New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers responded to multiple backcountry incidents from August 18th through August 22nd. These included lost and injured hikers, stranded and injured boaters, an injured cliff jumper and more. [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Respond to Lost, Injured Outdoor Recreationists
swimming
Lake Ontario’s Selkirk Shores, Southwick Beach Get Upgrade
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) has completed $9.5 million in upgrades to Selkirk Shores and Southwick Beach State Park on the eastern shore of Lake Ontario, including campground upgrades, restoration of historic facilities, construction of a new park office and a new accessible trail. [Read more…] about Lake Ontario’s Selkirk Shores, Southwick Beach Get Upgrade
Jones Beach State Park Rehabilitation Completed
The historic Jones Beach State Park East Bathhouse has been restored, revamped and is now open with modern amenities for the first time since 2009. A new way to enjoy one of New York’s most popular state parks, the restored bathhouse is a signature project of Governor Hochul’s NY SWIMS initiative – an effort to expand access to safe places to cool off and help more children learn the lifesaving skill of swimming. [Read more…] about Jones Beach State Park Rehabilitation Completed
First New State Park Swimming Facility in More Than 20 Years
The new Lake Sophia swimming facility and bathhouse pavilion at Sojourner Truth State Park in Ulster County, NY is the first new State Parks swimming facility in 20 years.
Featuring a swimming area larger than two Olympic-size swimming pools, Lake Sophia will accommodate hundreds of swimmers a day and will be open daily from 10 am until 6 pm through Labor Day weekend. [Read more…] about First New State Park Swimming Facility in More Than 20 Years
Gertrude Ederle: The Queen of the Waves Hits a Speed Bump
Gertrude Ederle led a long and amazing life. Born in New York City in 1905 to German immigrant parents who ran an Upper West Side butcher shop, Ederle became an Olympic swimming champion at age 19 in 1924, and in August 1926, a century ago this month, became the first woman – and the fifth person – to successfully swim the English Channel.
Henry Ederle promised his daughter a red roadster if she did it, and in a companion boat he and Trudy’s sister shouted reminders about the car as encouragement on the turbulent route from France to England. [Read more…] about Gertrude Ederle: The Queen of the Waves Hits a Speed Bump
1934: Lake George Cracks-Down On Swimwear
In June 1934 the Town of Caldwell (now the Town of Lake George) began regulating sunbathing and swimwear on its downtown streets. Law enforcement officials were tasked with a new job while patrolling the lakeshore and avenues at the head of the 32-mile-long Lake George. [Read more…] about 1934: Lake George Cracks-Down On Swimwear
Campers Rescued from Violent Storm; Injured Cliff Jumper; Many More Rescues
New York State Forest Rangers spent a busy week rescuing numerous people from backcountry dangers, including: a 77-year-old rescued by helicopter in the Adirondack High Peaks; Lows Lake campers stranded by a violent storm; a teen medical emergency near Cranberry Lake; a capsized boat; an injured cliff jumper on the West Branch Ausable River which included a technical rope rescue; and dehydrated hikers and hikers with lower leg injuries in the Adirondacks and Catskills.
Be sure to eat before hiking and bring plenty of water and extra food that’s high in protein and calories. Read the Ten Hiking Essentials. [Read more…] about Campers Rescued from Violent Storm; Injured Cliff Jumper; Many More Rescues
Play Streets & New York City Recreation History
In summer thoughts turn to fun at the beach, pool and in parks. The vertical files of the New York City Municipal Library include a trove of publications describing City government’s role in providing recreational opportunities between 1919 and 1979.
A good portion of the contents are news clippings that track, decade by decade, City residents’ recreational choices. “Eel Season Ending For City Anglers” the New York Times reported in 1967; “People Pushing Horses Out Of Park” the Daily News decried as the Claremont Riding Academy was poised to close in 1970; and the perennial “New York on Next to Nothing” from the New York Post are just a few of the titles. [Read more…] about Play Streets & New York City Recreation History
Two Bathing Suits Highlight History in Everyday Life
Two bathing suits from the textile collection of The Buffalo History Museum highlight the long and varied history of swimsuits. In the early 1900s, women wore long gowns with bloomers underneath for swimming.
These bathing gowns were weighted down by several heavy layers of material, occasionally with weights sewn into the hem so the material would not float. Fabrics were chosen for bathing suits that would not become transparent when wet. [Read more…] about Two Bathing Suits Highlight History in Everyday Life
Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: Summer at Henderson Harbor
Alice Mabel Allen (1886-1976) grew up in the village of Adams in Jefferson County. In 1908, while attending Syracuse University, Mabel, as she was known, kept a diary which New York Almanack is publishing each week. This week she was enjoying summer at Henderson Harbor on Lake Ontario. [Read more…] about Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: Summer at Henderson Harbor
1908 Swimming & Summer Reading At Camp
Alice Mabel Allen (1886-1976) grew up in the village of Adams in Jefferson County. In 1908, while attending Syracuse University, Mabel, as she was known, kept a diary which New York Almanack is publishing each week.
