DEC Adirondack Outdoor Recreation Bulletin - April 9, 2020
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 04/09/2020 06:04 PM EDTDEC Delivers - Information to keep you connected and informed from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation |
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DEC Adirondack Outdoor Recreation Bulletin
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DEC Encourages Responsible Recreation During the COVID-19 Public Health CrisisDEC and Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) are encouraging New Yorkers to engage in responsible recreation during the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis. DEC and State Parks recommendations incorporate guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the New York State Department of Health for reducing the spread of infectious diseases and encourage New Yorkers to recreate locally, practice physical distancing, and use common sense to protect themselves and others. In addition, DEC and State Parks launched a new hashtag - #RecreateLocal - and encourages New Yorkers to get outside and discover open spaces and parks close to home. Getting outdoors to walk, jog, hike, ride a bicycle, fish, or visit a park or state lands is a healthy way to stay active, spend time with immediate household family members, and reduce stress and anxiety when practicing social distancing. While indoor spaces and restrooms at State Parks and DEC's public facilities may be closed out of an abundance of caution to prevent community spread of COVID-19, many parks, grounds, forests, and trails are open during daylight hours, seven days a week. State parks, lands, forests, and facilities are monitored by park police, forest rangers, environmental conservation police officers (ECOs) and other staff. These parks, lands, forests, and facilities and visitors will incorporate physical distancing to limit potential spread of COVID-19. In addition, these officers and staff respond to, and assist, local agencies with search and rescue missions, wildfire suppression, and more. Following this guidance (PDF) will prevent unnecessary burdens on, and dangers to, State resources and frontline emergency first responders during the ongoing COVID-19 response. For the safety of all visitors and to reduce the community spread of COVID-19, DEC and State Parks are undertaking steps to reduce public density:
Adirondack Rock Climbing Route ClosuresDEC has closed certain rock climbing routes in the Adirondacks to protect nesting peregrine falcons. Status of rock climbing routes:
Once peregrine nest sites are determined, climbing routes that will not disturb nesting will be reopened. We anticipate reopening by the beginning of May although in some years it has taken longer to confirm nesting. Routes that remain closed will reopen after the young have fledged. Thank you for your cooperation. For more information please contact the Bureau of Wildlife at (518) 623-1240. CampgroundsAll state-operated campgrounds, cabins, and cottages are closed to overnight visitation through April 30. All visitors with reservations will be issued a full refund. We ask for your patience as refunds are processed. New York State has also suspended all new camping, cabin and cottage reservations for the 2020 season until further notice. We are assessing campground status on a daily basis. If you've made a reservation for the season beginning May 1, and we determine your campground is safe to open, your reservation will be honored. However, visitors who wish to cancel an existing reservation may do so and receive a full refund. Thank you for your patience as we work to protect the safety of our visitors and staff. Trailhead RegistersTrailhead registers provide vital information, so please continue to sign in and out. During the COVID-19 public health crisis, special precautions should be taken while using trailhead registers to minimize spread of the virus through commonly touched surfaces, such as pencils and the registers themselves. Follow these guidelines when using trailhead registers to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
General Conditions
#RecreateLocalWhat’s in your backyard? You might be surprised to discover how much wildlife passes by your window when you’re not looking. It’s not just birds and squirrels, either. Many small mammals pass by our homes undetected – animals such as fox, raccoons, possums, skunks and even, on occasion, larger mammals like deer and bear. While you’re staying home responsibly social distancing, take advantage of this time to look out the window for watchable wildlife. DEC’s watchable wildlife page provides great tips for bird and animal watching that can apply to your own backyard as well. When you see something cool, keep your distance, snap a picture and share it with us via watchable@dec.ny.gov. |