Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Join us for a hike in 2022 at a different State Park every month, on trails less traveled! For every Passport to Parks program attended, earn a sticker specific to each park, for your booklet. Earn 6 stickers for a water bottle and 10 to be entered into a raffle for an Empire Passport! Reservations are taken two weeks prior on Eventbrite.com and search for #NatureEdventure.

Join Laura Conner, Environmental Educator, on a guided hike to see all the stunning views from the numerous scenic vistas along the east side of Lake Minnewaska. Our first stop will be the last remaining, historic, summerhouse gazebo, which sits perched above the Lake. From here, we'll continue our walk to reach the site of the former historic Cliffhouse Hotel. Marvel at the spectacular views that former guests would have had out across Lake Minnewaska to the distant Catskill Mountains. Next, we'll drop down to the Beacon Hill Footpath, which offers a broad vista of the Wallkill Valley, including distant views of Storm King and Breakneck Mountains, as well as the iconic stone observation tower, Skytop, to the north. The last leg of our journey includes another cliff edge viewpoint that offers scenic vistas of the Catskill Mountains and the Trapps area. This modest hike, which follows along a combination of carriage roads and a footpath, is approximately two-and-a-half miles long and does include some hills and rocky sections of footpath. Your guide stays with the group the entire trip, offering answers to your questions about the cultural and natural history of this special Park Preserve. All participants should come well prepared with appropriate footwear, food, and water. Meet at the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center. Pre-registration is required by calling Minnewaska at 845-255-0752.

Free (but $10 parking fee), easy, 2 miles/2 hours (total) loop hike north along the Aqueduct and atop the beautiful Croton Dam. Meet near the restrooms at the rear (south end) of the parking lot at Croton Gorge Park, Rte. 129, Cortlandt, NY. 10567, GPS Coordinates: 41°13′34" N 73°51′21" W. 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 Old Croton Aqueduct Trail. The Aqueduct was completed in 1842 to supply fresh water to a thirsty New York City. (From Metro-North Hudson Line Croton-Harmon Train Station: 15-minute taxi.) Required: pre-registration (limited number); bring masks; and social distancing. Walk may be rescheduled if weather does not cooperate. Register: https://aqueduct.org/events