult who thought their days on the water were behind them discovers they’re not – that matters. When a child with a disability watches a family member launch from this dock and thinks, I can do that too – that matters.”

Installed by BoardSafe Docks, the adaptive launch is thoughtfully designed to support safer, more independent entry and exit from the water. With features that provide stability, transfer support, and ease of use, it opens the door for individuals of all abilities to experience the Champlain Canal in a way that may not have been possible before.

This project was made possible through the generous support of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, AARP, a trail grant from Saratoga County, and donations from community members. Their combined investment reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that outdoor spaces, and the experiences they offer, are accessible to all: hudsoncrossingpark.org.

Father-Son Duo Break Record at Boston Marathon

Shaun and Shamus Evans, the father-son duo of Galway, are now the fastest American pair in Boston Marathon history. Team Evans crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 47 minutes and set a personal record and now hold the national record. 

They became racing partners and have been competing since 2013 in challenges across the country, including a 3,200-mile run across America when Shamus was nine years old, a 1,700-mile run down the Mississippi River, and their first ever international race at the Tokyo Marathon in 2025, making history as the first duo team to compete in that race. 

Duo teams consist of a runner pushing a non-ambulatory person in a customized racing chair. Shaun and Shamus Evans, who in addition to racing for personal enjoyment, use their visibility and athleticism to spread messages of inclusion for people with disabilities: instagram.com/power2push.