What a year we’ve had! From kicking off our Centennial in the outdoors with First Day Hikes, to lighting up New York on the official anniversary in April, to birthday bashes hosted at state parks and historic sites all summer long, it’s certainly been a year to remember. Visitors from near and far joined in on the festivities and participated in the different activities to help us celebrate.
Take a look at our year-in-review video that recaps all the fun we’ve had this year.
Still want to celebrate with us? Here’s a more in-depth look back at all the excitement we’ve had with you by our sides.
First Day Hikes
What better way to launch our Centennial year than in the outdoors? Thousands of visitors flocked to state parks and historic sites throughout the Empire State on January 1, 2024 to celebrate the new year.
April Anniversary
We honored the 100th anniversary of the signing of the State Park Act into law on April 18, 2024 with flag raisings and illuminations at our state parks and historic sites throughout the system.
Birthday Bashes Across The State
From January to December, teams at state parks and historic sites hosted one-of-a-kind Centennial events, inviting visitors to help us celebrate in unique ways.
New York State Fair With Centennial Flair
We took The Great New York State Fair by storm in late August, bringing the Centennial to life at the State Park at the Fair for all to enjoy and experience. We were also honored to have the famous State Fair sand sculpture dedicated to the Centennial!
Blazing a Trail: A History of State Parks And Historic Sites
We reflected on our past and told our whole story, honoring the many people who contributed to our history. The Blazing a Trail interactive digital timeline shares the pivotal moments in our agency’s history that have shaped who we are today.
Centennial Challenge Accepted!
Hundreds of you participated in the Centennial Challenge and got out there to our state parks and historic sites to complete fun and engaging missions. From snapping selfies with Park Rangers to taking a safe riding snowmobile course, you learned all about what our agency has to offer.
Sharing Your Stories
We received hundreds of stories and memories from our visitors throughout the year, reminiscing about special moments, creating new traditions, and experiencing all the wonders of the outdoors. We also talked with our dedicated staff, who shared landmark moments from their careers.
‘From Land to Legacy’ Documentary
Capital region PBS affiliate WMHT highlighted our Centennial in a big way this year, producing an hour-long documentary on the evolution of our system over the last 100 years. Available online and in select regions of the state, the film is a look behind the scenes into how our system came to be.
To go a step further, make your own Parks Promise! We’re collecting promises from our visitors as to how you will help us ensure we’re here for the next 100 years. From volunteering at I Love My Park Day, to applying to the Park Police Academy, to inviting a friend to discover a new state park or historic site, this system was built for you.
Thank you for being part of our history and our future! We’ll see you out there!
— Written by Madeline Gionet, Director of Marketing
New York State Parks and Historic Sites Blog 