Press Release
October 15, 2015
Randy Simons | Dan Keefe
(518) 486-1868 | news@parks.ny.gov
Celebrate Halloween with New York State Parks
Events statewide encourage families to spend the holiday enjoying the outdoors
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) invites the public to celebrate the fun of Halloween and the fall season in state parks and historic sites this October.
"Just as state parks and historic sites offer family-friendly activities year-round, our holiday-themed events have something for everyone," said State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey. "From getting to the bottom of whether our historic sites are really haunted, to trick-or-treating through our 'wicked' woods, I encourage our visitors to enjoy this time of year by experiencing the outdoors in a fun new way while spending time together."
In addition to the popular haunted tours at Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion and Clermont and Old Fort Niagara State Historic Sites, visitors can experience a variety of spooky celebrations statewide. Belmont Lake State Park will set sail to 50 carved pumpkins, host a Frankenstein on stilts, and more during the annual Great Jack-o'-Lantern Spectacular Sail. At Bear Mountain State Park's "Boo at the Zoo," families can make snacks for the zoo's two bears to enjoy among other crafts and activities. For those who wish to work off the holiday's sweet treats, the Walkway Over the Hudson offers extended hours on most October weekends, and runners can try to outpace the 'undead' along the course of Saratoga Spa State Park and Mine Kill State Park's zombie races.
Some events require pre-registration and/or an admission fee, please check http://nysparks.com/events/ for specifics.
Central
"Ghost Tours & Reveal" at Fort Ontario State Historic Site - October 16 & 17
"Ghoulish Gathering" at Glimmerglass State Park - October 16 & 17
"Wicked Woods" at Green Lakes State Park - October 24
"Fall Festival" at Gilbert Lake State Park - October 24
Finger Lakes
"Mansion Mysteries" at Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion - October 16, 17, 18, 23, 24
"Haunted Garden Stroll" at Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion - October 25
Genesee
"Nature Walk - St. Helena: Ghost Town of the Genesee" at Letchworth State Park - October 29
Long Island
"Tiny Tots, Nature Discoveries: The Pumpkin Patch" at Caleb Smith State Park Preserve - October 22
"2015 Great Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular Sail" at Belmont Lake State Park - October 24
"Fun for Kids: Spooky Scavenger Hunt" at Connetquot River State Park Preserve - October 25
"Family Fun: Mysteries of the Dark" at Connetquot River State Park Preserve - October 30
"Family Fun: Halloween Scavenger Hunt" at Caleb Smith State Park Preserve- October 31
"Family Fun: All Things Spooky Hike and Seek" at Camp Hero State Park - October 31
New York City
"The Magical Herbs of Halloween" at Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve - October 17
"Haunted Hikes" at Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve - October 17, 24, 31
"Harvest Festival" at Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve - October 24
Palisades
"Oktoberfest" at Anthony Wayne Recreation Area - October 17, 18, 24, 25
"Boo at the Zoo" at Bear Mountain State Park's Trailside Zoo - October 24
"It Was Dark Back Then..." at Knox Headquarters State Historic Site - October 24
"Forest Spirit Mask Making for Kids" at Minnewaska State Park Preserve - October 31
Saratoga/Capital Region
"Scary Creatures Program for Preschoolers" at Peebles Island State Park - October 22 & 29
"Zombie Run 5k AND S'cary County Halloween Festival" at Mine Kill State Park - October 24
"8th Annual Trick or Treat Nature Trail" at Grafton Lakes State Park - October 24
"Halloween Walk" at Moreau Lake State Park - October 24
"The 2015 RUNDEAD" at Saratoga Spa State Park - Oct. 25
"Nature's Creepy Mystery Trail" at Thacher State Park - October 31
Taconic
"Legends by Candlelight Ghost Tours" at Clermont State Historic Site- October 16, 17, 23, 24
"Walktoberfest" at Walkway Over the Hudson - October 16, 17, 23, 24
"OCA Bike Ride" at Old Croton Aqueduct - October 31
Western NY
"Haunted Fortress" at Old Fort Niagara State Historic Site - October 17 & 24
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 180 state parks and 35 historic sites, which are visited by 62 million people annually. A recent study found that New York State Parks generates $1.9 billion in economic activity annually and supports 20,000 jobs. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow on Twitter.
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