Restoration work on nearly three miles of the Minnewaska State Park Preserve’s Lake Awosting Carriage Road, a historic trail circling Lake Awosting, the largest “sky lake” on the northern Shawangunk Ridge is now complete. [Read more…] about Lake Awosting Carriage Road Restoration Complete
Minnewaska State Park
Shawangunk Ridge Viewshed, Wetlands Protected
The Open Space Institute (OSI) has planned for the protection of 175 acres of marsh and forest land, including wetland areas, along Route 299 in the Towns of New Paltz and Gardiner in Ulster County.
When the owners of the Humpo Marshlands and Forest property decided it was time to figure out long-term plans for their family’s farm they called Bob Anderberg, OSI’s Senior Vice President and Strategic Conservation Advisor. Anderberg had reached out to the family more than 20 years earlier about preserving the land and had continued that dialogue over the years. [Read more…] about Shawangunk Ridge Viewshed, Wetlands Protected
The Palisades Hiking Trails: Some History
With nearly 450 miles of blazed trails crisscrossing almost 130,000 acres of publicly accessible open space, the Palisades region’s hiking system is among the most expansive in New York State.
The region hosts the oldest section of the Appalachian Trail running through Bear Mountain State Park an extensive section of the Long Path, a 358-mile trail from the George Washington Bridge to near Albany; approximately 50 miles of carriage roads in Minnewaska State Park, and dozens of other well-loved trails that bring the region’s seven million annual visitors to waterfalls, wetlands, streams, lakes and forests. [Read more…] about The Palisades Hiking Trails: Some History
Minnewaska State Park Grows to Nearly 24,000 Acres
The latest expansion of Minnewaska State Park Preserve includes a 291-acre section of the northern Shawangunk Mountains, safeguarding important ecosystems and protecting viewsheds.
Bringing Minnewaska’s total size to 23,974 acres, this acquisition supports the State’s goal to conserve 30 percent of its lands and waters by 2030. [Read more…] about Minnewaska State Park Grows to Nearly 24,000 Acres
A Palisades Interstate Park History Podcast
The Palisades Interstate Park Commission (PIPC) was formed in 1900 by Governors Theodore Roosevelt of New York and Foster Voorhees of New Jersey in response to the quarrying operations along the Palisades Cliffs of New Jersey.
Before the creation of the vast Palisades Interstate Park spanning New York and New Jersey, people lived and worked there in small villages and hamlets. [Read more…] about A Palisades Interstate Park History Podcast
Minnewaska State Park Carriage Road Restoration Underway
The Open Space Institute (OSI) has begun restoration work on nearly three miles of the Minnewaska State Park Preserve’s Lake Awosting Carriage Road, a historic trail circling Lake Awosting, the largest “sky lake” on the northern Shawangunk Ridge. [Read more…] about Minnewaska State Park Carriage Road Restoration Underway
Ulster County River-to-Ridge Trail Marks Millionth Visitor
The Open Space Institute (OSI) recently celebrated the one-millionth visit to its six-mile long River-to-Ridge Trail in New Paltz, NY. The Ulster County trail, which opened in 2018, has become well-utilized thanks to its easily accessible and central location, sweeping views, and year-round recreational opportunities. [Read more…] about Ulster County River-to-Ridge Trail Marks Millionth Visitor
Bicycling Adventures in New York State Parks
Go for a spin this fall and discover the scenic biking trails at New York State Parks. Bicycling is a great, low-impact exercise to enjoy with family and friends and a picturesque way to experience fall foliage in New York State. With so many trails to choose from, here are a few destinations from around the state worth exploring. [Read more…] about Bicycling Adventures in New York State Parks
Forest Rangers Recover Two Bodies in Separate Incidents Upstate
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers, typically respond to lost or injured hikers and hunters, but just before Christmas they found themselves responding to the retrieval of two bodies from the backcountry in Upstate New York. [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Recover Two Bodies in Separate Incidents Upstate
Forest Rangers Have Busy Week Making Rescues Around New York State
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Have Busy Week Making Rescues Around New York State
NYC Man Rescued After 50-Foot Fall Into Crevice At State Park
A 54-year old New York City man was rescued after falling into a deep crevice in a New York State Park, according to Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about NYC Man Rescued After 50-Foot Fall Into Crevice At State Park
The Shawangunk Fire Complex: Active Wildfires in Minnewaska State Park
Three wildfires are burning on or near the Shawangunk Ridge in Ulster County, including at at Naponach Point in Minnewaska State Park.