Monday, July 13
Father and Edna [her sister] left for Adams about noon. We — mother and I — took up the matting in the hall and mother washed. Put up banners and sewed on Edna’s bathing suit. After lunch we made the acquaintance of little Laura Howard who lives here the year around. [Read more…] about 1908 Swimming & Summer Reading At Camp
Early Season Paddling Tragedies Are A Cold Reminder
Water currents can be strong at any time of year, but early season boaters, paddlers, anglers and swimmers are at a greater risk in spring when waters are still cold – cold enough to cause cold water shock, hypothermia and death in minutes.
Three recent stories highlight the dangers of recreating on and around cold and fast waters in Spring: [Read more…] about Early Season Paddling Tragedies Are A Cold Reminder
Davis Dalton & The Volunteer Life Saving Corps
It was the year 1898, and only days from the end of summer. A group of boaters and swimmers at Lake George had just finished organizing a training session by the recently established Volunteer Life Saving Corps.
This was an era when organized water safety and life-guarding were virtually nonexistent, and swimming was more often viewed as “bathing,” requiring no formal skill. [Read more…] about Davis Dalton & The Volunteer Life Saving Corps
New York State Launches New Harmful Algal Blooms Effort
In celebration of World Water Day on March 22, 2026, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced a sweeping plan to address one of the most challenging water quality issues facing communities across the state — Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs).
Harmful Algal Blooms are over-growths of algae (in New York State primarily cyanobacteria also known as blue-green algae) that can produce dangerous toxins, appearing primarily but no longer exclusively during the warm months of August and September. [Read more…] about New York State Launches New Harmful Algal Blooms Effort
New York Historic Pools Designed by Wesley Bintz
Wesley Bintz was a Civil Engineer who received his training at the University of Michigan, earning a BCE in 1916 and MS in 1918. He moved on to municipal work in Flint, Michigan with two pools made of reinforced concrete, and funded by municipal bonds, which he designed as their City Engineer and completed in 1920.
Bintz subsequently accepted an Engineering position with the City of Lansing, Michigan whose citizens also desired an ovoid swimming pool, and saw their aspiration fulfilled with another a Bintz designed 80 x 120 foot pool constructed during 1922-23. Other communities saw the need for such facilities, which caused Bintz to patent his design, and specialize in his own swimming pool enterprise. Many Blintz pools were built in New York State. [Read more…] about New York Historic Pools Designed by Wesley Bintz
Swimming the Length of Lake George: Many Have Tried Since 1927
“Marathon swimming is dominated by females,” says Scott Cotten, a fourth-generation member of a YMCA and Silver Bay family who tried unsuccessfully to swim the length of Lake George in 2024.
Bridget Simpson, Charlotte Brynn, Caroline Block and Karyn Scherer are among those who have swum the length of the lake in recent years. Dr. Colby Jones Brown joined their ranks over Labor Day weekend in 2025. [Read more…] about Swimming the Length of Lake George: Many Have Tried Since 1927
Gyttja: Lake Mud Beneath Your Feet Reveals the Past
Most people know that the bottom of a northern lake or large pond is a mucky, muddy mess of weeds, decayed leaves, some rocks, and a few crayfish to avoid stepping on while wading.
This area is known as the lake shelf. Just beyond the shelf is often a steep drop-off – usually 20 feet deep or more – known as the slope, followed by a longer and much less steep rise leading to the deepest part, known as the basin. With every storm and footstep, most of the muck is re-suspended, moving and settling again on the rise and basin. [Read more…] about Gyttja: Lake Mud Beneath Your Feet Reveals the Past
Rangers Fight Wildfires, Rescue Hikers, Cliff Jumper
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State locating and extracting lost, injured or distressed people and policing state lands.
This report of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers was prepared by DEC: [Read more…] about Rangers Fight Wildfires, Rescue Hikers, Cliff Jumper
New Upgrades, Permits for Peekamoose Blue Hole
A newly constructed Peekamoose Blue Hole parking lot and first phase of a 3,270-foot accessible connector trail is hoped to improved the visitor experience and promotes sustainable use of natural resources in the three-mile Peekamoose Valley Riparian Corridor in the Catskills.
Peekamoose Blue Hole in the town of Denning in Ulster County is one of the most popular and oft-visited wild places in New York State. [Read more…] about New Upgrades, Permits for Peekamoose Blue Hole
Forest Rangers Recover Bodies; Make Rescues; Fight Wildfire
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State locating and extracting lost, injured or distressed people and policing state lands.
This report of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers was prepared by DEC: [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Recover Bodies; Make Rescues; Fight Wildfire