‘It’s a memory for them’: Ohiopyle recognized in national reader’s choice poll
Mark Hofmann/For the Observer-Reporter
The small borough of Ohiopyle, which most associate with the sprawling state park that bears its name, was in the national spotlight on Wednesday.
The borough, with a year-round population in the double digits, was named “Best Small Town in the Northeast” by USA Today readers.
“Thousands and thousands of people voted for Ohiopyle, but they did it because it’s a memory for them, it was significant when they visited here and that’s because of all of you and what you do every single day,” said Ann Nemanic, executive director of the tourism agency Go Laurel Highlands, told those gathered Wednesday for the official announcement.
A panel of experts and USA Today’s 10Best editors selected the borough as a Reader’s Choice Award nominee, and a month of reader voting followed. The borough beat out 19.
“We, as residents of Ohiopyle Borough, do appreciate the special quality of this town,” said Mayor Mark McCarty. “It’s an honor that this special community be recognized by the very visitors who share our passion for this unique place.”
The borough is home to Ohiopyle State Park, which brings in over 1.5 million people annually to take part in hiking and biking trails, whitewater rafting, natural waterslides, and nearby attractions like Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob.
“I can’t think of a better place in Pennsylvania and certainly a better place in the United States to be honored in this way,” said Nathan Reigner, director of the state Office of Outdoor Recreation.
But, he said, the opportunities for outdoor recreation is just one part of what makes Ohiopyle so special.
“At the end of the day when you come back to town, you have an ice cream, you have a cheeseburger, when you have a local beer and can visit a local shop. This is when the outdoor recreation experience becomes complete,” Reigner said. “So investments in our Main Streets in Pennsylvania are just as important as our investment in outdoor recreation resources.”
Commissioner Dave Lohr, who’s spent a lot of time in Ohiopyle hunting and fishing, also praised the many small businesses in the borough.
“(I)f it were not for you, this wouldn’t exist,” Lohr said. “No place, I believe, in this country, can match what we have here.”