2024 Centennial Celebration, Research, Stewardship

By The Numbers: NY State Parks and Historic Sites  

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Gather ‘round, New Yorkers. The New York State Park and Historic Site system’s Centennial Celebration is underway, and we want to make sure visitors near and far understand: this system was built for you.

When most people think of “NY State Parks,” they likely think of hiking trails, summer swimming and cookouts, or fall and winter staples like leaf peeping and cross-country skiing. But our park and historic site system encompasses so much more. Through the fun statistics below, learn about the impact our parks have on communities, the environmental progress we’re making, and fun factoids State Parks facilities are hiding in plain sight.

Your Parks and Historic Sites 

250: properties we have throughout New York State. That includes not only parks and historic sites, but trails, campgrounds, golf courses, and beaches, too. There’s always more to discover. Find one near you at parks.ny.gov. 

54: State Parks with beaches. From the oceanfront vistas at Jones Beach, Sunken Meadows and other Long Island parks, to the endless expanses of the Great Lakes beaches like Southwick and Evangola, to the friendly feel of smaller beaches like Delta Lake, our parks are the perfect place to enjoy the surf and sand! 

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Hiking, Recreation, Winter Activities

Eight Tips For a Safe Winter Hiking Adventure

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New York State is full of incredible trails and activities, and winter is an exciting time to get outside and explore. New views appear when the leaves fall from the trees. The comings and goings of animals are revealed in the snow and mud. Nothing compares to hiking after a snowfall. And the Centennial Challenge winter missions will whet your appetite for an adventure at our parks.

A winter group hike at Saratoga Spa State Park.

Before you discover winter’s grandeur, it’s always important to go out prepared for the season’s conditions. Follow the following tips for a safe time on the trails this winter.

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Cool Science, Flora & Fauna, Stewardship

Reflect, Adapt, Evolve: Tackling New York’s Invasive Species Together

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Saratoga Spa State Park is remarkable not only for its heralded mineral springs, but also for its architecture and historic theater. Now known as the Spa Little Theater, the space was originally designed for the scientists who studied the surrounding mineral springs to share their findings.

In September, the Spa Little Theater and nearby buildings and grounds were once again a place of scientific knowledge sharing, hosting the 2023 New York State Invasive Species Expo that brought land managers, researchers, and the public together for an immersive three-day interactive learning experience and conference.  

Around 600 people attended the highly interactive 2023 Invasive Species Expo held at Saratoga Spa State Park.
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Historic Sites, history, State History

Commemorating the Canandaigua Treaty at Ganondagan State Historic Site

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The Canandaigua Treaty Day Celebration is held annually in Canandaigua, New York, to polish the chain of friendship between the United States and the Six Nations, and to honor the sovereignty of the Haudenosaunee (hoh-DEE-noh-SHoh-nee) Confederacy. The Six Nations consist of the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora, who originally and currently live in Northeast North America and Upstate New York. 

Ganondagan State Historic Site is home to the Seneca Art & Culture Center, which features stories of Haudenosaunee contributions to art, culture and society, and the Bark Longhouse, a replica of a 1600s Seneca family’s dwelling as well colonial trades and goods. Self-guided hiking trails, including a tree tour and medicine walk, are available year-round, dawn to dusk, weather-permitting. 

Michael Oberg, Distinguished Professor of History, SUNY Geneseo, gives a presentation at Ganondagan State Historic Site.

Co-created in 1794 by the young United States and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (an alliance of Six Nations), the Canandaigua Treaty was a binding, solemn agreement that defined mutual obligations between the independent nations. It set out to affirm land rights to the Haudenosaunee and established the promise of friendship between all parties. Today the treaty is commemorated by the Haudenosaunee by paying tribute to their peace-making efforts to uphold their end of the “chain” of friendship.

On November 11, Ganondagan State Historic Site hosted a lunch, lecture and tour to honor the 229th anniversary of the Canandaigua Treaty at their Seneca Art & Culture Center in Victor, NY. The annual event signals how the relationship between the United States and Six Nations has been challenged, strained, and violated, but reveals that the treaty itself has never been broken and is still recognized by both governments.

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Flora & Fauna, Fun & Games

Guess That Mysterious Wildlife Sound!

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Throughout the fall season, you’ve maybe found yourself outside at some point — around a cozy campfire or on a trail enjoying the beautiful autumn foliage — and heard a sound you didn’t quite recognize. Perhaps the sun was down, and you were startled?

If you’re thinking back on your fall adventures and this feels a little familiar, you wouldn’t be alone. There are so many different noises when you’re out in nature, and sometimes it’s hard to keep track of them all. With this article, we hope to demystify some of these sounds and show you they’re more interesting than unnerving!

Slowly scroll below to discover the thrilling world of five New York native animals that are often associated with autumn. Can you guess who each sound belongs to?

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The official blog for the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation