Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Hike 1 (10:00am, 3 miles): Devil's Nose Hike: Join us for a quick paced hike to the new Devil's Nose trail for the first time! We will enjoy lake views while learning some of the history of Hamlin Beach State Park.

Hike 2 (1:30pm, 1.5 miles): Yanty Marsh Hike: Join us on this family-friendly walk as we explore the frozen Yanty Marsh looking for signs of winter critters.

Hosted by Saw Mill River Audubon and led by SMRA Board Member Larry Trachtenberg. Now an annual Saw Mill River Audubon tradition! Start off the year and your 2019 bird list with an invigorating walk along the Hudson River shoreline at Rockwood Hall. Dress warmly since it is often cooler by the river. Bring binoculars if you have them. SMRA will also have spotting scopes to share. Meet up location: Parking lot near Rockwood. Beginners encouraged!

Begin 2019 with a First Day Hike at Minnewaska! Come for a stimulating and refreshing two-mile snowshoe hike to two scenic overlooks in the Peter's Kill Area, both of which feature stunning views in clear weather. While the distance is relatively short, there are a few moderate hills, which may be difficult for some. A limited number of snowshoes are available for participants to borrow for this program from the education department, located at the Peter's Kill Area. When these run out, snowshoes may be rented for $5 per person. Early arrival is suggested if you would like to borrow snowshoes. If there is insufficient snow cover, this program will be offered as a hike and the hiking destination may change. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. Meet in the Peter's Kill Area. Pre-registration is required by calling Minnewaska at 845-255-0752.

Start your new year off right! Join us at Allegany State Park on January 1, 2019 for our Annual First Day Hike. Allegany's 1st Day Hike offers a healthy and relaxing way for people of all ages to get outside and enjoy the winter beauty of the area. The Environmental Education Department has put together a self-guided hike on Bear Paw located at the Summit Area of the Red House side of the park. The hike is 2.4 miles in length and easy to moderate in intensity. It begins at the Summit Warming Hut and follows the scenic ridgeline to Stone Tower, then loops back to the Warming Hut. Interpretive points of interest can be found along the way. Come listen to birds, feel the warmth of the sun or the coldness of the snow. This First Day Hike will run from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Participants should begin the hike by stopping in the Summit Warming Hut to sign in and pick up a trail map. Make sure you stop back at the Warming hut as The Friends of Allegany State Park host a free hot meal of chili provided by J-Con concessions. from 12:00- 2:00 pm. There also will be coffee, tea and hot chocolate.

Come join us on a New Year's Day hike through Bethpage State Park. Look for signs of rabbits, hawks, fox and owls along the trail. Bring water & snack; hike: rain, snow, or shine, only blizzard cancels.

Meet up location: Picnic area parking lot by rest rooms. From Rt 135: Take exit 8 to Powell Ave, Bethpage; go east; the first road on the north side is the entrance to the Polo Field and Picnic area. Go to the end of the road and you will be at the Rest Rooms and Play ground area

Start the New Year off with a hike through an old growth woods to the Niagara Gorge Rim Trail to view the Whirlpool and rapids. For more information & registration call (716) 282-5154.

Join Delta Lake State Park for a two-hour hike along the flat and smooth Red Trail. The meeting place will be at the 4 Seasons room in the beach bathhouse at 10am, parking is close to the building. There will be refreshments and a place to warm up after the hike.

Welcome the New Year with a walk in the park! If we have enough snow, we'll snowshoe. We'll leave from the Visitor Center and walk for about an hour, taking in views from the escarpment along the way. Dress in layers and wear warm winter boots. Register and reserve snowshoes by calling 518-872-0800. In case of extreme weather, call the park office at 518-872-1237 to confirm conditions.

This year's First Day Hike is called "WWI and Fort Ontario" Come enjoy a leisurely walking tour through the 75-acre reservation where hikers will be brought back to when Fort Ontario was General Hospital No. 5 during the Great War. Fort Ontario guide, Corey King will point out where buildings use to stand during this time in Fort Ontario's 263-year history.

