With its spectacular scenery, Letchworth State Park is one of the most beloved parks in our system. But a crucial part of its story is the power of thinking differently.
Letchworth State Park.
William Pryor Letchworth, the park’s namesake, was deeply interested in epilepsy, traveling the country and the world in the late 1800s to study how it was treated. It’s not unreasonable to imagine that Letchworth would be proud to know that the park bearing his name is now home to a first-of-its-kind nature trail designed to meet the needs of people with an often misunderstood and stigmatized condition: autism.
All are welcome at New York State Parks and Historic Sites, but getting to our facilities isn’t always easy. People who don’t have cars, for example, are often left to navigate transportation barriers that prevent them from accessing outdoor recreation opportunities.
A group of adults and children experience the Maid Of The Mist at Niagara Falls through the Ladders to the Outdoors program.
KeJuan Harmon is actively working to bridge the access gap for kids to discover and experience the wonders of state parks firsthand. In his role as State Parks’ Statewide Ladders to the Outdoors Coordinator, Harmon is giving back to communities in Western and Central New York. As part of the Share Your Story project for our agency’s Centennial, he describes the magic that happens when kids experience the outdoors for the first time.
“One of the most surprising things since I started working with our State Parks is the invisible barrier of Niagara Falls, the amount of kids from within three or four miles of Niagara Falls that have never been.”
We’re thrilled to announce our Share Your Story project, inviting you to share your NY State Parks memories and nostalgia throughout 2024.
Every year, tens of millions of people visit New York State Parks and Historic Sites. Whether it’s an afternoon at a nearby favorite spot, family traditions passed down from generation to generation, or a long-planned vacation, parks and sites are where memories are made. They’re also where many people experience those special “firsts” — a first time canoeing, learning about meaningful state history, ice skating, camping, and so much more.
During our Centennial year, we invite you to share those memories. The Share Your Story project is your chance to reminisce about your experiences at New York State Parks and Historic Sites with your fellow park lovers.
New York State Parks and Historic Sites Blog 