The Centennial celebration of 2024 was a tough act to follow! We launched the second century of Parks and Historic Sites by meeting the moment and building towards the future, and even welcoming the entire golfing world to Bethpage State Park for the Ryder Cup. Let’s take a look back at the year that was!
As a New York State Park Ranger, every day is different. You can never be quite sure what you may encounter, or who you may cross paths with, but each day offers an opportunity to make an impact on the experience that visitors have when coming to enjoy New York State Parks. Below are some of the many stories from Park Rangers across the state about their experience working in parks this summer, in their own words!
Continue reading Park Rangers Share Tales from the FieldOn Saturday, May 3, there was a warmth in New York that no rains could dampen.
I Love My Park Day returned for its fourteenth year. Across hundreds of historic sites, state parks, rail trails and public lands, thousands of volunteers turned out to help us prepare for the summer. They came as families, they came in groups small and large, they came alone, but they left as a part of a bigger whole, coming together for their communities.
Continue reading I Love My Park Day 2025: A Day Of Wellness and GratitudeIt wouldn’t be the end of the summer season without a trip to The Great New York State Fair! From live concerts and a trip on a ferris wheel, to twenty-five cent milk at the Dairy Barn and the sand sculpture, the State Fair is full of family-friendly experiences. And this year will be extra special for State Parks!
Did you know that New York’s smallest state park can be found within the State Fair? It’s true! You can find the State Park at the Fair right behind Chevy Court on Niagara Street, where we have a Visitor Center, gift shop, mini-golf course, reflecting pool, and many unique attractions that give you a taste for all we do at State Parks. You’ll have the opportunity to meet environmental educators, costumed historical interpreters, State Park Police and Park Rangers, as well as learn about marine safety, snowmobiling, and the popular Hawke Creek Rehabilitation Center Birds of Prey show. But that’s not all.
In honor of our Centennial, we’re commemorating Thursday, August 22 as State Parks Day at the Fair by waiving admission for fairgoers who present one of the following passes at the entrance that day: Empire Pass, Access Pass, Lifetime Liberty Pass, and Golden Park Program (people 65 years old and older are admitted free every day of the Fair). We’ll also have a staff videographer on-hand that day to help film your stories for the Share Your Story project that you can learn more about below!
Can’t make it for State Parks Day? Here’s a quick peek at how you can celebrate with us from Wednesday, August 21 through Monday, September 2.
Continue reading We’ll See You Out There… at the State Fair!
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