Join us for a lovely jaunt through the wood and enjoy the winter scenery around Gilbert Lake. Hot beverages and light refreshments will be available in Briggs.

Start your New Year off right with an invigorating hike through Knox Farm and visit the park's largest trees! For more information & registration call (716) 549-1050.

Ring in the New Year with a history hike starting at 10:00am on Tuesday, January 1, 2019 around the perimeter of picturesque Peebles Island. Meet at the Peebles Island Visitor Center. The Perimeter Trail is an easy two mile hike.

Learn about the Native American presence on the Island, view existing earthwork fortifications from 1777, and discover the history of this strategic site. Dress for the weather and bring cameras and binoculars for a chance to see wildlife. Well-behaved dogs on leash are welcome.

This program is free and open to the public. Please send an email to friendsofpeebles@gmail.com or call (518) 268-2188 with questions.

Registration is not required but an email to the above address with the number of people in your group would help us to plan accordingly.

Check our website for any changes due to the weather: https://sites.google.com/view/friendsofpeeblesisland/home

Join park staff on a 2-mile guided hike through the unique natural features of Saratoga Spa State Park and afterwards, relax by the fire sipping hot cocoa in the Creekside Classroom.

Join us for an easy stroll along the water! This year we will be showcasing the new connection to the Cayuga-Seneca Canal Trail. We will be hiking to the far side of Rt. 96A and returning from there. Meet at Shelter #2.

Join us for a hike through beautiful Sunken Meadow State Park.

Meet at Field 4 for moderate, 3 mile hike.

Welcome the New Year with a walk in the park! If we have enough snow, we'll snowshoe. We'll leave from the Visitor Center and walk for about an hour, taking in views from the escarpment along the way. Dress in layers and wear warm winter boots. Register and reserve snowshoes by calling 518-872-0800. In case of extreme weather, call the park office at 518-872-1237 to confirm conditions.

Let's kickoff 2018 together! We will hike down the red trail across the creek to link up with the green trail which will lead into the field for a fantastic view of the Valley, then we will descend down to the yellow trail and find our way back to our starting point. Come explore some of what Two Rivers has to offer. We look forward to seeing you there.

Join the Friends of FDR State Park to visit the lesser known side of the park. Enjoy a brisk walk and visit the bridges built in 2016 and 2017.

Meet up Location: Pool Parking Lot, near the bench at the northern end

Our winter visitors are here! Come join us for a short talk about seals, then caravan with us to the shore line where we walk to view the seals in the Bay. Don't forget to bundle, and bring binoculars if you would like a closer view.

Our winter visitors are here! Come join us for a short talk about seals, then caravan with us to the shore line where we walk to view the seals in the Bay. Don't forget to bundle, and bring binoculars if you would like a closer view.

Join us for a 2 mile hike thru woodland trails to the Seal Haulout Site. Seals haul out on the rocks to sunbath in the winter temperatures.

Be ready to experience mature timberlands, wetlands and old cultural sites! (This event weather permitting, do people need to bring anything, refreshments afterward, etc.) The wood stove in Bowman Lodge will be going.

Meet up at the Pavilion Parking Lot. The approximate distance is 2.5 miles with a level of difficulty as a range of both easy and moderate. Leashed pets are allowed and no fees will be collected.

For more information please call Andrew Goeller (DEC) at 607-674-4036 x603 OR Thomas Brownell (PARKS) at 607-334-2718.

Join us for a first hike of this new year where we will observe and learn about Caumsett's grasslands, woodlands, and some of its historical/main features!

Join Clark Reservation for a first day hike!

Dress for the weather. Raffles - $1 each, $5 for 7 cash only. Drawn during the hike, so come back to the Nature Center afterwards to check for winners and have refreshments.

