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
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation recently announced its annual employee awards, which recognize workers in the New York State park and historic site system.
The awards included the L.L. Huttleston Executive Award, the agency’s highest honor, given to a senior manager; the first Waletzky Award for Environmental Stewardship; and the agency’s top peer recognition, the Maple Leaf Award. [Read more…] about New York State Parks Announces Annual Employee Awards
The Jay Heritage Center (JHC) was honored with a New York State Historic Preservation Award for Excellence in Non-Profit Achievement last week in recognition of its rehabilitation and stewardship of the Jay Estate Gardens.
The award was one of only ten conferred this year for excellence in the preservation and revitalization of New York State’s historic and cultural resources. It was the only award made to a Westchester County non-profit. [Read more…] about Jay Heritage Center Recognized for Excellence in Historic Preservation
The New York State Board for Historic Preservation has recommended adding 11 properties to the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
The nominations include a twentieth-century piano player factory in Syracuse, a rare nineteenth-century stone general store in Millville, a historic cemetery in the Town of East Hampton and a historic district in Lansingburgh. [Read more…] about 11 Nominations for State and National Registers of Historic Places
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
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the grand opening of the final three regions of the New York State Birding Trail, highlighting the state’s world-class and wide-ranging birding opportunities.
The Adirondacks-North Country, Catskills, and Southern Tier segments bring the total number of birding trail locations across the state to more than 300, providing a variety of quality birding experiences for New Yorkers and visitors to enjoy. [Read more…] about Last Three Segments of NYS Birding Trail Complete
The Washington County Historical Society and the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) have announce the dedication of a new historic marker to be placed at the Susan B Anthony Childhood Home at 2835 State Route 29 in Battenville (Town of Greenwich) on Saturday, June 18th. [Read more…] about Susan B. Anthony Childhood Home Historic Marker Dedication
The New York State Legislature passed A.9710/S.8934 “An act in relation to conducting a study of public and private museums in New York state,” unanimously in the Assembly on May 24th and in the Senate on June 2nd.
“This bill will make a difference to every museum in the state regardless of budget size, discipline, or location,” said Erika Sanger, Executive Director of the Museum Association of New York (MANY). The bill is headed to Governor Kathy Hochul’s desk and her signature would enable the act to take effect immediately. [Read more…] about Museum Study Act Passes State Legislature, Awaits Governor’s Signature
New York State and local community leaders recently announced initiatives planned for the 2022 outdoor recreation season designed to protect public safety and promote sustainable recreation in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks.
Many of these actions, bolstered by $8 million from the State Environmental Protection Fund specifically for Adirondack and Catskill visitor safety and wilderness protection in the recently enacted 2022-23 State Budget, support a strategy to improve safety, sustainability, and equitable access. [Read more…] about State Forest Preserve Visitor Use Management Plans for 2022 Season
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) is developing a Master Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (MP/EIS) for Clermont State Historic Site, located in the Town of Germantown, Columbia County.
Interested parties will have the opportunity to contribute to the master planning process during an online public workshop to be held Thursday, May 12th, at 5:30 pm. [Read more…] about Comments Sought On Clermont State Historic Site Management Plan
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks), the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) has announced that registration is now open for the 11th annual I Love My Park Day, which will be held on Saturday, May 7th, at state parks, historic sites and public lands across New York.
This statewide event is a volunteer initiative to enhance parks, historic sites and public lands and raise awareness and visibility to the state outdoor recreation assets and their needs. [Read more…] about 11th Annual ‘I Love My Park’ Day On Saturday, May 7th
Use your bank’s “bill pay” option (or just send a check)
Thanks for your support! These are difficult times. Without your support we cannot publish the Almanack.
*Donations are not tax deductible.
(Click the X in the top right corner this box to not see this message again for 7 days).