Press Release
June 29, 2006
For Release: Immediate
Press Contact:
Wendy Gibson
Catherine Jimenez
518.486.1868
State Parks Welcomes Visitors For Holiday Weekend
Parks and Historic Sites Host Activities and Special Events for Patrons
(Albany, NY... June 29, 2006) New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Bernadette Castro is reminding New Yorkers that as the weather improves, state parks and historic sites across the state are open for the extended Independence Day weekend. Many of the properties are hosting special programming and events to mark the holiday.
"From the awe-inspiring fireworks show at Jones Beach to historic re-enactments at Old Fort Niagara to family-fun hikes in the Hudson Valley and Thousand Islands, New York's award-winning state park system is offering our patrons a wide range of activities and programs over the next five days," said Commissioner Castro. "Celebrating the holiday at our state parks is a tradition for many families and friends, and we look forward to welcoming visitors to the great outdoors as the skies clear and temperatures rise."
For day use visitors, each of the eleven state park regions has properties and facilities with special events. And, with the exception of a small number of state park campgrounds in Central New York whose operations have been impacted by the recent flooding, campsites remain available on a walk-in basis at select sites and facilities in other regions. Patrons can contact individual parks directly for camping availability this weekend.
Due to heavy rains and storm damage, Pixley Falls State Park in Boonville, Oneida County, has been closed for camping and day use until further notice. Camping patrons with reservations at Pixley Falls should contact Delta Lake State Park at 315.337.4670 for information about obtaining a refund or availability at other camping parks. Due to high water, swimming may be limited Thursday, June 29 and Friday, June 30 at state park beaches in the Central and Finger Lakes regions. Patrons should contact the parks directly for updated information about swimming availability.
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 176 state parks and 35 state historic sites. For more information on any of these recreation areas please call 518.474.0456 or visit the web site at http://www.nysparks.com.
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