Page 28 - AAA Every Day – AAA Hudson Valley – July/August 2021

Photo: The Catskill Game Farm
Opened in 1933 by Robert Lindemann, the game farm was originally meant to be a private enclosure with more than two dozen varieties of deer, as
well as donkeys and sheep. This eventually
changed as Lindemann began to shelter thousands of animals, some quite rare and endangered in their natural habitats. The Catskill Game Farm is known as the first privately owned zoo in America, and, in time, it also became the largest.
It didn’t take long to become a popular
destination. In the mid-20th century, the
Catskills were the place to be for winter
and summer vacationing, especially for
the New York tri-state area. It was a tourism hub, home to megaresorts, hundreds of hotels and thousands of cottages. The Catskill Game Farm fit in perfectly as
a great place to bring the little ones and see animals from all over the world. The experience was a unique one, as you were able to feed local species while also visiting more
exotic breeds
like rhinos,
kangaroos
and lions. As
the years went
by, there also
were several
dining options,
amusement
park rides and
shops added to
expand upon what the game farm had to offer its guests.
Unfortunately, the once-booming hospitality industry of the Catskill Mountains dropped off as the Golden Era began to fade by the end of the 1960s. As the vacation sector crashed, many properties were forced
into abandonment. While The Catskill Game Farm once welcomed an average of half a million in a season, it was not immune to the decline of visitors in the rest of the region. By the time it was purchased by Lindemann’s daughter, Kathie Schulz, in 1989, the seasonal guest count was down to about 100,000. In purchasing the family business, it was Schulz’s goal to preserve her father’s legacy and help conserve the land. Despite changing tastes and trends in travel and tourism, the park kept its gates open for several more years. In fact, it was famously the birthplace of April the Giraffe who reached YouTube star status with a viral video after leaving the Catskills.
Ultimately, Schulz decided to close without reselling in October 2006 because of the ever-declining traffic. As many people worried about the fate of the wildlife, activists and picketers tried to buy up several of the
animals at the public auction. Many were purchased and others were relocated with their end destination
unknown. The game farm
was abandoned like several
of the region’s other formerly flourishing attractions. Much of the infrastructure was left intact, including the paved walkways and many animal shelters. As the grounds were quickly falling into disrepair, the property was purchased again in 2012 by Ben and Cathy Ballone with hopes of revitalization.
After obtaining the land, the Ballones reopened to the public in 2014 for self-guided tours as they worked to create a new must-see vacation destination. On-site camping through the app Tentrr and a refurbished inn in the old Giraffe House invited new travelers while paying homage to its old tenant. The property became known as The Old Game Farm. The Long Neck Inn was designed with sustainability in mind, utilizing energy-efficient technology and environmentally friendly products. Guests who stay here have access to explore more than 200 acres and more than 100 buildings of the former zoo.
In late 2020, a group of private investors purchased The Catskill Game Farm with plans to further build upon its revival. Plans include bringing back some animals such as horses, peacocks and other popular farm friends,
as well as expanding upon activities for guests such as archery, biking and miniature golf. While no one can bring back the place that now lives in our fondest memories, one truly hopes for a vacation renaissance for the Catskill Mountains and another Golden Era that includes the updated version of The Catskill Game Farm.
Emily Gnacik is the Editor of AAA Every Day Magazine.
28 I JULY/AUGUST 2021