Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

September 13, 2012

Dan Keefe
518-486-1868

New York State Parks Launches Free Mobile App

Oh, Ranger! NY State Parks App Connects Users to the Outdoors

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation has partnered with American Park Network to launch the official Oh, Ranger! NY State Parks, a free iPhone application (app) that gives visitors on-the-go the ability to access valuable park information. This new app includes more than 200 state parks, historic sites, golf courses, campgrounds and nature centers with amenities, directions and links to important numbers and services. State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey said, "This tool is a great use of technology and the perfect customer service enhancement. More and more of our 58 million visitors each year are utilizing smart phones, and this new app will provide accurate, up to date data to explore the outdoors. We are grateful to our partners at American Park Network who developed this resource -- at no cost to the taxpayers and free to the public to download."

The Oh Ranger! NY State Parks app is designed to provide everything a visitor would need to become familiar with a property, including contact information, directions, amenities, maps and events. Information is updated regularly in partnership with state park officials. Users can search by zip code and desired activity to find locations near them to go hiking, camping, boating, birding, and discover historic sites, nature centers and more.

With much of the information embedded, users do not need the Internet to display park information, an important feature as some parks may have limited connectivity. Additionally, social media sharing allows users to post photos and share experiences with friends and family via Facebook and Twitter to help get inspire more people to explore the outdoors. The app also provides an opportunity for users to submit comments which will add even more benefits to the platform, creating a trusted citizen/government partnership resource for state park information.

"We're excited to collaborate with the state to provide the Oh, Ranger! NY State Parks app as a free public service," said Mark Saferstein, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief at American Park Network and OhRanger.com. "We hope this will serve as an example of how public/private partnerships can help connect more people with the great outdoor experiences available throughout the state."

The app is initially available for iPhone and iPod touch (it works on an iPad too), with an Android version soon to follow. To download the Oh, Ranger! NY State Parks app, visit the iTunes App store at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/oh-ranger!-ny-state-parks/id548664594?mt=8, scan the QR code or go to www.nysparks.com.

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 178 state parks and 35 historic sites. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.