The Beat

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.

First Trail in U.S. Designed Specifically for Autism Spectrum Disorder Communities and Families

Project Supported By More Than $3.3 Million in Private Funds

Photos Available Here

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the nation's first nature trail specifically designed to address the sensory needs of those with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities is open at Letchworth State Park in western New York State. Supported by more than $3.3 million in private fundraising, the new Autism Nature Trail is a one-mile hiking loop that includes eight marked sensory stations, each designed to address a different sensory experience in a safe and supportive environment.

$1.2 Million Project Will Improve 2.5 Miles of the Erie Canalway Trail in the Mohawk Valley

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is rehabilitating a 2.5-mile section of the Empire State Trail from the City of Little Falls to Herkimer Home State Historic Site, in Herkimer County. The trail segment is also part of the Erie Canalway Trail.

"The Empire State Trail is the ideal destination to enjoy our state's scenic beauty and extraordinary history, and we are continuing to invest in making the trail even more inviting for healthy outdoor activities," Governor Hochul said. "Outdoor recreation is a big economic engine for our state, and for countless vendors along the trail's path who rely on the tourism year-round, and projects like this help to ensure the long-term vitality of our regional economies."…

DEC Encourages New Yorkers to Avoid Crowded Destinations and Recreate Responsibly during State's Ongoing Response to COVID-19

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today is encouraging outdoor enthusiasts to explore less-traveled destinations instead of crowded hotspots while following the principles of Leave No Trace. In anticipation of visitors looking to get outside over the upcoming holiday weekend, Commissioner Seggos called on visitors to do their part to protect all State Lands for future generations by packing out what they bring in and not leaving litter behind. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, DEC is also reminding hikers and visitors to use common sense guidelines for smart and safe recreation, including incorporating social distancing and wearing a face mask, planning trips ahead, choosing a destination close to home, and visiting at off hours. …

Prepare for Arduous Conditions; Pack out your Trash; Avoid Sensitive Ecology; Respect Fellow Visitors and Those Working to Protect Our Wild Places

With the recent increase in outdoor recreation leading to record numbers of visitors to areas of the Adirondack and Catskill Parks and issues with trash and unprepared hikers causing impacts to natural resources, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today reminded hikers and other visitors to the High Peaks Wilderness to follow the common-sense rules and recommendations in place to protect public safety and the sensitive plants and wildlife. These measures are in place to promote a shared respect for the resources, as well as respect for other visitors and the workers and volunteers tasked with protecting the Adirondacks, Catskills, and the forests, trails, lakes, and rivers throughout the State.

9th Annual Event Encourages Families and Friends to Spend Jan. 1 Holiday Enjoying Nature at State Parks, Historic Sites, Wildlife Areas and Public Lands

New Yorkers can greet 2020 with a choice of 85 guided hikes at state parks, historic sites, wildlife areas, trails and public lands sponsored by the state Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation and the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

Now in its ninth year, the annual First Day Hikes program includes a variety of events, from seal watches along an Atlantic Ocean bay and a bird count in the Capital Region, to hikes to fire towers in the Adirondacks/Catskills, along parts of the historic New York City drinking water system in the Hudson Valley, waterfalls in the Finger Lakes region and historic forts along the Great Lakes.