Tag Archives: travel

2024 Centennial Celebration, Park History

New Stories Behind State Parks Expand History Timeline 

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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.  

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Family Fun, Recreation, State History

Your Guide To Fall At New York State Parks And Historic Sites

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Crisp air. Crunchy leaves. Fall is a magical season. Temperatures are just right for hiking, biking and outdoor adventure. There’s vibrant color everywhere and honking geese overhead. It’s the season of apple cider donuts, pumpkin spice, and of course, Halloween! Maybe that’s why fall has eclipsed summer as the busiest time of year at our parks and historic sites? For your consideration and enjoyment, our seasonal outdoor fun experts have returned to help you squeeze every last drop out of this delightful season!

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Camping, Family Fun, Lodging

Camping 101: A Guide to Getting Out There

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New to camping or haven’t gone since you were a kid? Thinking about how to prepare for or what to expect during an overnight trip might be overwhelming, and we get it! Used to creature comforts at home, trying something new or unpredictable always feels intimidating.

But what if, with a little help, what seems challenging turned out to be calming and therapeutic, refreshing and well worth it? Studies show that spending time outdoors and offline fosters positive mental health, improves resiliency, and relieves depression, anxiety and stress, particularly among our young people.

A parent and child relaxing in their tent during a camping trip.

Here at New York State Parks, we firmly believe in the benefits of the outdoors, and we don’t want nervousness or confusion to stand in the way of you and your loved ones having an incredible camping experience. That’s why we’ve done the work for you. In this post, we’ll shell out some rock-solid guidance on:

  • what to pack (including an updated version of our checklist!)
  • campground etiquette
  • fun and easy recipes to try
  • the differences between Parks and DEC campgrounds

Camping is an affordable way to enjoy nature in new ways. Here’s hoping we’ll #SeeYouOutThere.

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Cool Science, Park Personnel, Research, safety

People and Safety Procedures Behind Water Quality Testing at NY State Parks

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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.   

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Flora & Fauna, Historic Sites, Recreation

Signs of Spring at State Parks and Historic Sites

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Longer days. Warmer temperatures. More birdsong. The signs of spring have been growing stronger in New York for weeks, and now the season has arrived. We’re proud to share some of the delights of spring with you at our parks and historic sites — here’s hoping we’ll see you out there.

Springing from the Earth

Getting out on the trail in the springtime is an exhilarating experience, as wildflowers begin to bloom, trees return to leaf, and the smells of nature fully return. If you enjoy identifying the plants, insects and animals you see on the trail, consider joining the global nonprofit iNaturalist project. You can use their app to identify flora and fauna you find, record your sightings, or find out from other users what’s been sighted nearby. Below are a few plants to look out for!

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