Celebrating Get Outdoors & Get Together Day

On Saturday, June 8, New York State Parks and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation celebrated Get Outdoors & Get Together Day at 22 locations across the state. This annual event coincides with National Get Outdoors Day and encourages people of all abilities to connect with public lands through outdoor recreation activities such as fishing, nature walks and hikes, birding, archery, camping, and paddling.

Get Outdoors & Get Together day is a partnership with host sites, the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities and the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services to promote inclusivity of access to recreational spaces by bringing people of all abilities, ages, identities, and backgrounds together for a day of fun, healthy activities.

This year, more than 2,000 participants enjoyed the day at a New York State park or historic site! Activities included a magic show, a raptors and reptiles show, dancing, singing, spin art, yard games, and more! Let’s take a look at some of the action.

*The Kokomo Time Band played at Allegany State Park while people sang and danced.*

*People spent time fishing, crafting, playing lawn games, and built 25 birdhouses at Darien Lakes State Park.*

*Buffalo Harbor State Park had a table to create a custom native seed packet.*

*Lake Taghkanic State Park hosted a live raptor and reptile show! Others enjoyed tranquil rock painting, fishing, and hanging out by the barbecue.*

*Visitors learned how to kayak and enjoyed a nature hike at Chenango Valley State Park.*

*Sunken Meadow State Park Get Outdoors and Get Together day participants were entranced in magic through a show and some rad spin art.*

*DEC and State Parks offered opportunities to learn to fish at Hempstead Lake State Park. Rangers also introduced participants to kayaking. Oh, and there were some reptile visitors!*

*Riverbank State Park hosted a basketball tournament and live music featuring performances by Venture House Trio, Movement of Virtues, Michael Night “NY Cowboy,” and Jubar “Impressions.”*

*At Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site, guests listened to live music, posed for a glamorous photoshoot, and met an alpaca!*

This vast system of public land was built for everyone to enjoy. Thank you for coming out. If you missed it, we hope to see you next year to celebrate New York State Parks’ spectacular outdoor spaces. Get Outdoors & Get Together Day takes place on the second Saturday of June every year, so save the date for June 14, 2025!

Meanwhile, take some time to explore the offerings of the 2024 host sites below, so you can start planning your next adventure.

State Parks Hosts

Allegany State Park  (Cattaraugus County)

Chenango Valley State Park  (Broome County)

Taughannock Falls State Park  (Tompkins County)

Darien Lakes State Park  (Genesee County)

Hempstead Lake State Park  together with DEC (Nassau County)

Sunken Meadow State Park  (Suffolk County)

Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park  (New York County)

Buffalo Harbor State Park  (Erie County)

Sterling Forest State Park  (Orange County)

Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site  (Montgomery County)

Lake Taghkanic State Park  (Columbia County)