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Funding for State Park Revitalization Approved
Continuing the
NY Parks 2020 initiative, which is investing $900 million to upgrade and repair
our state parks and historic sites, the 2017-18 State Budget allocates $120
million in capital funding – an increase of $30 million from last year This
funding will aid the ongoing transformation of the state’s parks, historic
sites and support critical infrastructure projects. The Budget also continues
EPF funding at $300 million, the highest level in the history of the state,
which helps support State Parks in numerous ways, including open space
protection, the Connect Kids to Parks school bus transportation grant program,
and assistance to our Friends Groups. Learn more.
 Bring Your Own Bottle
State
Parks and the state Department of Environmental Conservation are partnering to install
23 hydration stations – featuring both a classic bubbler fountain and water
bottle filling fountain – at parks across the state. The new hydration stations will provide
visitors a source of drinking water while reducing single use disposable water
bottle trash, which often leads to aquatic trash. The hydration stations will be installed in
prominent high pedestrian traffic areas in busy parks. Look for the new fountains at the following
parks this year: Jones Beach State Park, Robert Moses State Park and Caumsett
State Park on Long Island; Niagara Falls State Park in Western New York; Bear
Mountain State Park in the Hudson Valley; and Riverbank State Park in New York
City.
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 Get Ready to Explore the Empire State Trail
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s plan to create the 750-mile Empire State Trail was
approved in the 2017-18 State Budget. The state will develop 350 miles of new
trail to complete the Erie Canalway and the Hudson River Valley Greenway trails
to create the largest state multi-use trail in the nation. The statewide pathway
for hiking and biking will help visitors and tourists explore scenic vistas and
charming, historic communities. The Empire State Trail would span from the New
York Harbor up through the Adirondack Mountains to the Canadian border – and
from the shores of Lake Erie along the historic Erie Canal to the heart of the
Capital Region. Read more
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I Love My Park Day
Saturday, May 6th
More than 100 state parks and historic sites are
participating in the sixth annual Parks & Trails NY and New York State
Parks I Love My Park Day on Saturday, May 6. This year’s event also includes
several National Parks in New York State as well as sites in the Adirondacks
and Catskills. Join your friends, family and neighbors and sign up today to
volunteer at your favorite state park or site. From beach clean -ups to trail
restoration and tree and flower plantings, hundreds of events are planned to
spruce up our parks and get them ready for the summer season.
Make a difference at the parks you love, and register today to
volunteer!
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 Welcome New Park Police Officers
State Parks congratulates our 28 Park Police Officers
who recently graduated from the New York State park police training academy.
The new officers are already keeping 69 million annual park visitors safe and protecting
the natural and historic treasures of the park system.
Learn more about the graduates and special award winners.
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 Spring Break
Fun
Spring is here, time to get outside and take advantage of the warmer weather and activities our parks have
to offer.
For birding enthusiasts, Minnewaska State Park will be
hosting a Birding Basics class on Saturday, April 15th. The class is designed for beginners with tips and advice on bird
identification and binocular use. A short walk will follow and those interested
are encouraged to bring their own binoculars. In addition, an Early Morning
Birders class is scheduled for Tuesday, April 18th.
As the flowers begin to bloom, join the Humphrey Nature
Center at Letchworth State Park for its weekly wildflower walks. Visitors will
enjoy a walk around the nature center and explore some of the changing spring
flowers as they come into bloom. The walks are scheduled for Sundays at 1:00pm.
A featured walk will take place on Thursday, April 20th, with a
focus on Fiddleheads.
Interested in hiking this spring break? Moreau Lake State Park will feature a variety
of hikes with varying terrain and difficulties throughout the week (April 15,
20, 21, 22, 23). These include nature trails around Lake Bonita and Mud Pond as
well as steeper portions along the Western Ridge and Overlook.
For more information on the programs mentioned above as well
as additional events, please visit our calendar
of events.
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 Behind
the Scenery
How
long have you been with the agency? 12 years
What
does someone in your position do? I lead
a team of employees that operate the park with its 264 campsites, four sandy beaches,
five picnic shelters, as well as the six miles of hiking and biking trails
which are also used seasonally for snowmobiling, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. I also oversee several other state owned
properties, work as a liaison between other state and local governments, and our
local friends group.
What’s
the coolest thing you’ve ever seen or done? Being able to host our Salute to America event for July 4th
weekend here at Hamlin Beach; where thousands of families line our beaches and
picnic areas to watch our fireworks display over Lake Ontario.
Is
there a destination in the park/region you’d recommend to someone? Area
3 at Hamlin Beach, it has two fantastic sandy swimming beaches, a playground,
horse shoe pits, picnic area, shelter, and access to our walking/biking beach
boardwalk. Sitting on one of the brand new benches in front of our newly
renovated bathhouse is one of my favorite places to watch our park patrons
relax and enjoy themselves.
What
inspired you to work in the park system? I completed an internship at Chenango Valley
State Park, while working on my degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies and
Recreation Management from SUNY Cortland. That internship turned into a
seasonal job and I was addicted to Parks.
I have a passion for wanting to help make New York State Parks better
for future generations and a desire to assist members of our Parks family grow
to their desired potential.
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