The three blazes in the Shawangunk fire complex include the Napanoch Point fire in Minnewaska State Park, which started Sunday afternoon as a result of a suspected lightning strike and is estimated at 270 acres on Wednesday afternoon. A smaller fire approximately two miles east of the Napanoch Point fire, named Stony Kill, was detected on Monday, grew to about 1.5 acres and was 95% contained on Wednesday afternoon. The Wurtsboro fire in the town of Mamakating was reported early Saturday afternoon and was approximately 70 acres on Tuesday afternoon. [Read more…] about The Shawangunk Fire Complex: Active Wildfires in Minnewaska State Park
Invasive Southern Pine Beetle Spreads North
New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) have announced that southern pine beetles (SPB) were found farther north than previously documented and in greater numbers, suggesting their range is expanding and populations are on the rise.
SPB are destructive forest pests that pose a significant threat to the State’s pine forests, particularly pitch pine forests like those found in the Albany Pine Bush and Minnewaska State Park Preserve. [Read more…] about Invasive Southern Pine Beetle Spreads North
Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Some History
Minnewaska State Park Preserve has become a popular destination for hikers, bikers, and nature lovers. It is crisscrossed with acres of pristine views, carriage trails, and hiking trails. Many people visiting there do not realize that it once was the site of two spectacular mountain houses that sat perched on the cliffs overlooking Lake Minnewaska. They were named Wildmere and Cliff House. [Read more…] about Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Some History
Palisades Parks Affected by Tropical Storm Irene
Many state parks and historic sites in the Palisades Region are inaccessible due to damage from Tropical Storm Irene. Parks will reopen as power is restored, debris is removed, floodwaters recede, and public safety can be assured. The list of closings will be updated as conditions changes. Before visiting, visitors should contact the respective park offices for the most up-to-date information on availability of facilities and hours of operation. [Read more…] about Palisades Parks Affected by Tropical Storm Irene
Millbrook Carriage Road Restoration Project Complete
The Millbrook Carriage Road, a multi-use carriage road that is used for hiking, biking and horseback riding in Minnewaska State Park Preserve, has reopened following completion of the first of several carriage road restoration projects in the Shawangunk Mountains. The project was made possible in part from a $300,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Fund and a substantial individual donation.
The Palisades Interstate Park Commission, the Palisades Parks Conservancy, the Mohonk Preserve, and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation have launched an joint initiative to rebuild the historic Smiley family carriage road network in New York State’s Shawangunk Mountains. Many of the 83 miles of hand-built broken stone are in stages of disrepair, some causing closure. [Read more…] about Millbrook Carriage Road Restoration Project Complete
Minnewaska Carriage Road Project Begins
A contract to restore the Millbrook Carriage Road in Minnewaska State Park Preserve (Shawangunk Ridge) is scheduled to begin this week.
The project is expected to take 90 days to complete, though that time frame is largely weather dependent. The Millbrook Carriage Road and Gertrude’s Nose footpath will be closed for the duration of this project. Millbrook Mountain will be accessible via Millbrook Footpath for hikers only. [Read more…] about Minnewaska Carriage Road Project Begins
Minnewaska State Park Master Plan Adopted
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the Palisades Interstate Park Commission have adopted a master plan for Minnewaska State Park Preserve.
State Parks has reinstated the master planning process throughout the park system, and Minnewaska State Park is among the first to complete a new master plan. Park master plans define a long-term, sustainable vision for parks by helping to identify best uses for a specific site, make the most of limited resources, and protect the environment. [Read more…] about Minnewaska State Park Master Plan Adopted