Category Archives: Recreation

2024 Centennial Celebration, Historic Sites, Park History, Recreation, State History

Behind The Scenes of Commissioner Kulleseid’s Barnstorming Centennial Launch Tour

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In 2024, New York State Parks and Historic Sites will celebrate our Centennial, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the founding of our parks and sites system. While we have incredible public properties older than the 100-year-old system, the Centennial celebrates the vital legislation that allowed us to build and expand our network of parks and sites, forging the system we know and love today. 

As OPRHP Commissioner, I am reminded every day of the immense pride and enjoyment New Yorkers take in our facilities. To prepare New York State residents and visitors from around the world for the exciting year ahead, I recently embarked on a two-day journey to showcase the breadth of our parks and sites system, highlighting various activities and partnerships that make our system so unique.  

Watch: OPRHP Centennial Launch Tour Recap Video

During the launch tour, a small group of staff and I made ten stops – at Olana State Historic Site, Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, Harriman State Park, Jones Beach State Park, Old Fort Niagara State Historic Site, Niagara Falls State Park, Ganondagan State Historic Site, Green Lakes State Park and Saratoga Spa State Park – where I enjoyed biking, ziplining, firing a cannon, swimming with lifeguards, kayaking, lighting Niagara Falls for its evening illumination, and more! I was also pleased to have special guests join us all along the way at tour-stop events, and to have the chance to connect with many of our amazing staff members and supporters as well. 

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Family Fun, Fun & Games, Recreation

DISC-over Disc Golf, One of the Fastest-Growing Sports in the U.S.

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A metal basket encircled by rows of hanging chains. Maybe not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about recreation in New York State Parks, but disc golf is a friendly activity that has been offered at our facilities for years. In fact, there are currently 17 state parks in the Empire State that offer disc golf courses, and it’s about time we demystify the sport.

What is Disc Golf?

Also known as Frisbee golf, the rules of the sport are very similar to traditional golf. Play­ers use specially designed discs or frisbees to throw from a tee area with the goal of getting the disc into the disc golf basket in the least amount of throws possible. Score is kept over 18 holes and the person or team with the lowest score wins.

Much like traditional golf, each course offers its own unique set of challenges. The Angry Apple Disc Golf Course at Darien Lakes State Park has players navigate through an old apple orchard. The Blue Course at Lakeside Beach State Park, aka “The Beast” provides panoramic views of Lake Ontario and is meant to test your skill. Throw too far and you may see your disc end up in the Lake.

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Family Fun, Recreation, Transportation

Buffalo’s ‘Parks Adventure Bus’ Returns, Offering Free Transportation and Entry to State Parks

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For many of us, getting to our favorite state park isn’t as easy as packing some snacks and jumping in a vehicle to spend a beautiful day in nature. Transportation to parks located in rural and off the beaten path locations where public transportation doesn’t service can be a challenge. And even if the park is in an urban setting, it may not always be accessible either.

That is why NY State Parks in the Niagara Region are partnering with Erie County, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, and Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) to kick off the second season of the Parks Adventure Bus! The program launched in the summer of 2022, offering riders (1) FREE transportation to and from a number of Buffalo-area parks as well as (2) FREE entry to those parks.

How it works:

On Saturdays from June to early August, NFTA-METRO buses depart from and return to the Metropolitan Transportation Center in Buffalo throughout the day. The Parks Adventure Bus is free and park entry is free to riders. Please arrive 10 minutes to board all buses downtown and at all parks. Bike racks are available, but are first-come, first-served.

To get more information about what to bring and what to know before you go, have a look at our Parks Adventure Bus brochure.

Schedule and Trip Times:

  • June 17: Knox Farm State Park
  • June 24: Chestnut Ridge Park
  • July 1: Reinstein Woods and Como Lake Park (enjoy one or both)
  • July 8: Fort Niagara State Park
  • July 15: Emery County Park
  • July 22: Beaver Island State Park
  • July 29: Akron Falls State Park
  • August 5: Evangola State Park

If any of the days are cancelled due to weather, August 12 is reserved as a make-up day. Two trips in September and one in December are also available. Learn more here.

Buses depart from the Metropolitan Transportation Center at 8:30 AM, 10:15 AM, 11:30 PM, 1:15 PM, and 3:15 PM.

Buses depart from the park destination (to return to the Metropolitan Transportation Center) at 11:10 AM, 12:20 PM, 2:10 PM, 4:05 PM, and 6:00 PM.

PAL Trip Times:

Using the same dates above, Parks Adventure Bus service to and from each park will be provided on PAL for eligible riders.

Reservations are available to arrive at the parks at 9:00 AM, 10:45 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:45 PM, and 3:45 PM.

PAL vehicles depart from park destinations at 11:10 AM, 12:20 PM, 2:10 PM, 4:05 PM, and 6:00 PM.

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