New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation

Leave your phone at home and go play in the snow! It may be cold outside but at a state park near you there are dozens of recreation opportunities to keep you moving and stay warm. Whether you're sledding, snowmobiling, ice skating, cross-country skiing or relaxing by a fire like Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons, there is always something new and exciting to try. Learn about Governor Hochul's $200 million Executive Budget proposal for State Parks and other initiatives like "Unplug and Play" that will help New Yorkers connect to nature: https://loom.ly/plSn_dM

Talk about jumping right in to get the job done! Zach Diaz replaces an older ice eater with a new one at Norrie Point Marina in Staatsburgh to prevent ice damage to the marina's structures. We're grateful for such dedicated team members!

Explore the exciting evolution of New York State Parks in the late 20th century by reading our latest 'Blazing a Trail' blog post! From the Rockefeller brothers to the steady leadership of Commissioner Orin Lehman, learn about the dynamic figures who helped lay the foundation for our modern-day state park system. https://loom.ly/nOMoOPY

New York State Park Police Officers are highly trained specialists, dedicated to preserving the peace, as well as protecting our visitors and natural resources. Hear more from Officer Chris Amorim about his journey to serve New York State by being a State Park Police Officer and promoting safety at our properties.

Honoring our best: agency and Park Police leadership recognized 17 officers for outstanding service and courageous acts at a ceremony at the Park Police Academy. Many of their colleagues and families attended. Read their stories and see photos from the ceremony: https://loom.ly/hPkk8Y4

During World War II, the famed Harlem Hellfighters became the first all-Black combat unit assigned to a technical role in the U.S. military, a key step towards desegregation. Their training took place at Fort Ontario in Oswego, one of the historic sites in our system. Explore more Black history at state historic sites: https://loom.ly/3biZ3tI.

Major preservation work is now underway at the original meeting place for the New York State Senate! As part of a $1.8 million renovation, Senate House State Historic Site in Kingston will see a new period-appropriate roof and drainage system installed, in addition to other repairs which will preserve this important historic site for decades to come. Learn more about Senate House's rehabilitation and how New York State Parks is preserving New York's rich history. https://loom.ly/0f3p3K4

Local businesses are the backbone of New York State. Cataloguing more than 200 neighborhood staples, our Historic Business Preservation Registry includes the oldest Black-owned funeral home in the northeast. The Garland Bros. Funeral Home in Albany joined the registry in early January and has been part of its community for nearly 100 years. Learn about this historic business and how the registry works in this week's featured article. https://loom.ly/ZkwHegs

Meet the K9 Class of 2025! Bear, a German Shepherd, and Campano, a German Wirehaired Pointer, celebrated their graduation last weekend. Bear and Campano will be stationed in the Capital Region and work with Officers Michael Maychack and Jonathan Luke in explosives detection and tracking.

We have a pass for everyone! Check out your options for free or low cost admission to our state parks, historic sites, golf courses and more! https://loom.ly/3nz02hE