Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

July 22, 2011

Dan Keefe
(518) 486-1868

Governor Cuomo Directs State Parks Department to Offer Extended Hours at Swimming Facilities and State Parks During Heat Wave

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced he has directed the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to offer extended hours at state swimming facilities and other state parks during the current heat wave as a way to help New Yorkers beat the heat. The extended hours will begin today and continue through Saturday evening.

"One way to stay cool during this severe heat wave is to visit one of our beautiful state beaches, pools and parks. These high temperatures can be dangerous if New Yorkers don't take the proper precautions. I am pleased that the state will offer these extended hours to help New Yorkers beat the heat," Governor Cuomo said.

"I'm pleased to work with Governor Cuomo to offer more opportunities for New York families to cool off during this heat wave. I cannot think of a better place to be on a hot summer day than one our great state parks," said Rose Harvey, Commissioner, Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation


The following State Park swimming facilities will be open for extended hours on Friday and Saturday:

• Long Island: The ocean beaches at Jones Beach, Robert Moses, Sunken Meadow and Hither Hills State Parks, and the swimming pool at Jones Beach, will remain open until 8:30 pm.
  
• New York City: Pool hours are extended at Roberto Clemente State Park in the Bronx until 8 pm, and sprinklers are provided at Gantry Plaza State Park in Queens and East River State Park in Brooklyn.
  
• Niagara Region: Beaver Island, Evangola, Fort Niagara, and Wilson-Tuscarora State Parks will remain open until 8 pm.
  
• Genesee Region (Rochester area): The swimming beaches at Hamlin Beach and Darien Lakes State Parks, along with the North Pool at Letchworth State Park, are open until 8 pm.
  
• Central Region (Syracuse/Utica areas): The swimming beaches at Green Lakes, Verona Beach, Delta Lake and Sandy Island Beach State Parks will open from 10 am to 8 pm, rather than 11 am to 7 pm.
  
• Saratoga-Capital Region: The Victoria Pool in Saratoga Spa State Park, the swimming pool at Minekill State Park, and beaches at Thompson's Lake, Moreau Lake, and Grafton Lakes State Parks will remain open until 8 pm.
  
• Allegany State Park: Red House and Quaker Area beaches will be open one hour later until 7 pm.
  
• Taconic Region (Hudson Valley): Swimming beaches at Taconic (Copake Falls and Rudd Pond), Lake Taghkanic and Fahnestock State Parks will remain open until 7 pm. The swimming pool at FDR State Park will remain open until 6:30 pm on Friday and 7:30 pm on Saturday.
  
• Thousand Islands Region:  Several beaches in the Thousand Islands region will stay open until 8 including, swimming beaches as Westcott Beach, Southwick Beach, Pt. au Roche, and Robert Moses, and the swimming pool at Keewaydin.
  
• Palisades Region: The swimming beaches at Lake Welch, Lake Tiorati, and Sebago Beach in Harriman State Park will remain open until 8 pm. The Bear Mountain swimming pool will remain open until 6:30 pm on Friday and 7:30 pm on Saturday. The swimming pool at Rockland Lake will remain open until 8 pm, and the pool at High Tor will remain open until 7:30 pm. Swimming at Minnewaska State Park will be extended by one hour.
  
• Finger Lakes Region: The swimming beaches at Buttermilk Falls, Cayuga Lake, Fair Haven Beach, Fillmore Glen, Keuka Lake, Long Point, Robert H. Treman, Sampson, Taughannock Falls, and the pool at Watkins Glen will be open until 8pm on Friday, July 22 and Saturday, July 23.

Additional parks may offer extended hours. Please check www.nysparks.com for information.                                                                           
 
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