The Beat

Free New York State Parks Explorer App Connects Visitors with the Outdoors

Today, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) marked the beginning of the summer season by launching a new mobile app for smart devices to provide visitors and prospective visitors useful information about the variety of destinations and activities available throughout the Empire State’s parks and historic sites.

The New York State Parks Explorer App is a free, user-friendly resource for visitors to plan outdoor adventures while staying connected to long-time favorite parks and sites. Users can learn more about top destinations and discover new must-see locations with rotating curated content, and will enjoy quick access to park information, including directions, hours, amenities, fees and rates, trail maps, helpful know-before-you-go details, and the ability to receive important updates and alerts.

Reduced capacity and additional adjustments made to ensure health and safety

Victor, NY— Ganondagan State Historic Site Manager Peter Jemison (Seneca) today announced the re-opening of the Seneca Art & Culture Center and the Seneca Bark Longhouse this Thursday, July 2, as per guidelines by Governor Cuomo and New York State. Going forward, open hours will be Tuesdays-Saturdays, 9 am - 4 pm. Both buildings will be closed for the July 4th holiday. …

The Botanical Gardens Reopens to the Public on July 15 With Early Access for Members on July 8

Buffalo, NY - The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens announced today they will reopen to the public on July 15, 2020 with early access to members on July 8. They can’t wait to be #BackUnderTheDome! The COVID-19 health crisis is rapidly evolving and the health and safety of all visitors, staff, volunteers and the extended community is extremely important.

The President/CEO, David Swarts states, “Public gardens are indispensable to community healing, offering much-needed places for respite and connection with nature.  The loss of revenue due to the COVID-19 situation is devastating and with 94% of our budget coming from membership, admission and fundraising efforts, the community’s support of the Botanical Gardens is important now more than ever.”…

Tai Chi and Guided Meditation Classes offered as part of a larger initiative to enrich the Saratoga Spa State Park as a destination for the healing arts 

Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center and COESA announced that they will partner to present a series of health and wellness events on the SPAC grounds in the Saratoga Spa State Park including Tai Chi classes instructed by Mark Tolstrup of the Tai Chi Center (July 7-28) and Guided Meditation led by Pierre Zimmerman of One Roof Saratoga (July 12-August 30). The classes are part of a larger initiative to create opportunities for the community to safely gather. Wellness teachers and their students will be able to meet in person once again in a controlled, socially-distanced way.  And all proceeds will go directly to the teachers.

Mumford, N.Y. – Genesee Country Village & Museum (GCV&M) is happy to announce that the Museum will be opening to the public on Friday, July 3, and will be open for the July 4th holiday weekend with family-friendly programming to celebrate the occasion. After opening to members only, Genesee Country Village & Museum is looking forward to welcoming everyone onsite to enjoy the Historic Village and Museum safely. In accordance with state and local guidelines, mask-wearing and distancing protocols will be observed. …

Howes Cave, NY--The Iroquois Indian Museum announces the outdoor exhibition “Tonto, Tepees, and Totem Poles: Considering Native American Stereotypes in the 21st Century,” which will be displayed in July and August in the open-air pavilion on the museum’s grounds in Howes Cave. The museum also announces a summer series of Facebook Live mini-lessons and demonstrations by Iroquois educators and artists, as well as a virtual raffle. 

Lighthouses, Shipwrecks, Recreational Boating, Naval Battle and More

Oswego, N.Y.  – H. Lee White Maritime Museum of Oswego and New York Sea Grant have announced a Virtual Exhibit Experience freely accessible at https://hlwmm.org/path_history.php and showcasing New York State's lighthouses, shipwrecks, naval military battles, and 100 years of freshwater boating. Teachers may contact the museum for assistance in using this resource in classrooms in the fall.

Related programs at Hudson River Museum celebrate Black life and culture, including discussion with authors and curators, art workshops, and more.
View press images here

Yonkers, NY, June 29, 2020—Hudson River Museum is delighted to announce that the groundbreaking exhibition, Derrick Adams: Buoyant will be extended through August 23, 2020. This is the first museum exhibition of Adams’ Floaters series, a collection of vividly painted portraits depicting Black people in various states of rest and play, buoyantly floating on calm waters. Adam’s site-specific installation We Came to Party and Plan—a newly created body of work that invites the viewer into a party atmosphere full of complexity—has been extended through October 18, 2020. …

Claryville, N.Y. — After months being stuck inside, families looking for a chance to immerse themselves in nature now have an ideal travel destination in the heart of the beautiful Catskill Mountains. Beginning July 7th through mid-September, Frost Valley YMCA is opening its 5,500-acre property to families who are invited to stay in a variety of accommodations at both its Main Camp and East Valley Ranch in Claryville, New York.

Highmount, NY – As the Catskill Region enters Phase 3 of NY Forward, Belleayre Mountain Beach plans to welcome guests this Sunday, June 28^th.

The Belleayre Beach will be open Wednesday through Friday 11:00am – 6:00pm and Saturday and Sunday 10:00am – 7:00pm.  It will operate on a reduced capacity and follow NY State protocols including the requirement of face coverings for guests within certain locations and public areas. (https://www.belleayre.com/todo/belleayre-beach/)…