The Beat

Inclusive and Accessible Day of Family-Friendly Recreation and Fun Taking Place at DEC, State Parks, and Other Public Lands Across New York State 

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced “Get Outdoors & Get Together Day” will be held on Saturday, June 8, with events at more than 20 select locations across New York State to bring people of all abilities, ages, identities, and backgrounds together for a day of fun, healthy activities.

Bear Mountain, NY (May 24, 2024) – Ten months after the historic storm that led to its closure, the Appalachian Trail at Bear Mountain State Park will reopen for Memorial Day weekend 2024. Additionally, the previously closed sections of the Major Welch and Suffern – Bear Mountain trails will also open to hikers.

Hudson Link Buses Transport Thousands of Pedestrians and Bicyclists to Popular Shared-Use Path Each Year

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that Hudson Link's free weekend shuttle bus servicing the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge shared-use path will restart service this Saturday, May 25, and continue every weekend through Sunday, October 27. Pedestrians and cyclists will once again be able to use this easy and convenient service to access one of the longest and most scenic shared-use paths in the country. The shuttle service will operate from select locations in Westchester and Rockland counties and transport passengers to the path’s landing sites on either side of the Hudson River.

Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) and the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) release a new handbook to guide grassroots advocates through the steps to take the vision for a new multi-use path from concept to reality.

Albany, NY (January 16, 2024) – PTNY and OPRHP today announced the release of the Trails Across New York: A Grassroots Guide to Developing Greenway Trails. The new resource provides detailed information to support Greenway trails development in communities around the state.

Providing New Travel and Recreation Opportunities for Cyclists and Pedestrians in Binghamton

New Shared-Use Path Along State Route 434 Links Downtown Binghamton to South Side Neighborhoods and Binghamton University

Investment Complements "Southern Tier Soaring" – The Region's Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the opening of a new 2.5-mile bicycle and pedestrian Greenway along the south side of State Route 434 Vestal Parkway in Broome County that provides new opportunities for recreation and environmentally friendly transportation in the Town of Vestal, City of Binghamton, and across the Southern Tier.

Supported with $1.22 Million from Ralph C. Wilson Foundation

New 3.6-Mile Trail Expands Access to Popular Quaker Lake Beach Area for Campers, Hikers and Bikers

Historic Ferris Wheel to Open at Midway State Park  

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of a new $6.8 million multi-use trail at Allegany State Park that provides an accessible alternative for bikers, hikers and campers to reach the park's popular Quaker Lake beach area. The new trail is open in time for the summer camping season at Allegany State Park, which boasts the largest campground in the state park system.

All Canal Locks and Lift Bridges Operating Today through October 11th

Free On the Canals Excursions Return with Expanded Offerings

Champlain Canal Celebrates Bicentennial

Photos & Video: First Vessels Entering Erie Canal At Waterford 

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the opening of the 2023 Navigation Season for the 524-mile New York State Canal system, kicking off the 199th consecutive opening of the historic waterways. Locks and lift bridges on the Erie, Champlain, Oswego, and Cayuga-Seneca Canals will operate daily today through October 11th, providing opportunities for boating, fishing, and sightseeing to tourists, canal enthusiasts and all New Yorkers.

Events at 100 State Parks, Historic Sites, Wildlife Areas, Canal Trails and Public Lands on New Year's Day

12th Anniversary of Hikes Encourage New Yorkers to Spend January 1 Holiday Enjoying Nature

Governor Kathy Hochul today encouraged New Yorkers to spend time in the outdoors this holiday season and celebrate the New Year at state parks, historic sites, wildlife areas, canal trails, and public lands across the Empire State on January 1, 2023. The First Day Hikes program is offering 100 varied hike options for people across the state to enjoy. …

Frontier Town Gateway Shuttles Provide Free Transport from North Hudson for Thru-Hikers and Fall Foliage Viewers

Service on Select August and October Weekends Helps Promote Safety on Roads to Popular Trailheads 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Essex County are launching a new shuttle route to help manage safe, sustainable visitation to backcountry destinations in the Adirondack High Peaks. The new route builds on the existing Route 73 shuttle and will run on select summer and fall weekends from Frontier Town Gateway in North Hudson to provide convenient and safe transportation to some of the region’s most scenic locations.

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced today that the pedestrian bridge near the Franklin Street entrance to the Watkins Glen State Park Gorge Trail will be closed for renovation this season. A temporary bridge will be installed in the coming weeks to ensure access to the gorge for the summer. The gorge trail will open by Memorial Day weekend, but visitors may need to use other points of entry until the temporary bridge is installed.