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 Many Thanks to our 7,500 Volunteers!
Dear I Love My Park Day Volunteer:
On Saturday, May 7th, a record number of you turned out to participate in volunteer projects at New York State parks and historic sites across the state as part of the fifth annual I Love My Park Day, a partnership between New York State Parks and Parks & Trails New York. On behalf of Governor Cuomo, I extend a huge, heartfelt thank you for your amazing efforts. Read more.
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 Major Improvements Unveiled at Jones Beach State Park
Governor Cuomo kicked off the summer season at Jones Beach, where he unveiled more than $36 million in park improvements, including new Taste NY vendors; welcomed the annual Memorial Day weekend Jones Beach Air Show; and announced the return of the Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular. The events and improvements are part of the Governor's $65 million commitment to restore Jones Beach State Park’s historic grandeur, attract new visitors and create new recreational facilities. Read more.
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 Memorial Day: Kick off the summer at New York State Parks!
This weekend is the unofficial start of summer and perfect time to explore state parks.
Letchworth’s 14th Annual Red, White & Blue Balloon Rally May 27-30th, kicks off as 30 vibrant hot air balloons launch fill the sky with color. Another sky high event is the 2016 Bethpage Air Show! Celebrate those who have served our country at Jones Beach May 28 & 29th. Prepare to experience a unique display as military and civilian jets scissor, spin, and dive through the sky.
Want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the holiday weekend? On May 28th, Schuyler Mansion is hosting a Farm Day with music, live animal exhibits, gardening demos, pony rides and much more.
And don’t forget to honor the sacrifices of men and women who we remember on Memorial Day. Sackets Harbor Battlefield, Grafton Lakes, Letchworth State Park, and Stony Point Battlefield are just a few of our sites observing the special day with a variety of events. Check out the full lineup of events and activities on our calendar.
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 Watkins Glen Gorge Trail Now Open
The official
opening of the Watkins Glen Gorge Trail was
celebrated on May 25th with the unfurling of a U.S. flag. Members of the Finger Lakes Region Scaling Team rappelled down
a 180-foot gorge wall at the main entrance of the park to hang the flag kicking off the 2016 season.
Every
spring, these teams of trained “scalers” are responsible for preparing over
five miles of trails in the six gorge parks in the Finger Lakes Region. The work requires teams to
rappel, repeatedly, down the walls of the gorges to remove any loose rock,
overhanging trees or debris on key sections of the trail.
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 Learn to Swim at New York State Parks
From
pristine lakes to Olympic-size swimming pools, state parks abound with
opportunities to swim in the summer months. Swimming is a fun and active
way to experience our parks. Starting in July, dozens of state parks
across New York will offer free swimming lessons through the Learn-to-Swim
program. Visit our website for schedule and
enrollment information.
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 Prospect Park’s New Herd
Prospect Park is welcoming eight new employees – and they’re
goats. The goats were hired by the Prospect Park Alliance to spend the summer clearing
invasive plants by grazing and helping repair the area that was damaged by
recent storms.
The steep, wooded area would be challenging for park staff, but
poses no problems for the Nubian, Angora, and Pygmy breeds who are expert
climbers. The goats hail from Green Goats in Rhinebeck which specializes in
using goats for landscape restoration.
State Parks is helping the Alliance restore this area
of the Park through a $725,000 grant from the National Park Service to not
only fund woodland restoration work, but also historic preservation work in
this landscape. Read more.
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 Fourth Graders Visit State Parks for Free in 2016
Follow 3 easy steps to get your Every-Kid-in-a-Park pass:
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Visit Every-Kid-in-a-Park
- Complete a brief activity to print your pass
- Show your pass every time you enter a park and you, your family and friends all enter for free!
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 New Patrol Boats for NY Waters
The governor recently announced that nine new patrol boats have been assigned to state
and local police agencies to assist with safe boating efforts across the
state. These new vessels will help keep New York's waterways safe, while
improving security for all boat operators and passengers this season. Recreational
boaters are reminded to do their part by taking a few simple– including wearing
a life jacket and taking a boating safety class – to ensure a trip stays fun
from beginning to end. Read more.
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 Behind the Scenery: Peyton Taylor, Thousand Islands
Regional Director
How
long have you been with the agency? Since December
2015.
What
does someone in your position do? As Regional
Director, I oversee park operations for the Thousand Islands Region of NY State Parks. I work with park managers to ensure that
they have the support and resources they need to serve our visitors to the best
of their ability, and to protect our treasured natural resources.
What’s
the coolest thing you’ve ever done? Moving to the
Thousand Islands from Maryland!
Is
there a destination in the region you’d recommend to someone? Selecting one place in TI is hard, but forced to pick,
I’d say If you come to the Thousand Islands, don’t miss the Rock Island
Lighthouse!
What
inspired you to work in the park system? I’ve been
working in state parks since I was in college. I love being part of protecting
important natural resources, and also creating opportunities for families to
come and make lifelong memories. I can’t imagine doing anything else.
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 The 2016 Camping Guide is Here
The popular listing
features descriptions of the 119 state campgrounds offering tent sites, full
hook-up, cabins, yurts, cottages and more! Newly re-designed this year,
the user-friendly guide now includes icons for amenities and activities at each
facility. Use it to plan your next overnight adventure. Check it out
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 Camping & Golf Gift
Cards Available Online!
Ordering the perfect
present is easier than ever. Now
available online, the New York State
Parks Gift Cards are the perfect way to say you care for people who love the
outdoors. The gift card can be used at
state parks campgrounds and many state golf courses. With
graduation season underway and Father’s Day approaching, be sure to order these
popular gifts today! Order now
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