Wilmington, NY - In an effort to share the community and outstanding natural resources with everyone, Wilmington, New York has recently launched the Wonders of Wilmington (WOW) Challenge. This is no ordinary challenge: participants here are invited to complete the Hiking, Mountain Biking, or Family Fun challenges to receive their patch. Each WOW Challenge consists of six selected "trails," with the optional experience of visiting the summit of Whiteface Mountain or Little Whiteface in whatever way is most appropriate: by foot, by car, by bike, or by gondola. For each Challenge completed, participants are able to register online to be added to our finisher’s roster and receive the corresponding 3-inch WOW patch. And, if a pet companion joins, they can be registered and receive a 2-inch WOW patch designed just for them! "My family and friends have had so much fun participating in several of the local hiking challenges and earning patches,” said Karen Keasler, Wilmington resident & WOW creator. “Wilmington is lesser known but has so much to offer including being the home of Whiteface Mountain and the ‘mountain bike capital of the Adirondacks,’ so we thought it would be great for Wilmington to have its own challenge. “We named the program the ‘Wonders of Wilmington’ and hope that people and pet companions will enjoy experiencing the area through these WOW challenges,” Keasler continued. The WOW Hiking Challenge includes a set of trails not included in any of the other local hiking challenges. Trails range in length from 2 miles to 8-miles round trip and in difficulty from easy to challenging. It’s not all about hiking, though. There’s a patch-earning Challenge just for mountain bikers. Riders get to tackle some of the finest trails around, in what has been dubbed "the mountain bike capital of the Adirondacks." For families and groups, the WOW Family Fun Challenge is more about experiences than hikes or rides. This WOW challenge is designed intentionally for multi-generational families and groups to enjoy together “Wilmington offers so many unique activities to be enjoyed by both residents and travelers alike. Adding the WOW Challenges is just another way to enhance and showcase what the area has to offer,” stated Savannah Doviak, the Whiteface Region Regional Marketing Manager with ROOST. “We are excited to see this new program launch.” For more information or to register your Challenge completion, visit www.WondersOfWilmington.com. ###

Adirondacks, U.S.A. - Stewart’s Shops and the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) are partnering this summer and fall to educate visitors on backcountry preparedness. As part of the Love Your ADK campaign, there will be messages aired at Stewart’s Shops locations about using the restroom before heading out to the trailhead and making sure adequate supplies are packed. “The uptick in outdoor recreation is noticeable across the Adirondacks in every activity,” said Savannah Doviak, ROOST’s Special Project Manager. “Education is a great way to spread awareness in a meaningful way. We are excited to be working with Stewart’s Shops on this project to educate hikers and outdoor enthusiasts on preparedness, waste in the backcountry, and where restroom facilities are located.” Backcountry preparedness is the main focus of ROOST’s Love Your ADK campaign. Love Your ADK was launched in April of 2020 in partnership between the Adirondack Mountain Club, Adirondack Council, New York Department of Environmental Conservation, and ROOST. The goal of the program is to create unified and up-to-date information that will help travelers and recreationists learn how to best prepare for their outdoor adventures. ‘Go Before You Go’ The “Go Before You Go” campaign will run through the summer and fall, from July through October, during the peak season for outdoor enthusiasts traveling to the Adirondacks. Video displays inside Stewart’s Shops locations will air two different videos with “Go Before You Go” messaging and other important hiking preparedness tips. Outdoors at fuel pump stations, similar messaging will also air in an audio ad. “Stewart’s Shops has always been that quick stop on your way to the trailhead to stock up on snacks and drinks. We encourage everyone to do their part and ‘Go Before You Go’ and preserve the beauty of the Adirondack Park,” said Erica Komoroske, Stewart’s Shops Director of Public Affairs. In addition to audio and video messaging, digital and print content was created for this campaign. On the Waste 101 page of the Love Your ADK website, ROOST has added a map that includes Stewart’s Shops, other public restrooms, and visitor centers. Rack cards will also be available at visitor center locations and other high-traffic locations with relevant information and a QR code that directs to the online map. The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism is the destination marketing and management organization for Hamilton and Essex counties, along with the communities of Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake, all located within the Adirondacks in New York State. ROOST is also a Community Member of the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. Stewart’s Shops is an employee- and family-owned and operated convenience store chain with over 345 locations in New York and southern Vermont. ### https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3w-hugBy2s Video Screenshot - PrepardnessVideo Screenshot - 'Go Before You Go'

Lake Placid IRONMAN Join us for a community discussion on renewing the IRONMAN contract for 2022. Date/Time: Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at 10 a.m. Video link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83524614032?pwd=NzJaWks4NXZITTE1OHlDQWpMR0NHZz09 Call information: 646-558-8656 US Meeting ID: 835 2461 4032Passcode: 268315

