Clark Sportscenter
and
Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce

18^th Annual Seasonal Event

AVA Event 81785 #09/386

10/5 km Volkswalk (6.2 miles)
April 25 - November 30, 2009

Welcome To Cooperstown, New York home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. This event is sanctioned by the American Volkssport Association (AVA) a member of the International Federation of Popular Sports (IVV). Participants are eligible for credit toward IVV Achievement Awards.
This walk counts in the Revolutionary Walk Program.

Course Description: The trail, rated 1, follows streets and sidewalks, suitable for wagons and baby strollers. This year, you have a choice: Map (1) will be the YRE covering all the highlights of Cooperstown and will be the same as previous years. Map (2) YRE is the outer environs of Cooperstown. If this is your first time in Cooperstown, choose Map (1). For those of you who would like a change of scenery, try Map (2). Cooperstown is located at the foot of 9 mile long Otsego Lake in a beautiful setting of hills and forests in mid NY State.

Note! Though you have a choice of routes, this is only one event. If you choose to do both routes, you can receive Distance Credit for both, but only ONE Event Credit.

Revolutionary War buffs may be interested to know that an event in Cooperstown played a role in a significant victory over the British and their Indian allies. Under the orders of George Washington, General James Clinton led a force of 5,000 men to Lake Otsego, an arduous journey that required them to hack a road through the dense forest. The force built a dam at the spot where the lake gives birth to the Susquehanna River, raising the water level four feet. Then, embarked on 200 boats, the troops knocked out the dam and surged downriver on a flood tide to Tioga Point, where they joined a second Revolutionary army and defeated the British, along with chief Joseph Brant and his Iroquois braves. At the foot of River Street today, visitors will find a bronze-and-stone marker at the site, as well as see where the Susquehanna River  begins its 444-mile meander to the Chesapeake Bay.

Starting Point: The Clark Sportscenter is on Susquehanna Ave., Cooperstown NY. Hours of operation: are 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily. The C. of C. is open Sundays in the Summer. Please use the Auxiliary box when the Clark Sportscenter is closed.

Auxiliary Box: Available May through mid-October. Located in the Chamber of Commerce, 31 Chestnut St., Cooperstown.

Hours: YRE's can only be done in daylight hours. The Clark Sportscenter starting point is open 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Monday thru Saturday., and 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday, but is closed Sundays mid-May through September. The Chamber of Commerce starting point is open 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily.

Directions: Cooperstown is locatd in central New York State, 70 miles west of Albany and 30 miles south of the Thruway (I-90). From the west, Thruway (I-90) Exit 30 at Herkimer (Rt 28); From the east, Thruway (I-90) Exit 29 at Canajoharie (Rt 10, 20 & 80). Entering the Village on Rt 80, turn right on Chestnut St. Just past the Chamber of Commerce, turn left on Susquehanna. The Sportscenter is 1 mile on the right. If you are entering from Rt 28, it becomes Chestnut St.

Award:   "A" Award is the city bar for Cooperstown, which attaches to header (club emblem, purchased separately) There are also "B" Awards available from previous events.

Registration: Fees are $4.00 for the header, purchased separately:
$6.00 for "A" Award bar and IVV credit
$5.00 for "B" award and IVV credit
$3.00 for IVV credit
$2.00 non-IVV credit walkers.

Refreshments & Restrooms: Water and restroom facilities are available at the start/finish and along the route. Refreshments may also be purchased from local businesses along the route. Walkers are encouraged to carry water during warm weather.

Smoking is prohibited in public buildings by New York State law. Please observe this ruling.

Acknowledgements: ESCV would like to thank the staff at the Clark Sportscenter and the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce for the use of their facilities and their help. Without them, this event would not be possible. Check at the desk to learn of the various programs offered.

Click here for more information on Cooperstown (Chamber of Commerce).