Kick-off the New Year with us! January 1, 2013 will be here before you know it and we've got a great way to celebrate: join us for a First Day Hike! We're gearing up for our second year of hosting First Day Hikes at more than 20 state parks across New York. First Day Hikes are a great way to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and welcome the New Year with friends and family. Choose from treks identifying animal tracks, a seal walk, winter woodlands, an historic walking tour, an evening hike and more! If the weather conditions permit, some First Day Hikes may include snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Visitors can expect to be surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature in winter, experience spectacular views and vistas, and benefit from the company of a knowledgeable guide. State park staff and volunteers will lead these family-friendly hikes, which average one to two miles or longer . Last year was the first time all 50 state park systems joined together to host these hikes. The First Day program was launched nationally to promote both healthy lifestyles throughout the year and year-round recreation at state parks. Details about hike locations, difficulty and length, terrain and tips are available on our website.
Find a First Day Hike near you! |
160 Years of History Unveiled
 A new permanent exhibit,
Unpacked & Rediscovered: Selections from Washington's Headquarters' Collection makes a great reason to visit the nation's very first public historic site. Unveiled on December 1, 2012 at the Museum at Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site in Newburgh, this exhibit features rare, curious and important artifacts not seen by the public for many years.
Displayed in two galleries of  open storage, this selection of amazing objects was amassed over 160 years and represents the very roots of the preservation movement in American history. The site will be open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 10am to 3pm, through the winter months. |
Ten Things to Enjoy this Winter
Don't hibernate- rejuvenate! Winter is a great time of year to explore the outdoors and try your hand at something new. Here are ten ideas to get you started. Photo Gallery
|
|
Historic Holidays
Experience the holidays of yesteryear. From candlelight tours to Victorian décor, many of our historic sites are offering special holiday programming.
For a schedule of events, visit our listing of Holidays at Historic Sites.
Photo: Staatsburgh State Historic Site
|
|
A Message About Hurricane Sandy
Many New York State Parks on Long Island and the Hudson Valley suffered devastating impacts from Hurricane Sandy. Some of the state's busiest and most popular oceanfront parks, including Jones Beach and Robert Moses State Parks, were particularly hard hit. While the damage to parks doesn't compare to lives, homes and businesses lost in the storm, these hard-hit parks are special places for millions of people affected by the storm. We are working hard to get them open and accessible to New Yorkers. Not only were there impacts to the facilities people use and enjoy, such as beaches, boardwalks and picnic groves, but also to the infrastructure that enables the parks to host throngs of visitors, including water and sewer systems and access roads. During this time, we appreciate your patience as we work to restore these facilities.
|
|
Save the Date: Saturday, May 4, 2013
New Yorkers love their parks. Last spring, thousands of volunteers turned out to help maintain the beauty of New York's treasured state parks and historic sites by participating in a volunteer clean-up and stewardship event at one of more than 40 state parks and historic sites as part of the first ever I Love My Park Day, organized in partnership with Parks & Trails New York.
Follow us or visit www.ptny.org for updated information on how to register to volunteer at your favorite state park or historic site on Saturday, May 4, 2013!
|
The NY State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation wishes you & yours a happy,
healthy holiday season.
NYSparks.com |
|
|
|
|
 |
Download our FREE
Park App!
The NY State Parks App includes contact information, directions,
event listings, maps, search features, weather, links to
social networks & more.
Find it on iTunes
 | |
|
|
|
Visit our
web calendar for
hikes, programs,
festivals & more!
|
| | |
|
2013
Empire Passports
now available
The Empire Passport offers
all season enjoyment to
park visitors by providing unlimited vehicle entry to
New York's State parks for
just $65. Enjoy the forests,
the seashore, the lakefronts--
and bring as many friends
as your car holds! The
Passport provides access to
178 state parks, 55 Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) forest preserve areas.
Visit our website for more information or to learn how
to purchase a Passport.
|
| | |
|
Stay Safe on the Trail
this Winter
NY State offers tremendous opportunities for snowmobiling.
But when heading out on the trail, remember to avoid drinking any alcohol whatsoever until the snowmobile is parked for
the day. Zero alcohol is the
only choice to make
snowmobiling safer.
Visit our website
for information on snowmobile education, trail systems,
laws and registration. .
|
|
|