Lake Placid, NY – The 21st annual IRONMAN Lake Placid triathlon will take place from 6:25 a.m. to midnight Sunday, July 25, 2021. The triathlon route includes a 2.4-mile swim in Mirror Lake, a 112-mile bike ride through Lake Placid, Keene, Upper Jay, Jay, Black Brook, and Wilmington, and a 26.2-mile run in and around the Lake Placid village. Temporary road closures will begin at 5 a.m. The following are all estimated times based on New York State Police traffic control. Please use caution and expect delays. Road closures (Route 86) southbound to Lake Placid from Wilmington beginning from 7 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.Route 86 westbound from Jay to Wilmington will close from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.Route 9N will close northbound from Keene to Jay at 6 a.m until 5 p.m.Haselton Road will be closed in both directions from Bilhuber Road to the Black Brook town line from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.Haselton Road from Route 86 to Bilhuber Road will be open only northbound from 8 a.m - 5 p.m.Road closures (Route 73) south / eastbound from Lake Placid to Keene beginning at 5 a.m. until 4 p.m. Notice to residents and businesses along the Wilmington Road from the traffic light to the Cobble Mt. Lodge: Your home or business will be impacted as the cyclists will travel out and back on Wilmington Road/Route 86 from Northwood Road to the traffic light on Main Street at the Route 73 intersection. Thank you for your understanding and please use caution when exiting your residence as there will be bikes in both directions and they will be traveling in the opposite lane of traffic. Notice to Northwood Road/Cobble Hill Road residents Your home or business will be impacted re: travel towards Mirror Lake Dr. Until 10 a.m. we will be very congested as the swim exit consumes our public safety officers. After 10 a.m., you will be able to travel northbound via a metered system with access at the Cobble Hill Rd/Northwood Road intersection. Please be patient and the troopers will do their best to get you moving. If you live on Northwood Rd, please be aware that cyclists will be traveling north in the counterflow traffic lane and that vehicles detouring towards Wilmington will be in the opposite lane. The final cyclist will clear Northwood Rd at 5:30 p.m. Alternate Routes LAKE PLACID TO JAY: From Saranac Avenue/Route 86, go left at Main Street at the High Peaks Resort to Mirror Lake Drive. Left on Northwood Road. Left on Cobble Hill Road. Left on Route 86 to Wilmington. Right on Route 86 to Jay. Expect delays in the Village of Lake Placid, in Wilmington, and in Jay from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. AUSABLE FORKS TO WILMINGTON: North on Main Street at Stewart’s to stop sign. Left on Guideboard Road. Bear left at the fork to Silver Lake Road. Left on Bonnieview Road to Wilmington. Expect delays at the main intersection in Wilmington. AUSABLE FORKS TO SARANAC LAKE/LAKE PLACID: North on Main Street at Stewart’s to stop sign. Left on Guideboard Road. Bear left at the fork to Silver Lake Road. Left on Union Falls Road to Route 3. Left on Route 3 to Saranac Lake. In Saranac Lake take Route 86 East to Lake Placid. AUSABLE FORKS TO KEENE: Route 86 West, crossing Jersey Bridge to Sheldrake Road. Right on North Jay Road (County Route 64). Left on Valley Road (County Route 58). Right on Trumbulls Corner Road. Left on Route 9N South to Keene. Expect delays in Ausable Forks and at Route 9N intersection. SARANAC LAKE TO I-87 SOUTHBOUND: Route 3 West to Tupper Lake. Route 30 South to Long Lake. Route 28N to Newcomb. Route 2 East to Exit 29 on Route I-87 or Route 28N to Warrensburg. POINTS SOUTH ON ROUTE I-87 TO LAKE PLACID: From northbound Route I-87 take exit 29 to Route 2 West to Route 28N. Turn right on Route 28N to Newcomb. Route 28N to Long Lake. Right on Route 30 to Tupper Lake. Right on Route 3 East to Saranac Lake. Take exit 30 towards Keene. Follow Route 9N to Rt 73. Expect delays at Keene. POINTS NORTH ON ROUTE I-87 TO LAKE PLACID: From southbound on Route I-87 take exit 31 to Route 9N North. Route 9N North to Elizabethtown. Route 9N North to Route 73. Right on Route 73 to Keene. Expect delays at the intersection in Keene. KEENE TO LAKE PLACID: Route 73 westbound lane open. Expect Delays at River Road/Ski Jumps intersection. Access Village of Lake Placid via Old Military Road. LAKE PLACID TO WILMINGTON/AUSABLE FORKS/I-87 NORTHBOUND: From Saranac Avenue/Route 86, go left at the High Peaks Resort to Mirror Lake Drive. Left on Northwood Road. Left on Cobble Hill Road. Left on Route 86 to Wilmington. Straight through the intersection on Bonnieview Road (County Route 19). Right on Silver Lake Road and follow detour arrows to Ausable Forks. Expect delays in the Village of Lake Placid and in Wilmington from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ###

Lake Placid, NY - An agreement has been reached to extend a one-year contract with IRONMAN Group for the ViewSPORT IRONMAN® Lake Placid triathlon 2022. This decision was mutually agreed to by all towns the race impacts, The Village of Lake Placid, Essex County, the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST), and IRONMAN Group. “We have received a great deal of engagement from area residents and feel it is necessary to address the feedback prior to considering a longer term agreement,” stated Jim McKenna, CEO of ROOST. A community task force will be created and will be composed of key stakeholders and members from all of the towns the race impacts. The goal of the task force will be to address issues surrounding the event while looking for ways to improve community benefits. Some of the issues voiced so far include pre-race training, environmental impact, current race course, and the economic impact. “We are currently in the process of developing a destination management plan for the Town of North Elba and the Village of Lake Placid. This one-year contract and the formation of a regional IRONMAN task force is part of the process to ensure community goals are met,” said McKenna. Registration for the 2022 ViewSPORT IRONMAN Lake Placid triathlon will open on Monday, July 26 following this year’s edition of the triathlon which will take place this Sunday, July 25. ###