NARROWSBURG — The Upper Delaware Scenic Byway (UDSB) non-profit organization awarded $17,400 for community projects in 2023 through its four competitive grant programs and event sponsorships.

Vista Enhancement Along the Byway grants are offered to improve New York State Route 97 travelers’ views of the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River and the byway corridor. Eligible public or private properties for selective clearing work must be located along the designated portions of the byway.

In March, the board approved combining three Vista Enhancement projects in the Town of Delaware into an $8,200 award for new or deferred work: 1) to open up the view of the Delaware River heading north on Rt. 97 across the Viaduct into Callicoon by reducing the height of trees and removing vegetative obstructions along the lower part of Viaduct Road, the railroad trestle, and along the Callicoon Creek by the Delaware Youth Center and the Sullivan County Democrat office for $4,000; 2) to extend the riverside view at a prior work site located across from the Rt. 97 intersection with Starcks Lane between mile markers 1396 and 1398 for $2,200; and 3) to thin out trees on Central New York Railroad property to improve the vista for $2,000. 

UDSB board member Rosie DeCristofaro coordinated obtaining quotes, property owner permission releases, scheduling, and oversight of the work done by contractor Mootz Tree Trimming LLC of Callicoon.

One Promoting Butterflies on the Byway grant, available for habitat promotion efforts, pollinator gardens planting and similar projects, was approved in February for $700 to create a display entitled “Butterflies that Travel from New York to Mexico” at the Ten Mile River Scout Camps Museum in Narrowsburg. 

The exhibit installed on April 28 included an indoor display case describing the life cycle and annual migration of Monarch butterflies and outdoor signage at a stand of milkweed explaining the plant’s critical role in sustaining habitat for this threatened species.

The applicant was Museum Co-Director Glenn Pontier and exhibit design work was accomplished by Dorene Warner of W Design in Barryville.

The UDSB awarded two Culture and History Along the Byway grants of $1,500 each for the 4th Annual Deep Water Literary Festival which took place on June 16-19 in Narrowsburg (approved on Feb. 27) and the 2nd Annual Halloween Harvest Festival held October 28 in Barryville (approved on Aug. 28).

Deep Water Projects Director Aaron Hicklin and his team organized the literary festival which incorporates the Delaware River and surroundings by celebrating the creators who live in this community, creates an opportunity for locals to engage with literary legends, and this year partnered with the Lenape Center of New York for programing about the Lenape people and heritage of this region.

Barryville Farmers’ Market Treasurer George Billard submitted the application for the Halloween Harvest Festival held in conjunction with the Greater Barryville Chamber of Commerce and other sponsors which included trick-or-treating among vendor booths, a performance by the Disney song classics national touring band Little Mermen, lectures, art activations, a recipe contest, and a non-profit information alley.

No Signage Along the Byway grant applications were received in 2023. This program is open to businesses and non-profit groups to develop appropriate new signage or replace deteriorated signs to promote byway attractions along or in proximity to NYS Route 97.

Additionally, UDSB, Inc. voted on March 27 to provide a $500 donation to the 3rd Annual Upper Delaware Litter Sweep and to sponsor the 2nd Annual Festival of the Founding Fish at a $5,000 level.

The April 22-30 Litter Sweep was a series of land-based trash pick-ups conducted by volunteers in every river valley town with provided supplies that the Upper Delaware Council, Inc. (UDC) annually organizes.

May 20-28 Shadfest activities included an Upper Delaware Scenic Byway 20th Anniversary Shadfest Bus Run with historical narration from John Conway and numerous community stops roundtrip from Port Jervis to Hancock; an Angler’s Trade Fair & Shad Shindig at Fort Delaware in Narrowsburg; a Youth Fishing Day with students from The Homestead School in cooperation with the National Park Service, local casting experts, and A Single Bite healthy foods program; and a shad theme at the Barryville Farmers’ Market. 

The byway’s sponsorship was a match to the $5,000 Festival of the Founding Fish contribution allocated by Sullivan County Legislature Chairman Robert Doherty from his District 1 discretionary funds based on an application filed by UDSB, Inc. on March 15 that yielded an executed contract on May 24.

Grants awarded to UDSB, Inc. in 2023 were $25,000 through the Sullivan County Legislature’s Discretionary Funds Contracts for non-profit organizations awarded in a Feb. 16 resolution, with payment received on May 30; and a New York State Legislative Initiative Grant secured by NYS Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther (100th District) for $40,000 to assist with various operational expenses, administered by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, for which payment was received on May 25.

The UDSB Committee accepts applications for its grant programs on a rolling basis year-round to review at their regular 4th Monday of the month meetings. To request guidelines and application forms, leave a message on the 866-511-UDSB (8372) recorded hotline or emailinfo@upperdelawarescenicbyway.org.