The Beat

Center Will Welcome Visitors and Introduce Them to the 24,000-Acre Preserve

NY Parks 2020 Initiative Leverages Public-Private Investment to Modernize Minnewaska State Park Preserve Gateway

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced today the opening of a new visitor center at the Minnewaska State Park Preserve on the Shawangunk Ridge. A public-private partnership with the Open Space Institute created the modern facility overlooking Lake Minnewaska to welcome and guide visitors arriving to explore the 24,000-acre preserve and provide public amenities and education and programming space. The project installed modern facilities necessary to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors to the park needed since the administration of Governor Mario Cuomo acquired the site of a former resort hotel in 1987. The new visitor center caps a $27 million public-private multi-phase investment to modernize the gateway to Minnewaska State Park Preserve under Governor Cuomo's NY Parks 2020 initiative.

Partnership with LIPA, NYSERDA, and NYPA Creates Modern Educational Facility for Long Island's Most-Visited State Park

Facility Advances Understanding of the Interplay between Human Action, Energy Use, and Environmental Conservation

Project Continues Comprehensive Revitalization of Historic Jones Beach State Park

Photos Available Here

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the opening of the Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center. The center opens during Climate Week and will educate and inform the public about how energy shapes New York's natural systems, and how this same energy can be harnessed to advance New York's nation-leading plan to combat climate change. Established by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation - in partnership with the Long Island Power Authority, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, and the New York Power Authority - the pioneering facility will help visitors of all ages become better stewards of the environment and smart energy consumers. …

Staatsburg, N.Y. (9/10/20) —This fall, Staatsburgh State Historic Site invites families and groups of friends to explore the beautiful grounds of the Gilded Age estate (now Mills Memorial State Park) by taking a photographic scavenger hunt challenge. A phone with a camera and some walking shoes are all that is needed to complete ten fun riddles on a loop through the beautiful landscape along the Hudson River. All ages are invited to participate. Learn about some of the highlights of the historic grounds around the mansion while having fun! Find the signs located near the mansion with the QR code for “Virtually Staatsburgh” to download the clue sheet, or visit https://millsfriends.org/virtual/family-fun/ .

On Her 75th Birthday, Marsha P. Johnson State Park Becomes First State Park in New York to Honor LGBTQ Person and Transgender Woman of Color

State Will Improve Park Facilities and Install Public Art Celebrating Marsha P. Johnson and the LGBTQ Movement - Largest Investment in Park Since Opening

Images Are Available Here

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the dedication of East River State Park in Brooklyn for the late LGBTQ civil rights activist Marsha P. Johnson. On her 75th birthday, Marsha P. Johnson State Park will become the first state park in New York to honor a LGBTQ person and transgender woman of color. The State will improve park facilities and install public art celebrating Johnson's life and her role in the advancement of LGBTQ rights. The improvements represent the largest investment in the park since its opening.

Upgrades at Southwick Beach Include New Bathhouse and Concessions, Restored Dunes for Storm Resiliency, Environmentally-Sensitive Parking Lot 

Westcott Beach Improvements Include Eight New Accessible Cottages with Full Kitchens and Bathrooms

 Photos Available Here 

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the completion of improvement projects at Southwick Beach State Park and Westcott Beach State Park, on the eastern shore of Lake Ontario. The first major improvements to the popular beachfront parks in 50 years, upgrades at Southwick Beach feature a new bathhouse and concession building, as well as restored dunes and new "green" parking lots that enhance resiliency and protection of water quality. At Westcott Beach, eight new accessible cottages, with fully equipped kitchens and full bathrooms, were built on a bluff with a commanding view of the lake.

Newburgh, NY (July 14, 2020) – Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site will be opening its buildings to the public again.  

Since the onset of Covid-19 guidelines that restrict access to public interior spaces, the magnificent grounds, and “Around the Grounds,” a self-guided outdoor tour of the Site, have been the only offerings.  

Starting July 8^th, both the Museum, which features over 1,300 objects from the collection, and the historic Hasbrouck House, where the General made his headquarters for 16 ½ months at the end of the Revolutionary War, will be open for visitors on a limited basis:…

$6.6 Million Total Investment Includes a New Mini-Golf Course, Refurbished and New Court Games, Benches, Tables, Fencing and Lighting

Builds on Over $100 Million in Projects to Restore Jones Beach State Park Since 2011

Photos Available Here  

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the completion of $6.6 million in improvements to Jones Beach State Park. At the park's West Games Area, the renovation features a new mini-golf course, refurbished and new court games, new benches, tables, fencing and lighting, and additional site improvements. This work is part of the Governor's NY Parks 2020 Plan, and also includes $1.9 million in federal Land and Water Conservation Funding.

New and improved gaming areas include new cornhole and pickleball courts as well as refurbished courts for shuffleboard and paddle tennis.

DEC and State Parks Launch ‘Play Smart * Play Safe * Play Local’ Campaign to Encourage New Yorkers to Recreate Responsibly during State’s Ongoing Response to COVID-19

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) have launched the PLAY SMART * PLAY SAFE * PLAY LOCAL Campaign to encourage all New Yorkers to recreate safely, responsibly, and locally this summer and to always treat fellow outdoor adventurers with respect. The campaign invites people to take the PLAY SMART * PLAY SAFE * PLAY LOCAL pledge, and promise to use common sense to protect themselves and others when enjoying the outdoors.

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.