All posts by New York State Parks

history, Park Projects, Recreation, Uncategorized

Iconic East Bathhouse Project Brings Past and Present Together at Jones Beach

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A day spent at the beach or by the pool in the summer is a core Long Island experience. There’s nothing better than a dip in the water to cool off from the heat, and a trip to Jones Beach State Park has it all: sun, sand and, soon, a new safe place to have fun in the water!

In summer of 2026, the iconic 1930 Jones Beach East Bathhouse will be reimagined for a new generation to enjoy. As part of Governor Hochul’s NY SWIMS Initiative to expand access to safe swimming in New York, a $100 million investment was secured for the revitalization. State Parks is overseeing the project in collaboration with the Office of General Services, and construction is currently underway.

Parks Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons and Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy give an update on construction at the Jones Beach East Bathhouse. The project is under budget, ahead of schedule and slated to be completed in 2026.
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Family Fun, Recreation

Hungry for New York? Discover Dishes and Destinations That Satisfy

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New York is a state of great eats. Some of the regional delicacies born here have conquered the world, like Buffalo’s wings and Saratoga’s potato chips. Others, like Utica’s tomato pie and Plattsburgh’s Michigans, remain fiercely local treasures. But they all pair magnificently with a state park or historic site!

Follow along as our team plays sommelier with the Empire State’s distinctive dishes — and our agency’s unforgettable destinations. Pack your bags and bring your appetite!

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Park Personnel, safety

How to Break the Grip of the Rip (Current)

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For millions, summer on Long Island means time spent in the sun, the sand and the sea. Iconic Jones Beach State Park drew 9.5 million visitors to its expansive sandy shores in 2024, followed by Robert Moses, boasting 3.9 million visitors. After visitors have slathered on the sunscreen, secured their valuables and anchored their umbrellas, what are they thinking about in terms of beach safety?

While sharks might immediately come to mind, lifeguards and park staff use equipment, constant communication, and a trained eye to watch for marine life activity and keep beachgoers safe. Knowing that water hazards like rip currents, however, pose more significant risks to swimmers than sharks, our staff set out to spread the word on how to manage these lesser-known acts of nature.

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Cool Science, Flora & Fauna, Park Projects, Research

Dark Skies for Fireflies: Searching for New York’s Rare Nighttime Wonders   

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Most people have heard about insect declines, with recent headlines like “The Insect Apocalypse Is Here” and “The Great Insect Decline: Why Scientists Are Sounding the Alarm.” Bumble bees and butterflies are the best-known examples of declining groups, but there is a growing body of evidence documenting downward trends in other insects. Fireflies, famous for their impressive lightshows in the eastern US, are one such group.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the global authority on the status of the natural world. It collates data and classifies the extinction risk of species as Not Evaluated, Data Deficient, Least Concern, Near Threatened, Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered, Extinct in the Wild, or Extinct. In 2021, the IUCN Red List Firefly Specialist Group assessed the extinction risk of North American fireflies.

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2025 Ryder Cup, Fun & Games, Park Personnel, Recreation

Time to Tee it Up: Sunken Meadow, James Baird and Dinsmore Golf Courses

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Our state golf courses host thousands of rounds each year. Everyone who puts a peg in the ground has a story to tell about themselves, their round, why they chose that club and that ball, or why they showed up to that course on that day. And what keeps them coming back.

With the Ryder Cup coming up at Bethpage State Park in September, we wanted to share stories we discovered during a recent visit to three other lesser-known but phenomenal courses — one in our Long Island Region and two others that are Hudson Valley staples. We hope you’ll pay a visit to these this year or find a favorite among the 19 in our state park system. Tee it high and let it fly – or tee it low and watch it go. Either way, we’ll see you out there!

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