Kick-off the New Year with a leisurely hike around Green Lake (about two miles). Meet at the new Environmental Education Center. Arrive a little early to check out the new exhibits if you have not done so already. Dress for the weather! Sometimes the trail gets a little icy, so you may want to bring a hiking stick and wear boots with good traction. Friendly dogs on leash welcome, but not allowed in the Education Center. Green Lakes has over 20 miles of hiking trails, so if you if this hike isn't for you, find one you like to do on your own!

The event will start with a short presentation at the Hallock Visitors Center about local marine life and the dangers from humans they face in Long Island waters. The group will then take a one-mile hike (sandy and inclined grades) to and along the Hallock State Park Preserve beachfront on Long Island Sound to check for cold-stunned sea turtles and to pick up beach trash blown in by the winter storms.

Join us for a short hike on New Year's Day, and welcome the New Year. Hot cocoa and snacks will be served after the hike.

Meet up location: Park Office and Volunteer Center, 3011 Route 9D, Cold Spring NY 10516

2 choices: 1 mile on Little Stony Point and 3 mile on Cornish Estate Trail

Explore the open fields, and deep forests of Mine Kill State Park. Enjoy views of the Schoharie Valley, the Blenheim-Gilboa Reservoir, and maybe catch a glimpse of a bald eagle! (Moderate, 3-mile hike)

Hike is rain, snow or shine. Wear appropriate clothes for the weather. Bring your own water, snacks. Light refreshments will be provided.

Get outdoors to start off the New Year right! Join us for first day hike as we follow the nature trail around Moreau lake and end at the warming hut with refreshments provided by our friends group.

$2 for adults, $1 for children and seniors

Get outdoors to start off the New Year right! Join us for first day hike as we follow the nature trail around Moreau lake and end at the warming hut with refreshments provided by our friends group.

$2 for adults, $1 for children and seniors

Have you ever wanted to step into a piece of art? Now is your chance! Help us kick off the new year right by joining us for a walk along the artist-designed Ridge Road carriage drive, as we explore Olana as an inspiration for the creation of art through the centuries.

For Registration, please visit http://www.olana.org/calendar/

Join us to welcome in the new year as we explore the nature trails and look for wildlife in the diverse habitats of the park. Then head back for refreshments by the fireplace in the Nature Center!

We will hike down the Wehle road to the Snakefoot Trail following it for one mile along the shore of Lake Ontario to the picnic area and back up the Wehle road to the maintenance Building. (2 miles).

There will be sandwiches and hot chocolate and coffee and cookies after the hike. For those people participating is the hike will have free use of snowshoes and cross country ski during the hike.

Meet at the Lautenberg Visitor Center for a mild 4-mile hike around scenic Sterling Lake. Along the way hikers will enjoy historic remaining structures of the iron industry, some predating the revolutionary war.

Please wear sturdy shoes bring water and a snack. Event is weather permitting, if the hike is cancelled we will call all those who have registered.

Greet the New Year with an easy 1-mile hike north along the Aqueduct and atop the beautiful Croton Dam. Meet near the restrooms at the parking lot at Croton Gorge Park, Rte. 129, Cortlandt 10567. The leader of the hike will discuss the history and construction of the Old Croton Aqueduct and the features of the Croton Dam, the trailhead of the Aqueduct trail. The Aqueduct was completed in 1842 to supply water to New York City. Inquiries: Sara Kelsey, saraakelsey@gmail.com or 646-303-1448.

Join Chenango Valley State Park for a first day hike. There will be at least 2 separate hikes, one will be easy and the other will be moderate to difficult

Meet up location: Beach area- Great Hall

Approximate distance: 3-4 miles

Take a First Day Hike to start your first day right! We will walk 2 miles of our trails.

Easy to moderate; slight elevation change, unpaved trails, not wheelchair accessible but accessible guided walks will be available that morning upon request.

Meet up location: Nature Interpretive Center at 2351 Veterans Rd W Staten Island, NY 10309

Take a First Day Hike to start your first day right! We will walk 2 miles of our trails.

