President of Rocking Horse Ranch Resort & Splash Down Beach Water Park to contribute to regional economic development efforts
NEW WINDSOR, N.Y. (June 23, 2014) — Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. (HVEDC) announced today that Steven Turk, president of Turk Hospitality Group which owns and operates the Rocking Horse Ranch Resort in Highland and the Splash Down Beach Water Park in Fishkill, has joined its board of directors.
Turk is a hospitality guru who has invested heavily in the Hudson Valley over the course of his career. The Rocking Horse Ranch Resort has become a favorite of both locals and visitors to the region, and well-known travel web site TripAdvisor recently named it one of the Top 10 Hotels for Families in the United States. Turk will now join the more than 40 industry leaders now serving on the board of HVEDC.
“It is an honor to welcome Steve to our board, as he brings a wealth of hospitality industry knowledge, which – at a minimum – we can apply to expanding HVEDC’s successful Hudson Valley Food & Beverage Alliance initiative,” said Laurence P. Gottlieb, president and CEO of HVEDC. “For many years, the Rocking Horse Ranch Resort has been a mainstay in the Hudson Valley, providing millions of families from around the world with priceless memories. Steve’s entrepreneurial spirit and first-hand knowledge of how to grow a successful business will make a great addition to our board of directors.”
Rocking Horse Ranch is an all-inclusive resort with a wide range of activities for families, including horseback riding, Big Splash Indoor Water Park, outdoor watersports, a spa, entertainment venues, children’s programs and, in the colder months, a Winter Fun Park. Splash Down Beach Water Park offers summer fun for families featuring numerous slides, rides and attractions and is the only licensed Bob the Builder water park in America.
Turk is now continuing efforts to expand tourism in the region with the planned Wildberry Lodge indoor and outdoor resort in New Paltz. The proposed $75 million project would include 250 hotel rooms, a 65,000-square-foot indoor water park, two restaurants, rock climbing, a conference center, bowling and an outdoor zip line, among other activities and amenities.
“I am very pleased to have the opportunity to join HVEDC’s board of directors and work alongside some of our region’s most successful and talented business professionals,” said Turk. “By working together, we can ensure a brighter economic future for the entire Hudson Valley. I look forward to beginning my work with this outstanding organization.”
For more information on the Rocking Horse Ranch Resort & Splash Down Beach Water Park, go to http://www.rockinghorseranch.com and http://www.splashdownbeach.com/.
About Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC): HVEDC is the leading economic development agency for the seven-county region of Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Orange, Ulster and Sullivan counties. The public-private partnership markets the region as a prime business location to corporate executives, site selection consultants and real estate brokers. HVEDC helped start the organizational, branding and promotional effort for NY BioHud Valley, Hudson Valley 3D Printing and the Hudson Valley Food & Beverage Alliance. To learn more, call 845-220-2244 or visit http://www.hvedc.com.
