Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

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15 events matched your search
Wed 06 Nov
Homeschoolers at Minnewaska: Mosses, Mushrooms, and Lichen
Wednesday, November 6, 2024 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
With the last of the trees shedding their leaves, late autumn begins to feel like a time of grayness and death. However, not everything gets the memo. Join Josh Grosse, Student Conservation Association/Americorps Environmental Educator, as we dive into the exceptional world of mosses, lichens, and mushrooms. We will discuss the role of each organism in the ecosystem, and why their rebellious greenness and growth persists into the cold months. Our discussion will be followed by an appreciation walk, where we will look at examples of each and make close observations using magnifying glasses. This program is recommended for children between the ages of seven to twelve years old, accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. Well-behaved younger siblings are always welcome. Meet at the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center. Pre-registration is required by calling the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center at 845-255-0752.
Registration: Required
Thu 17 Oct
Homeschoolers at Minnewaska: Fall Foliage
Thursday, October 17, 2024 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
As autumn is ushered in, Minnewaska's green landscape becomes peppered with flecks of red, yellow, and orange. Excellent views of the surrounding valleys are matched by equally amazing educational opportunities. We will start this lesson in the Visitor Center, where each student will use a leaf press booklet to create their own identification guide. We'll use this tool as we take a two-to-three-mile hike along one of the Park Preserve's many carriage roads. We will make friends with trees, getting to know them by touch, smell, and sight. We'll also hear their story about how they grew from seed to adult, before giving them a big hug. We will also play some leaf matching games to try out our identification skills! This program is recommended for children between the ages of seven to twelve years old, accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. Well-behaved younger siblings are always welcome. Meet at the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center. Pre-registration is required by calling the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center at 845-255-0752.
Registration: Required
Thu 05 Sep
Homeschoolers at Minnewaska: Eyes to the Sky: Raptors and Vultures
Thursday, September 5, 2024 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Many birds call Minnewaska home, including impressive birds of prey and fascinating scavengers. In this homeschool program, we will observe these important animals both up close and from afar. We will discuss their roles in the ecosystem, from carnivores at the top of the food chain to the vulture's equally valuable job as nature's cleanup crew. After our lesson, we will walk up to a beautiful view on the east side of Lake Minnewaska, where we will play a game and look for large groups of migrating hawks and soaring vultures using binoculars. This program is recommended for children between the ages of seven to twelve years old, accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. Well-behaved younger siblings are always welcome. Meet at the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center. Pre-registration is required by calling the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center at 845-255-0752.
Registration: Required
Thu 20 Jun
Homeschoolers at Minnewaska: June Bloom
Thursday, June 20, 2024 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
As flowers begin blooming around Minnewaska, we will take a meandering walk through the Lake Minnewaska area to identify different flora and discuss biodiversity at the Park Preserve. Students will get a chance to engage almost all of their senses as we discuss the anatomy of the flower, their role in the ecosystem, and the importance of pollination and preservation. A fun art activity will be offered throughout our hike to further immerse students in this beautiful and educational experience. This program is recommended for children between the ages of seven to twelve years old, accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. Well-behaved younger siblings are always welcome. Meet at the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center. Pre-registration is required by calling the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center at 845-255-0752.
Registration: Required
Thu 16 May
Homeschoolers at Minnewaska: Forest Mysteries
Thursday, May 16, 2024 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Minnewaska is no stranger to unique natural features. With its sparkling white cliffs, centuries-old, dwarf, pitch pines and huge boulders that appear to have fallen from the sky, you might wonder how the landscape came to be. Bring your homeschooled children for a chance to explore these mysteries and more. Park educators will teach concepts in the areas of geology, ecology, and natural history as we take a hike to explore these curiosities. This program is recommended for children between the ages of seven to twelve years old, accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. Well-behaved younger siblings are always welcome, but please note that this program will involve hiking. Meet at the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center. Pre-registration is required by calling the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center at 845-255-0752.
