The Beat

Providing New Travel and Recreation Opportunities for Cyclists and Pedestrians in Binghamton

New Shared-Use Path Along State Route 434 Links Downtown Binghamton to South Side Neighborhoods and Binghamton University

Investment Complements "Southern Tier Soaring" – The Region's Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the opening of a new 2.5-mile bicycle and pedestrian Greenway along the south side of State Route 434 Vestal Parkway in Broome County that provides new opportunities for recreation and environmentally friendly transportation in the Town of Vestal, City of Binghamton, and across the Southern Tier.

Supported with $1.22 Million from Ralph C. Wilson Foundation

New 3.6-Mile Trail Expands Access to Popular Quaker Lake Beach Area for Campers, Hikers and Bikers

Historic Ferris Wheel to Open at Midway State Park  

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of a new $6.8 million multi-use trail at Allegany State Park that provides an accessible alternative for bikers, hikers and campers to reach the park's popular Quaker Lake beach area. The new trail is open in time for the summer camping season at Allegany State Park, which boasts the largest campground in the state park system.

All Canal Locks and Lift Bridges Operating Today through October 11th

Free On the Canals Excursions Return with Expanded Offerings

Champlain Canal Celebrates Bicentennial

Photos & Video: First Vessels Entering Erie Canal At Waterford 

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the opening of the 2023 Navigation Season for the 524-mile New York State Canal system, kicking off the 199th consecutive opening of the historic waterways. Locks and lift bridges on the Erie, Champlain, Oswego, and Cayuga-Seneca Canals will operate daily today through October 11th, providing opportunities for boating, fishing, and sightseeing to tourists, canal enthusiasts and all New Yorkers.

Events at 100 State Parks, Historic Sites, Wildlife Areas, Canal Trails and Public Lands on New Year's Day

12th Anniversary of Hikes Encourage New Yorkers to Spend January 1 Holiday Enjoying Nature

Governor Kathy Hochul today encouraged New Yorkers to spend time in the outdoors this holiday season and celebrate the New Year at state parks, historic sites, wildlife areas, canal trails, and public lands across the Empire State on January 1, 2023. The First Day Hikes program is offering 100 varied hike options for people across the state to enjoy. …

Frontier Town Gateway Shuttles Provide Free Transport from North Hudson for Thru-Hikers and Fall Foliage Viewers

Service on Select August and October Weekends Helps Promote Safety on Roads to Popular Trailheads 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Essex County are launching a new shuttle route to help manage safe, sustainable visitation to backcountry destinations in the Adirondack High Peaks. The new route builds on the existing Route 73 shuttle and will run on select summer and fall weekends from Frontier Town Gateway in North Hudson to provide convenient and safe transportation to some of the region’s most scenic locations.

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced today that the pedestrian bridge near the Franklin Street entrance to the Watkins Glen State Park Gorge Trail will be closed for renovation this season. A temporary bridge will be installed in the coming weeks to ensure access to the gorge for the summer. The gorge trail will open by Memorial Day weekend, but visitors may need to use other points of entry until the temporary bridge is installed.

Transfer of Jurisdiction from DOT to DEC for Tupper Lake-to-Lake Placid Section

Progress Continues along Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor

The New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Transportation (DOT), in cooperation with the Office of General Services (OGS), today announced the completion of the transfer of jurisdiction for a 34-mile segment of the Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor. This portion of the future Adirondack Rail Trail between Tupper Lake and Lake Placid was transferred from DOT to DEC, marking the official start of the trail’s design and construction phase and the conversion of the railbed into a shared-use path for hikers, bikers, cross-country skiers, and snowmobile enthusiasts.

Who:            PBS Stations in the Greater Cap. Dist., Eastern New York, Hudson Valley, and New York City

What:         The Travels with Darley series includes a full episode on New York’s 750-mile Empire State Trail

When:        WMHT(Greater Cap. Dist., Eastern NY, Hudson Valley) on Sat., Feb. 26 at 9:30am; WNYE (NYC) on Wed., March 2 at 1:30pm

Where:       https://www.wmht.org/findwmht/#ota

About the Episode: Travel along New York’s Empire State Trail, which stretches from New York City to the Canadian Border with host Darley Newman in this new episode of the "Travels with Darley" series on PBS and Ovation TV's JOURNY. Hike and bike the trail, stopping in small towns and big cities for craft beer, local arts and culture.

Hiking Challenge Returns, Highlights Opportunities for Recreation in the Catskill Park

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the 2022 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge, designed to highlight the world-class tourism destinations and recreational opportunities in New York’s Hudson Valley. Starting Jan. 1, 2022, visitors are challenged to hike each of the six fire towers in the Catskill Park and submit information about their visit at any time during the year to earn recognition and prizes.

At State Parks, Historic Sites, Wildlife Areas and Public Lands

11th Annual Event Offers More Than 75 Hikes for New Yorkers to Spend Jan. 1 Enjoying Nature with Friends and Family

Governor Kathy Hochul today encouraged New Yorkers to spend time in the outdoors this holiday season and celebrate the New Year at state parks, historic sites, wildlife areas, trails, and public lands across the Empire State on January 1, 2022. The variety of hikes offered include seal walks, fire tower treks, lakefront trails, boardwalks, towpaths, walks along waterfalls, historic estates, military forts and more.