History, Natural History & the Arts
As reported here at the New York Almanack recently, Bear Mountain and parts of Harriman State Park were closed due to damage from a heavy rainstorm and flash floods on Sunday, July 9th.
As of August 23rd, Bear Mountain State Park has reopened for limited use: [Read more…] about Bear Mountain, Harriman State Parks Reopen for Limited Use
Civic organizations across New York State are mourning the passing of Joan Kaplan Davidson, at the age of 96.
Joan Davidson spent her life improving and advocating on behalf of civic betterment, cultural enrichment, and environmental protection in the City and State of New York, especially in the Hudson River Valley where she lived. [Read more…] about Remembering Joan Kaplan Davidson (1927-2023)
Bear Mountain State Park is closed due to damage from a heavy rainstorm and flash floods on Sunday, July 9th. The storm’s epicenter landed near West Point, NY, where as much as 9 inches of rain fell in less than six hours – an unprecedented amount that overwhelmed local infrastructure and landscapes.
There was tragic loss of life and destruction in nearby towns, and the floods caused significant damage in nearby Palisades Parks and closed the Appalachian Trail. [Read more…] about Bear Mountain State Park, Appalachian Trail Remain Closed 4 Weeks After Storm
A new $6.8 million multi-use trail at Allegany State Park has been completed that provides an accessible alternative for bikers, hikers and campers to reach the park’s popular Quaker Lake beach area.
[Read more…] about Allegany State Park Bike-Hike Trail Expansion
Several projects have been completed at New York State Historic Sites. [Read more…] about Recently Completed Historic Site Projects
Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) have announced the release of the New York State Greenway Trails Progress Report (August 2021-December 2022), which outlines the accomplishments made, the projects initiated, and the funding secured by state, local, and non-profit partners between August 2021 and December 2022. The report identifies 97.1 miles of new trails completed and 372.7 additional miles of trail in progress in that time frame. [Read more…] about Nearly 100 Miles of New Greenway Trails in NYS Since Opened Since 2021
There was a record 79.5 million visits to New York State Parks and Historic Sites in 2022, according to the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks).
That’s an increase of one million visits from 2021. Attendance at state parks and historic sites has risen nearly 43 percent since 2008. [Read more…] about New York State Parks, Historic Sites See Record Attendance in 2022
The most-visited state park in New York City is getting a much-needed update. This project will include the renovation of all locker rooms, resurfacing the outdoor track and replacing the turf field, and upgrading the heating and ventilation system in the performing arts center at Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park in West Harlem . [Read more…] about $26M Renovation Underway At Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park
At the State Of The State Address on January 10, 2023, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul introduced an ambitious response to climate change. Largely ignored in the reporting over those efforts is a plan to switch State Parks to 100 percent renewable energy by 2030. [Read more…] about State Parks Plan To Be Energy Independent By 2030
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) has announced that construction has begun on a $1.7 million project to stabilize the historic Erie Canal Aqueduct at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site in Montgomery County.
The aqueduct, which was built in 1841, is within the Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor. [Read more…] about Erie Canal Aqueduct Stabilization Project Begins