New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation

New York State Park Police, lifeguards, and park staff are constantly monitoring the shores of New York, to keep beachgoers safe this summer. Thanks to new investments earlier this year, we have increased staffing and expanded our fleet of drones to 22 — all to ensure continuous monitoring of nearshore marine life. As shark sightings become more frequent, our staff is prepared with right tools to help protect New Yorkers and visitors. https://ow.ly/WZan50SAAYP

Have you heard about the Connect Kids to Swimming Instruction Transportation Grant Program? Part of the NY SWIMS initiative, the program will help connect NY school age children (pre-K through grade 12) with swimming instruction by reimbursing organizations for costs associated with transporting kids to swim lessons at eligible locations. Learn more about whether your organization is eligible, and how to apply following all of the guidelines today: https://ow.ly/4ycz50SzXw6

🦋 Now open for your enjoyment: Big Bend Preserve at Moreau Lake State Park is a new 860-acre addition to the beloved park which sits atop a former logging camp. The preserve features unique wildlife habitats, Hudson River access, and over 6 miles of easily navigable trails, suitable for many different types of recreation. As we seek to expand access to our state’s natural lands, Big Bend Preserve demonstrates how New York State Parks is rejuvenating formerly industrialized lands for public use. [link]

A prestigious visit. A critical issue. A big opportunity for students. We were proud to welcome the King and Queen of the Netherlands to Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site and facilitate climate change conversations with the next generation of environmental leaders. https://ow.ly/w30y50SzSEa

We were proud to help 2.8 million of you make memories at our parks and historic sites this Fourth of July! It’s always an honor to serve you and to be a part of your family traditions! Thank you to our staff who helped make this past weekend so special. https://ow.ly/hEQQ50SzAcE

Our state leaders took the time to share their state park stories with us, and now we want to hear from you! Do you have any special memories from our parks? Visit us at parks.ny.gov/100/story to share your story today.

The development of New York’s state parks during the Great Depression was, in large part, due to President Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC). Separated into different companies, these units were segregated by race. Designated by the suffix of ‘c’ added to unit names to indicate ‘colored,’ these all-Black units were required to be led by White officers. Only a few African American CCC companies worked on state park projects in New York. One of these units was Company 1251-c. Initially stationed at the Newtown Battlefield Reservation outside of Elmira in 1935, Company 1251-c was one of the first all-Black companies to have Black officers in command. While stationed at Newtown Battlefield, Company 1251-c built the picnic pavilion and concession stand; sports fields, stone tables, and wooden bridges; and planted trees and plants, as well as added or graded topsoil. Among the numerous projects constructed by CCC workers throughout the park system during the 1930s, the Newtown complex is the most intact and much of Company 1251-c's work is still visible today. Discover the history of NY State Parks and Historic Sites for yourself with our latest interactive timeline addition, “Depression and a New Deal.” Bit.ly/NYStateParksHistory

We're so grateful for this collaboration to bring poetry to selected parks and historic sites this summer!

Making connections in and around our communities is important to us! To keep state parks and historic sites affordable and accessible to you, we've partnered with CDTA/Capital District Transportation Authority, Ulster County Area Transit, and NFTA Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority to offer expanded transportation opportunities across the state. Check out the free transportation options below! 🚌 CDTA Albany Nature Bus - Thacher State Park 🚌 UCAT Nature Bus - Sojourner Truth State Park, Walkway Over the Hudson State Park Historic Site, Minnewaska State Park Preserve, and Sam's Point 🚌 NFTA Adventure Bus - Niagara Falls State Park, Beaver Island State Park, Fort Niagara State Park, Evangola State Park Routes, schedules, and drop-off locations vary depending on the region you live in. Please check your local area transportation website for more information.

Happy Shark Week! In this blog post, State Parks Environmental Educator Ashley Longo shares some of the shark species she met at the Bimini Shark Lab in the Bahamas and advises on how to stay “shark smart” this summer. https://lnkd.in/eXgpRkSx.