Tag Archives: Blazing A Trail: A History of NY State Parks and Historic SItes

A Vision for the Future: The Final Chapter of ‘Blazing A Trail’ 

The final chapter of the interactive history timeline, Blazing a Trail: A History of NY State Parks and Historic Sites, has been released, completing the chronicling and sharing of our agency’s history in celebration of our Centennial anniversary. In detailing the future of New York State Parks and our ongoing efforts, we hope that this era leaves you inspired to not only learn more, but to take an active role in shaping the future of our park and historic site system. In the final installment of this eight-era series, “Tomorrow & Beyond” explores how New York State Parks will combat climate change, expand access to our parks and sites, share previously undertold history, use new technology, and improve and expand our system of 250 state parks, historic sites, golf courses, and boat launches. 

Continue reading A Vision for the Future: The Final Chapter of ‘Blazing A Trail’ 

A New Millennium: ‘Blazing A Trail’ Covers New York State Parks’ Recent Past  

Following our Centennial anniversary, we continue to share the story of New York State Parks and Historic Sites through our interactive history timeline, Blazing a Trail: A History of NY State Parks and Historic Sites. Our latest addition to the series covers the 21st century history of New York’s state park and historic site system. “A New Millennium” details a new era of leadership, the threat of park closures, the creation of vital community partnerships, the impact of climate change, and vital investments in the late-2010s that helped position New York as a nationwide recreation destination.

Continue reading A New Millennium: ‘Blazing A Trail’ Covers New York State Parks’ Recent Past  

State Parks’ 20th Century Evolution

Following our 2024 Centennial anniversary, we will continue to share the story of New York State’s park and historic site system through our interactive history timeline, Blazing a Trail: A History of NY State Parks and Historic Sites. In recent months, we have added two eras detailing the latter half of the 20th century. Starting in 1960 and spanning to the turn of the millennium, these stories outline some of the largest periods of expansion in the system’s history and explore radical changes which defined the modern-day mission of New York State Parks.  

Continue reading State Parks’ 20th Century Evolution

New Stories Behind State Parks Expand History Timeline 

In celebration of our Centennial anniversary this year, we have been telling the story of New York State parks and historic sites through our interactive history timeline, Blazing a Trail. Since our last update on the blog, we’ve covered a lot of ground with three densely packed additions illuminating two eras of State Parks history.

Picking up where we left off in 1929, the new additions to the online exploration of our history span from the start of the Great Depression in 1930 until the end of post-war recovery in 1959.  

Continue reading New Stories Behind State Parks Expand History Timeline 

Blazing a Trail Through History with Our Interactive Timeline

Commemorating a century of New York State Parks, we are proud to announce an interactive timeline detailing our agency’s history:  Blazing a Trail: A History of NY State Parks and Historic Sites

A stereographic photograph taken at the Prospect Point observation area of Niagara Falls. There are multiple people who are standing in front of the falls, posing for the camera.
A stereographic photograph taken at the Prospect Point observation area of Niagara Falls. Image courtesy of the New York Public Library.

Beginning with the acquisition of Washington’s Headquarters in 1850, Blazing a Trail delves into more than 170 years of stories and milestone moments, divided into eight chronological eras. The timeline experience, showcased in a modern and mobile-friendly way, introduces important figures in the State Parks’ history and examines the social and political context of each era of our park and historic site system’s development. With our Centennial celebration already in full swing, additional eras will be launching throughout 2024, reminding New Yorkers that New York’s state parks are truly made for them.  

Continue reading Blazing a Trail Through History with Our Interactive Timeline