Easy to moderate; slight elevation change, unpaved trails, not wheelchair accessible but accessible guided walks will be available that morning upon request.

Meet up location: Nature Interpretive Center at 2351 Veterans Rd W Staten Island, NY 10309

Ring in the new year birding on snowshoes through Crown Point State Historic Site on the shores of Lake Champlain and Bulwagga Bay. Birding led by Stacy and Mark Robinson. Hot cider and cocoa served in the pavilion afterwards. All ages, approximately 90 minutes. Registration required. Email Lisa.polay@parks.ny.gov or call 518-597-4666.

Mark and Stacy Robinson live in Port Henry NY and actively enjoy many outdoor activities including hiking, kayaking, and birding. They have found the Crown Point SHS to be a exceptional location to see birds and have observed over 200 species on the property.

The Cornell Lab or Ornithology and the National Audubon Society launched eBird in 2002. eBird is an online database of bird observations providing scientists, researchers, and amateur naturalists real-time data about bird distribution and abundance. As a citizen-scientist Stacy has contributed over 4,400 checklists, or observations, into eBird's database including some 1,000 photos of 300+ birds species and more than 200 sound recordings.

The New Years Day bird walk may offer sightings of some visiting winter raptors including Bald Eagle and Rough-legged Hawk, songbirds including Dark-eyed Junco, Snow Buntings, or winter finches. Open water will likely host Scaup, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye and other waterfowl.

*Time is tentative and might change*

Join us for a walk to view the Niagara River and War of 1812 Cemetery, and to see the lighthouse and Old Fort Niagara from the parking lot (The Fort is Closed on New Year’s Day). There will be a tour of the Officer’s Club to view the paintings and visit the museum displays. We will also travel to the site where the POWs were held during WWII. For information and registration call (716) 282-5154.

Ring in the new year with an easy, yet invigorating winter walk along the Greenway, heading west along Griffin Creek and Olean Creek, where an abundance of wildlife can typically be seen.

Meet up location: Bull St., Cuba (42.216592, -78.283329)

Send email to: Kristine.Uribe@parks.ny.gov with "First Day Hike Reg" in the subject line OR Leave a message at: (585)493-3614

There are no bathroom facilities available, however, The Perfect Blend Coffeehouse & Eatery, located at 14 W Main St, Cuba, NY is less than a ½ mile away from the meet up location and a perfect place to grab a quick bite or a hot beverage before or after the hike

Ring in the new year with an easy, yet invigorating winter walk along the Greenway through both wooded and pastoral scenes, heading north from Canawaugus Park to Rt 383 and back.

Meet up location: Canawaugus Park, Scottsville, NY

Send email to: Kristine.Uribe@parks.ny.gov with "First Day Hike Reg" in the subject line OR Leave a message at: (585)493-3614

Bathrooms will be available at the municipal building located next to Canawaugus Park. This bathroom is unfortunately not handicapped accessible

Come walk our Shaver Pond trail to celebrate the New Year in the outdoors! We will enjoy picturesque views of water and woods on this 2 mile outing, over moderate terrain. Enjoy some hot cocoa and warm up in our Welcome Center after the hike!

Meet at the Humphrey Nature Center for all hike options

Hike #1 – Families with younger children. Letchworth CSI – Who Done It?: Journey on a wooded loop less than one mile on nearly level terrain to observe frozen bogs and Trout Pond.

Hike #2 – Exploratory Walk. Winter Wander Between Ponds: Using deer trails and other paths, this 1 ½ mile journey explores the area between Trout Pond and Pine Pond.

Hike #3 – Families with older children. Exotic Trees from Other Lands and State & National Champions: Two-mile loop to Inspiration Point, the Glen Iris Fountain and Middle Falls with more than 200' descent and 200' ascent along trails, roads and stairs.