Registration: Required
Sat 04 May
13th Annual I Love My Park Day at Minnewaska
Saturday, May 4, 2024 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
This event is part of more than 100 cleanup, improvement and beautification events happening statewide. I Love My Park Day is an exciting statewide event to improve and enhance New York's State Parks and historic sites and bring visibility to the entire state park system and its needs. Volunteers will clean up park lands and beaches, plant trees and gardens, restore trails and wildlife habitat, remove invasive species and work on various site improvement projects. Specific events will be listed shortly. Call the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center at 845-255-0752 or the Sam's Point Visitor Center at 845-647-7989 for more information.
Tue 30 Apr
Early Morning Birders at Minnewaska
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Designed for both birding enthusiasts and those just looking to learn the basics, this weekly series will offer outings led by Nick Martin, Park Preserve Educator, or an experienced birding volunteer. Participants should bring binoculars and water and wear hiking shoes or boots. Outing destinations will be determined the day of the program. Poor weather conditions will trigger a program cancellation. Participants will meet at the Lake Minnewaska entrance. Participants MUST arrive prior to the start of the program. The Park Preserve gates will be locked at 8:00 am. Late arrivals will NOT be allowed in the Park Preserve. The total number of participants for this program is limited to twenty-five individuals. Meet at the Lake Minnewaska entrance. For questions, please call 845-255-0752 or email Nicholas.Martin@parks.ny.gov. This program is set up on a first-come, first-served basis.
Sun 28 Apr
Hike around Lake Minnewaska and along the Cliff Edge Beacon Hill Loop
Sunday, April 28, 2024 09:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Join Laura Conner, Environmental Educator, for a three-mile hike along the Lake Minnewaska Carriage Road, Beacon Hill Footpath, and Beacon Hill Carriage Road. We'll walk the picturesque route around the Lake from west to east, stopping along the way for all the scenic vistas. Then, we'll hike the Beacon Hill Footpath, which follows along the top edge of an east-facing escarpment and offers beautiful views of the Rondout and Wallkill Valleys below and the Catskill Mountains to the north. The carriage roads are relatively easy walking; however, the footpath does include some hills and tricky footing. Meet at the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center. Pre-registration is required by calling the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center at 845-255-0752.
Registration: Required
Sat 27 Apr
Earth Day Celebration at SUNY New Paltz
Saturday, April 27, 2024 12:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Stop by and visit Josh Grosse, Student Conservation Association/AmeriCorps member, and Nick Martin, Park Educator, at their informational table on campus at the Old Main Quad at SUNY New Paltz. Enjoy music, vendors and other themed activities on campus to celebrate Earth Day.
Fri 26 Apr
Birding at the Gardiner Library
Friday, April 26, 2024 08:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Are you interested in birds or birdwatching? Join Nick Martin, Park Preserve Educator, for bird walks starting at the Gardiner Library, every Friday during April. During this program, we will take an approximately one mile walk on the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail and wander through Majestic Park, which can be muddy and wet, especially after a rainfall. Participants are encouraged to wear waterproof boots or shoes, bring binoculars, and a birding field guide, or field guide installed into a smart device. Interested participants are welcome to attend one or all of these programs. The total number of participants for this program is limited to fifteen individuals. Meet at the Gardiner Library, in the Lower Parking Area. No pre-registration is required. For more information, please contact the Gardiner Library directly at 845-255-1255 or email Nicholas.Martin@parks.ny.gov.
Tue 23 Apr
Tuesday Trek: Hike around Lake Minnewaska and along Beacon Hill Footpath
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 09:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Join Laura Conner, Environmental Educator, for a three-mile, loop hike along the Lake Minnewaska Carriage Road, Beacon Hill Footpath and Beacon Hill Carriage Road. We'll walk the picturesque route around the Lake from west to east, stopping for all the scenic vistas along the way. Then, we'll hike the Beacon Hill Footpath, which follows along the top edge of an east-facing cliff line and gets bathed in the warm, morning light. This walk will offer beautiful views of the Rondout and Wallkill Valleys as well as the Catskill Mountains to the north. The carriage roads are relatively easy walking; however, the footpath does include some hills and tricky footing. Meet at the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center. Pre-registration is required by calling Minnewaska at 845-255-0752.
