Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Are you interested in birds or birdwatching? Join Nick Martin, Park Educator, in this third installment of a four-part series. During this program, we will take a walk on the trails near the library. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars, a birding field guide or a smart device with a field guide installed. A few binoculars will be available for loan for participants who may not have their own binoculars. Interested participants are welcome to attend one or all four programs. For more information, please contact the Gardiner Library directly at 845-255-1255.

Come celebrate Earth Day weekend at Minnewaska by hiking one of our favorite footpaths within the Park Preserve! Join Nick Martin, Park Educator, for an adventurous eight-mile round trip hike to Gertrude's Nose, which offers one of the most expansive views in Minnewaska. Our route will follow a combination of carriage roads to reach the Gertrude's Nose Footpath, a cliff-edge trail offering magnificent views of the Hudson Valley. While this portion of the trail is less than three miles long, some participants may find it challenging, as it includes numerous rocky sections, a few rock scrambles and a few steep ascents and descents. All participants should come well prepared with appropriate footwear, food and water. Meet at the Minnewaska Nature Center. Pre-registration is required by calling Minnewaska at 845-255-0752.

Join Laura Conner, Environmental Educator, for a scenic two-and-a-half-mile hike in the Peter's Kill Area to reach two picturesque vistas. Our route will ascend a hill on the Bullwheel Footpath to reach the intersection with the High Peter's Kill Footpath. From this point, the hike will follow the trail a modest distance in each direction to reach gorgeous vistas of both the Clove Valley and the Rondout Valley from rocky cliff edge perches. Then, we'll continue to follow the High Peter's Kill Footpath to create a loop, passing along the edges of a rushing stream and up a hill through a quiet forest. Meet at the Peter's Kill Park Office. Pre-registration is required by calling Minnewaska at 845-255-0752.

Designed for birding enthusiasts, or those just looking to learn the basics, this series will offer various outings led by experienced birding volunteers and park naturalists. Participants will meet at the Minnewaska main entrance and should come prepared with binoculars. Outing destinations will be determined the day of the program.

Join Laura Conner, Environmental Educator, and Stefan Ramirez, Student Conservation Association/AmeriCorps Educator for this five-mile hike along the Lake Minnewaska Carriage Road, Millbrook Mountain Carriage Road and Millbrook Mountain Footpath. The gorgeous views from the cliff on top of Millbrook Mountain include the Sky Top tower and the verdant Wallkill Valley below. Raptors are often seen soaring beneath the cliff. The footpath does feature a steep hill up and down, as well as a stream crossing and some potentially tricky footing. Participants should pack water and food and wear appropriate shoes. Meet at the Minnewaska Nature Center. Pre-registration is required by calling Minnewaska at 845-255-0752.

Are you interested in birds or birdwatching? Join Nick Martin, Park Educator, in this fourth installment of a four-part series. During this program, we will take a walk on the trails near the library. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars, a birding field guide or a smart device with a field guide installed. A few binoculars will be available for loan to participants who may not have their own binoculars. Interested participants are welcome to attend one, or all four programs. For more information, please contact the Gardiner Library directly at 845-255-1255.

Are you interested in birds or curious about getting into birdwatching? Then, this birding basics program, which will focus on basic identification tips, how to prepare for a birding outing and advice on binoculars, is for you. Join Park Educator, Nick Martin, as we discuss some of these points, and afterwards take an approximately two-mile walk through the fields and forests of a former golf course at Minnewaska. Participants who have their own binoculars and field guides are encouraged to bring them. A few pairs of binoculars will be available for participants who do not have their own. Meet at the Minnewaska Nature Center. Pre-registration is required by calling Minnewaska at 845-255-0752.

Join Stefan Ramirez, Student Conservation Association/AmeriCorps Educator, and Laura Conner, Environmental Educator, for a hike along the Jenny Lane section of the Shawangunk Ridge Trail and the Blueberry Run Footpath, through a section of forest that was burned during the 2008 wild fire. Our route will begin with a one mile hike on the Wawarsing Turnpike Footpath, a section of the toll road built in the 1850s that crossed the Shawangunk Mountains. We conclude our hike along the verdant Mossy Glen Footpath, which follows along the edge of the Peter's Kill stream. This five-mile-long hike includes some hilly sections, two stream crossings and lots of walking on exposed bedrock. Meet in the Awosting Parking Area. Pre-registration is required by calling Minnewaska at 845-255-0752.

Register: https://ptny.wufoo.com/forms/z180ah6l0nc9k6s/

Project 1: Volunteers will perform and assist with the following tasks to repair a section of bog bridge: Carrying lumber one half mile into the Jenny Lane Footpath to the work site, removing/replacing broken boards, raising the height of the bog bridge, starting work on building a new section of bog bridge and more. Some tasks will be physically demanding and may involve carrying, lifting and bending as well as using hand tools, such as hammers, hand saws, shovels, rock bars and sledge hammers. It is recommended that volunteers bring waterproof boots and clothes they don't mind getting dirty, as this project area may be potentially muddy and wet. Appropriate for 13 and up. Please bring garden gloves, water, snack

Project 2: Volunteers will enhance sections of the Jenny Lane Footpath by clipping back overgrown vegetation along the sides of the trail with hand tools. Starting at the intersection of Jenny Lane Footpath and Route 44/55, volunteers will hike approximately a mile and a half of this footpath, clipping back vegetation as needed. Appropriate for children 12 and under. Please bring garden gloves, water, snack

For questions about this event:
Call: 845-255-0752
Email: Nicholas.Martin@parks.ny.gov