As New York splashes the summer away, a dedicated team works behind the scenes to make sure our beaches are swim-ready.
Meet the Water Quality Unit: Lauren Gallagher, Sarah Moss, and Veronica Mileski at a statewide convention. Since this photo was taken, Lauren Badinger has joined the unit as a seasonal assistant.
Consisting of three permanent staff and a summer intern, the Water Quality Unit at New York State Parks is charged with coordinating water sampling at the 75 monitoring stations at 49 beaches throughout New York State. Based in Albany they work closely with other agencies to report and track their results.
Guests enjoy Hamlin Beach on Lake Ontario, one of the 49 beaches monitored by our Water Quality Unit.
Water Quality Unit team members all agree that this is a job hiding in plain sight. While it’s essential to public health and appreciated by millions every summer, it’s generally under the radar of most of the people it benefits.
There’s nothing quite like a New York summer! It’s peak season at New York State Parks and Historic Sites. Camping is in full swing, whether it’s in one of our cabins, or in tents or RVs. The swimming season is underway at our beaches and pools. And if you’re looking to make the most of the season, we’ve got you covered. Our expert staff members have combed the state to suggest exciting summertime experiences for everyone. There’s bound to be something new for you on this list!
Listen to the Sounds of Summer
Performances at Artpark, left, and at Saratoga Performing Arts Center on the grounds of Saratoga Spa State Park.
Summer concerts are happening all season long, and there’s an affordable live music option for everyone. Enjoy the longer days and warmer nights with festivals and performances by world-famous musical artists at Saratoga Performing Arts Center on the grounds of Saratoga Spa State Park, Jones BeachTheater at the iconic Jones Beach in Wantagh, and Artpark in Lewiston, or boogie with your favorite local bands at a state park or historic site near you. All options offer the chance to relax and enjoy the show from a blanket or chair.
– Written by Gabriela Wemple, Excelsior Service Fellow
The days are getting longer, and it won’t be long before the swim season is here! 2024 kicked off with the exciting announcement of NY SWIMS: the largest investment in public swimming in nearly a century.
This multifaceted program seeks to provide all New Yorkers with access to safe swimming opportunities, particularly in underserved and heat-prone communities. It calls for new or revitalized swim areas at Sojourner Truth, the East Bathhouse at Jones Beach, and Lake Sebago at Harriman State Park. It expands our existing learn-to-swim program, supports lifeguard recruitment and retention, provides transportation to people who can’t otherwise access swimming, and includes grant funding for communities to build or renovate swimming facilities.
The NY SWIMS program also has a serious goal: to reduce childhood drowning. On average, 11 people drown every day in the United States during the summer. Drowning is the leading cause of death among children aged one to four years old in the United States, and the second-leading cause of death for children aged 5 to 14. Children with autism are 160 percent more likely to die from drowning. Other medical conditions also increase drowning risk. As you begin to plan your summertime swimming adventures, here are some tips to keep it safe.
If I were to ask you to name the best state parks in New York just off the top of your head, parks like Letchworth or Watkins Glen are probably what leap to mind. However, there are an abundance of parks that have a lot to offer but never make the list. That’s not to downplay parks like Letchworth, by any means – they stand out for a reason. Still, there are other great parks in New York State, but they don’t make it onto people’s radar because they are overshadowed by these larger or more publicized parks. Chenango Valley is just one of these beautiful but unjustifiably underrated parks.
Outstanding Camping
New York State Parks offer visitors some of the best camping in the state. Our family has camped in many of the parks but have found few campgrounds that can compare with Chenango Valley. Chenango Valley has 182 campsites spread throughout three camping loops – Chipmunk Bluff, Sunrise, and Pine Bluff. We found some incredible wooded and private campsites that really gave the impression of being away from it all. This park is surprisingly uncrowded; we were able to get a great campsite without even having to make a reservation at the peak of summer. However, making a reservation in advance is still the best bet to insuring that you will get the site you want.
The author’s campsite, photo by Kimberly Crawford.
People often shy away from wooded camping sites because they don’t want to deal with the mosquitoes that usually accompany the shaded sites. That isn’t usually a problem in Chenango Valley State Park. Why you might ask? This park has a large population of brown bats – but don’t let the idea of bats scare you. These little critters are actually quite helpful, eating between 600-1000 mosquitoes per hour which can help make your camping experience that much more comfortable.
Wildlife and Nature at Chenango Valley
My favorite part of getting out into nature is the opportunity to see animals, or at least evidence of their presence. This park is home to a large variety of animals. One night, as we sat around our campfire, we had the spine-tingling experience of hearing a pack of coyotes howling in the distance. Everything from the rarely seen black bears to more common white-tail deer roam the woods, in and around the park. Visitors might catch a glimpse of animals such as flying squirrels, gray squirrel, rabbits, chipmunks, skunks, red fox, beaver, raccoon, rabbits, and woodchucks. Although we didn’t see many animals during our time in the park, we did see evidence of beavers and met one spunky chipmunk who wanted to pose for a picture for us. Chenango Valley is also known for being an excellent park to bird watch as the trails run through a variety of habitats from woods, lakes, marsh and the river.
A curious chipmunk, photo by Kimberly Crawford
On of Chenango Valley’ American sycamore, photo by NY Natural Heritage Program
Things to do at Chenango Valley
Chenango Valley has a unique geological feature within the park, in the form of two kettle lakes. These lakes were formed by chunks of ice that broke away from a receding glacier. The chunks of ice sat in one place for a long time creating depressions in the earth, thus creating these small lakes. Lily Lake and Chenango Lake are both really quite lovely, with crystal clear water that is excellent for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. Visitors can rent canoes and kayaks or bring their own and really enjoy the peacefulness of these pristine lakes.
Kayaks and boats ready for a ride, photo by Kimberly Crawford.
Chenango Valley has one of the nicest swimming areas that I have found among the New York State Parks. Although the park calls it a beach, I’m not sure that title is really applicable. It is more like a pool cut into the end of the lake. The “pool” is divided into 4 sections of varying depth. This is excellent because there is a significant separation between the wading pool, perfect for the little ones, and the deep water of the diving area.
Swimming area, photo by Kimberly Crawford
The park is full of hiking trails too. Our favorites are the trails that circumnavigate the lakes as well as a truly unique section of the park, the bog. If you camp in the Sunrise Loop, you can very easily hike to this area. When I heard bog, I immediately thought of some dark, uninviting place, but this wetland area was spectacular. I’m quite serious when I say that the bog looks like you have stepped back in time to the Jurassic period and at any moment a brachiosaur is going to come walking past. This unusual natural community seemed completely out of place, but my kids loved it and had fun “dinosaur hunting.” Of course, for your own safety and for the protection of the bog environment, you will want to make sure to stay on the trail and not go wandering off into the bog.
Lily bog, photo by NY Natural Heritage Program
Chenango Valley also has a world-class golf course for those looking to play a round within the beautiful and idyllic scenery of the park. Some of the hiking trails do take hikers pretty close to the golf course, so beware of flying golf balls.
Chenango Valley State Park Golf Course, photo by Kimberly Crawford
The New York State Parks offer visitors the chance to experience the most breathtaking and beautiful parts of our state. This gorgeous park is one of New York State’s hidden gems. Chenango Valley is a place where you can truly get away from it all and appreciate all the beauty that nature has to offer. A trip to this tranquil retreat is something everyone should experience.
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