Registration: Required
Tue 23 Apr
Early Morning Birders at Minnewaska
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 08:00 AM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Designed for both birding enthusiasts and those just looking to learn the basics, this weekly series will offer outings led by Nick Martin, Park Preserve Educator, or an experienced birding volunteer. Participants should bring binoculars and water and wear hiking shoes or boots. Outing destinations will be determined the day of the program. Poor weather conditions will trigger a program cancellation. Participants will meet at the Lake Minnewaska entrance. Participants MUST arrive prior to the start of the program. The Park Preserve gates will be locked at 8:00 am. Late arrivals will NOT be allowed in the Park Preserve. The total number of participants for this program is limited to twenty-five individuals. Meet at the Lake Minnewaska entrance. For questions, please call 845-255-0752 or email Nicholas.Martin@parks.ny.gov. This program is set up on a first-come, first-served basis.
Sun 21 Apr
The Short and Scenic Route to Gertrude’s Nose at Minnewaska
Sunday, April 21, 2024 09:30 AM - 02:30 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Join Laura Conner, Environmental Educator, for an adventurous, six-mile hike to Gertrude's Nose and back on the same route. This footpath, which traverses an escarpment edge, offers one of the most expansive views in Minnewaska. From our start at Lake Minnewaska, this route will follow Millbrook Mountain Carriage Road to Gertrude's Nose Footpath, which offers broad views of the Wallkill Valley, Taconic Mountains, and beyond. This modestly challenging hike includes a steep rock scramble, a few hills, and some tricky footing. Participants must bring water, snacks, and lunch and wear appropriate hiking shoes. Meet at the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center. Pre-registration is required by calling the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center at 845-255-0752.
Registration: Required
Sat 20 Apr
Scenic Loop Hike to Rainbow Falls and Lake Awosting at Minnewaska
Saturday, April 20, 2024 09:30 AM - 02:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Join Nick Martin, Park Preserve Educator, for an approximately seven-mile hike towards Lake Awosting on a combination of carriage roads and footpaths. Starting from the Lower Parking Area, participants will hike on Lower Awosting Carriage Road until we reach the intersection with Rainbow Falls Footpath. From here, we'll hike the entirety of this interesting and moderately challenging footpath, past Rainbow Falls and to its conclusion at the intersection with Castle Point Carriage Road. Then, we'll hike towards Castle Point, which offers spectacular panoramic views on a clear day. From here, we'll hike the Blueberry Run Footpath back to Lower Awosting Carriage Road, and then return back to our starting point. The footpaths may include challenging conditions for some, including slippery rocks and tree roots. A few sections of the Rainbow Falls Footpath require some rock scrambling, which may be difficult for some. Some other sections of trail may be muddy and wet. Participants are highly encouraged to wear waterproof boots and bring plenty of food and water. Meet at the Lower Parking Area. Pre-registration is required by calling the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center at 845-255-0752.
Registration: Required
Fri 19 Apr
Birding at the Gardiner Library
Friday, April 19, 2024 08:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Are you interested in birds or birdwatching? Join Nick Martin, Park Preserve Educator, for bird walks starting at the Gardiner Library, every Friday during April. During this program, we will take an approximately one mile walk on the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail and wander through Majestic Park, which can be muddy and wet, especially after a rainfall. Participants are encouraged to wear waterproof boots or shoes, bring binoculars, and a birding field guide, or field guide installed into a smart device. Interested participants are welcome to attend one or all of these programs. The total number of participants for this program is limited to fifteen individuals. Meet at the Gardiner Library, in the Lower Parking Area. No pre-registration is required. For more information, please contact the Gardiner Library directly at 845-255-1255 or email Nicholas.Martin@parks.ny.gov.