By Mary Ellen “Mel” Chesbro
Oswego County’s tourism encompasses destinations for all four seasons. Whether it is salmon fishing in the spring, baseball tournaments and ATVs in the summer, hunting in the fall or snowmobiling in the winter and multiple historical museums open all year which entices thousands of tourists to choose Oswego County over and over again.
While the Oswego County Legislature’s main mission is to be the financial stewards and policy makers for our residents, it is also very cognizant of the importance of the county’s quality of life. Tourism directly impacts both goals because it is an economical and environmental powerhouse for our county. Not only does it provide activities to draw tourists to visit here but it provides important amenities for Oswego County residents to enjoy. Tourism also provides opportunities for businesses to open and grow as it brings awareness to the importance of protecting our environment.
Every year the legislature approves funding and assistance to tourism entities such as Legends Field, Dr. Mary Walker, Camp Hollis, Camp Zerbe and snowmobile clubs to name just a few. The legislature also works closely with Operation Oswego County/IDA to bring in new businesses to address the tourism trade.
Oswego County is home to the State Historical Fort Ontario, as well as several other museums that boast of our rich history. But it is the future that is ringing the bell for potential tourists to visit our county right now.
The recent announcement that Oswego was chosen to be home to the 16th Marine Sanctuary means we now have a national park akin to Yellowstone right here in Oswego County along the shores of Lake Ontario.
This was the product of 10 years of meetings and justification that finally won the hearts of Congress and the selection committee.
So yes, Oswego tourism is alive and well, bursting at the seams and growing in leaps and bounds!
Mary Ellen “Mel” Chesbro is Oswego County legislator and chairwoman of Promotion and Tourism, Planning and Community Development, Housing, Public Information, Mobility Management and Workforce Development.