Hike #4 – Faster paced, longest hike. Winter Hike to View the Great Bend: Three or more mile outing to view the park's deepest canyon from several vantage points along the Gorge Trail.

Kick start your New Year's resolutions with a hike on the grounds of John Jay Homestead. Warm up by the bonfire with a cup of hot cocoa. Pick up your self-guided landscape your between 1pm and 2pm at the registration table in our main parking lot.

Meet at the Humphrey Nature Center for all hike options

Hike #1 – Families with younger children. Letchworth CSI – Who Done It?: Journey on a wooded loop less than one mile on nearly level terrain to observe frozen bogs and Trout Pond.

Hike #2 – Exploratory Walk. Winter Wander Between Ponds: Using deer trails and other paths, this 1 ½ mile journey explores the area between Trout Pond and Pine Pond.

Hike #3 – Families with older children. Exotic Trees from Other Lands and State & National Champions: Two-mile loop to Inspiration Point, the Glen Iris Fountain and Middle Falls with more than 200' descent and 200' ascent along trails, roads and stairs.

Hike #4 – Faster paced, longest hike. Winter Hike to View the Great Bend: Three or more mile outing to view the park's deepest canyon from several vantage points along the Gorge Trail.

Begin 2019 with a First Day Hike at Minnewaska! Join us for a two-and-a-half-mile snowshoe hike to Awosting Falls. Starting from the Peter's Kill Area, participants will hike briefly on the Awosting Falls Connector Footpath and then journey up the scenic Awosting Falls Carriage Road, which has a gentle incline as it approaches Awosting Falls. If weather conditions are cold enough, a frozen volcano-like structure forms at the base of the waterfall. A limited number of snowshoes are available for participants to borrow for this program from the education department, located at the Peter's Kill Area. When these run out, snowshoes may be rented for $5 per person. Early arrival is suggested if you would like to borrow snowshoes. If there is insufficient snow cover, this program will be offered as a hike. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. Meet in the Peter's Kill Area. Pre-registration is required by calling Minnewaska at 845-255-0752.

Choose from two different hikes:

Ice House Chimney hike – hike a beautiful, wide, flat, hard packed dirt trail with occasional views of the Hudson River. The destination is 2.5 miles down the Orange trail. The hike will be led by a guide who will share information about the ice industry during the late 1800's. The hike will return to the parking area via the same route.

Campground hike will allow people the opportunity to walk around the campground and down the yellow trail for a short circle back to the main park area. Families with small children and shorted the hike if necessary. The guide for this hike will share information about the park and it's flora and fauna. This hike will last 45 minutes to an hour.

Hot chocolate and coffee will be provided, if weather dictates unsafe conditions than event will be cancelled and posted on the Schodack Island Facebook page. Those planning to go on the 5-mile hike should wear sturdy boots, dress in layers, and carry a water bottle

Please join us for an easy hike to Bash Bish Falls. It's a great way to welcome the new year in a healthy way with friends and family including the four legged kind. After, we'll have a roaring fire and roast some marshmallows.

Start off the New Year by making a healthy resolution you will love to keep: a breath-taking hike at Taughannock Falls. Join the Finger Lakes Regional Educator for a hike down and back on the Gorge Trail! If you are up for more of a challenge you can continue up to the Overlook on the North Rim trail, across to the Multi-use trails and then make your way back to the parking lot. Plan on being outside for at least 2 hours (more if you hike all 5 miles), please dress for the weather, bring water and wear appropriate footwear. We will meet at the start of the Gorge Trail by NYS Route 89.

Join us for a relaxing walk through the beautiful Connetquot River Preserve.

Meet at the Main House for an easy, 2.5 mile hike.

Join us for an afternoon stroll as we welcome the 1st day of the New Year at the falls! Stories will be told along the way in America's oldest state park! For more information & registration call (716) 282-5154.

Join The Walkway over the Hudson State Historic Park on our annual legendary historic first day hike.

Meet up location: Center bump out on the walkway at the Flag pole