Celebrate I Love My Park Day!

Our state is blessed with many wonderful parks and historic sites that offer incredible scenic views, an opportunity to unplug from high-tech gadgets and gear, and, most importantly, reconnect with New York’s great outdoors.

This coming Saturday, May 7, is “I Love My Park Day,” a statewide event dedicated to celebrating New York’s terrific parks and historic sites, as well as bringing visibility to our park system and its needs. Throughout I Love My Park Day on Saturday, people are encouraged not only to visit, but to sign up to volunteer and help enhance New York’s beautiful parks and historic sites.

I am proud to have supported increased funding to strengthen our wonderful state parks that add so much to our special quality of life. To learn more, and to sign-up for I Love My Park Day, visit these informational websites:

http://www.ptny.org/events/i-love-my-park-day

http://nysparks.com/events/my-park-day.aspx

http://parks.ny.gov/

And also be sure to visit the wonderful parks throughout our 43rd Senate District (parks listed below) as part of I Love My Park Day on Saturday. Thank you!

Columbia County:

Hudson River Islands State Park

Hudson River

Coxsackie, NY 12192  (518) 732-0187

Accessible only by boat, the islands of Gay’s Point and Stockport Middle Ground are home to many rare and endangered plant and animal species providing a scenic backdrop for Hudson River Islands State Park.

http://www.nysparks.com/parks/98/details.aspx

Lake Taghkanic State Park

1528 Route 82

Ancram, NY 12502  (518) 851-3631

Located next to Lake Taghkanic in the rolling hills and lush forests of Columbia County, the park offers activities including swimming, hiking, fishing, boating and camping.

http://www.nysparks.com/parks/38/details.aspx

Taconic State Park - Copake Falls Area

Route 344

Copake Falls, NY 12517  (518) 329-3993

Located in Taconic State Park, Copake Falls is known for its rustic camping experience. The oldest park in the region offers many activities for campers and day visitors to enjoy.

http://nysparks.com/parks/83/details.aspx

Rensselaer County:

Cherry Plain State Park

10 State Park Road

Petersburgh, NY 12138  (518) 733-5400

Cherry Plain is located on Black River Pond and offers a variety of outdoor recreation activities. Explore the hiking and biking trails, camping area, or go swimming in the pond.

http://nysparks.com/parks/173/details.aspx

Grafton Lakes State Park

100 Grafton Lakes State Park Way

Cropseyville, NY 12052  (518) 279-1155

Located on the forested mountain ridge between the Taconic and Hudson Valleys, the park includes five ponds and 2,357 acres featuring hiking, fishing, swimming, and boating.

http://nysparks.com/parks/53/details.aspx

Schodack Island State Park

1 Schodack Island Way

Schodack Landing, NY 12156  (518) 732-0187

Hudson River and Schodack Creek shoreline bound the 1,052-acre site. The park has been designated a State Estuary, as well as a Bird Conservation Area.

http://nysparks.com/parks/146/details.aspx

Saratoga County:

Moreau Lake State Park

605 Old Saratoga Road

Gansevoort, NY 12831  (518) 793-0511

Amid hardwood forests, pine stands and rocky ridges and shady groves of trees the park offers Moreau Lake surrounded by a sandy beach, camping and picnic grounds, and hiking trails.

http://www.nysparks.com/parks/150/details.aspx

Peebles Island State Park

1 Delaware Ave

Waterford, NY 12188  (518) 237-8643

Peebles Island offers spectacular river and rapids views for walkers and joggers who take advantage of the miles of paths through the gently rolling and wooded landscape. Picnickers and fishermen come to relax and winter visitors use the facilities to cross-country ski, hike and snowshoe.

http://nysparks.com/parks/111/details.aspx

Saratoga Lake State Boat Launch

Route 9P, Saratoga Lake  (518) 584-2000

Saratoga Lake State Boat Launch, located on Route 9P on beautiful Saratoga Lake, is open year-round and has parking capacity for up to 100 trailers.

http://nysparks.com/parks/120/details.aspx

Saratoga Spa State Park

19 Roosevelt Drive

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866  (518) 584-2535

A National Historic Landmark, the park is noted for its cultural, aesthetic and recreational resources. Music, theater, golf and a spa are just some of the park’s many amenities.

http://nysparks.com/parks/saratogaspa/details.aspx