Lakefront Improvements Cap Transformation of Green Lakes State Park
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced a new
environmental education center will be part of the next phase of a $16.9
million transformation of Central New York’s most-visited State Park.
This fall, New York State Parks will convert a
deteriorated 1940s boat house on Green Lake into an environmental education
center and related improvements. The historic boathouse will be moved back from
the water’s edge, where it is exposed to flooding, and renovated. The new
center will include new indoor classroom/multipurpose space, kitchenette and
restrooms as well as an outdoor classroom, lakefront boardwalk and canoe/kayak landing,
new boat rental booth and storage racks, and a fishing pier.
In conjunction with the education center, State
Parks will undertake work to improve the park ecosystem, including restoring
the lake edge, redirecting storm water away from the lake; upgrading electric
systems; and rehabilitating the deteriorated parking areas with green elements.
Several other major improvements to Green Lakes
State Park have been completed in time for the summer season, including
renovation of the golf course clubhouse, Pine Woods Campground, and park
entrance. Read more.
Hallock
State Park Preserve Opens on Long Island’s North Fork
New York State Parks recently held the grand opening of new $4.5
million visitor facilities at Hallock State Park Preserve in Suffolk County.
The new facilities provide public access to the 225-acre park on the North Fork
of Long Island for the first time since the park was acquired by the state in
2003. Hallock State Park features one mile of pristine, undeveloped beach on
Long Island Sound as well as woodland trails,. scenic bluffs, hoodoos and
Hallock Pond. The project, funded by Governor Cuomo's NY Parks 2020 initiative, helped
construct a new 3,000-square-foot visitor center, two new parking areas and new
trails. Read more
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 Nearly 3,000
Children Learning to Swim for Free at State Parks this Summer
New York State Parks’ annual free
Learn-to-Swim program is helping approximately 3,000 children be safe and have
fun in the water this summer. Now in its fifth year, the Learn-to-Swim program
is offered through a partnership among State Parks, the Department of Health;
the American Red Cross; the National Swimming Pool Foundation and the Master
Pools Guild; and the Northeast Spa and Pool Association Foundation.
Hundreds of individual classes are
being taught for all ages and levels – varying from swim lessons to water
safety presentations at 27 locations across the state. These will build on the
instruction already offered at state park facilities as part of programs
arranged by summer camps, municipalities and other partner organizations.
Programs are free and
pre-registration is required, but slots fill up quickly. For more information visit: parks.ny.gov
The Learn-to-Swim program expands
the state's commitment to serving more youth at State Parks. Read more.
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 Book a Finger Lakes Vacation at the
Cottages at Sampson
Beautifully appointed new waterfront cottages were unveiled on the
shores of Seneca Lake at Sampson State Park. The $2.9 million project created
10 contemporary one- and two-bedroom cottages with a kitchenette, bathroom,
covered outdoor deck, and comfortable furnishings and lighting. The cottages
rest on a slope overlooking Seneca Lake, near the Seneca Lake Wine Trail.
State Parks will host an open
house August 1 from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. for the community. The Cottages at Sampson will be
available for rent beginning at 9 a.m., Wednesday August 2. Weeklong
reservations are required through Labor Day and will be taken at the Sampson
Park Office or can be made by calling 315-585-6392. Cottages will be available
from May - October each year.
Encompassing just over 2000 acres
on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake, Sampson State Park features camping and
boating as the primary recreational activities. The marina has just over 100 boat
slips and a large multiple launch site. Activities include tennis, horseshoes,
basketball and volleyball, a sandy swimming beach, playgrounds, and a scenic
lake trail. Read more
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 Community Celebrates Renovation of
Historic Fillmore Glen Pavilion
State Parks
Commissioner Rose Harvey visited Fillmore Glen State Park in Cayuga County to
celebrate the renewal of the park’s historic 1930 main pavilion. The pavilion
anchors the park’s swimming area, gorge trail, picnic ground and replica
President Millard Fillmore boyhood cabin. As the site of countess summer camps,
wedding receptions, family reunions and other gatherings, the pavilion is an
important community center for the village of Moravia. Exterior improvements to
the pavilion included replacing the roof, repairing windows, upgrading its
siding while the interior restrooms, multipurpose room and lifeguard station
were totally renovated. Read more.
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 Behind The Scenery: Jim Novak, Maintenance Supervisor
How long have you
been with the agency? I have 20 years of service with the State.
What does someone in
your position do? I work out of the
SPIF Office (State Parks Infrastructure Fund) and I oversee over 60
employees. Our crews are split up on
each job by trade: Carpenters, Electricians, Plumbers, Masons, Painters,
Laborers and Heavy Equipment Crew. I
also run a tree crew for the Long Island Region. I work closely with the Engineering
Department on Long Island and the Albany Office collaborating and planning for
all upcoming projects.
What’s the coolest
thing on the job you’ve ever seen or done?
After Hurricane Irene and Super Storm Sandy devastated our shoreline
communities, SPIF, along with outside contractors, we were able to reconstruct
and rebuild the areas and parks to get them up and running quickly for the
public to enjoy.
Is there a
destination in the park/region you’d recommend to someone? Long Island has some of the most pristine,
sandy beaches along the south shore; Heckscher, Robert Moses, Jones Beach, along
with fantastic fishing, great campsites, and clear biking and walking
trails. Bethpage State Park has one of
the best and now iconic golf courses on Long Island.
What inspired you to
work in the parks system? I was self-employed for over 20 years. I then decided I needed benefits and a
retirement plan. After joining the Park
family, I realized there were more benefits than I ever expected. My coworkers and all the State workers I have
had the pleasure of working with are some of the best people I know.
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 Volunteers &
Partners Improving Our Parks
Little Free Libraries
Volunteers complete hundreds of projects at our parks to
help keep them beautiful and ensure a good experience for all visitors. Many of
the projects provide exciting new amenities. A unique partnership with the
community at Max V. Shaul
State Park resulted in the installation of Little Free Library in the park.
The book exchange box houses a small library of books that can be borrowed and
shared free-of-charge among park patrons and campers. A ribbon-cutting for the
little library was held at the park on I Love My Park Day.
The library was built and installed by the West Fulton Arts
Council, part of an initiative in the Town of Fulton where local artist Neil Driscoll introduced three Little
Free libraries thanks to a generous Community Arts Grant awarded by Greene
County Council on the Arts. Inspired by the national movement of Little Free
Library—a nonprofit organization that promotes love of reading, builds
community, and sparks creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges—each
library will stock a range of books from children's classics to adult fiction
and bear the same simple message: "Take a book. Leave a book."
Do you have an innovative idea to improve your favorite
state park or historic site? Learn more
about I Love My Park Day, Friends Group activities and other volunteer opportunities at parks.ny.gov.
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