Bear Mountain State Park

Weekly Car Show 

Wednesdays
6:00 - 9:00 P.M.

 

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Minnewaska State Park Preserve   

May Programs    

Minnewaska State Park Preserve offers a variety of family programs that introduce visitors to the park and provide unique educational experiences to patrons.

Programs require pre-registration. To reserve your spot, please call the Park Office at

845-255-0752.   

May Programs at Minnewaska include:

For more details about May events at Minnewaska, download the announcement.  

Sterling Forest Park Preserve 

Fort Montgomery        

Thursday Night Lecture Series 

May 7, 2015   

7:00 PM

In this illustrated lecture, David A. Steinberg blazes the trail to more than twenty-five unusual landmarks and hard-to-find destinations, many of which are located in the Hudson Valley. His book includes many new ruins and historic sites to see: remnants of the two World's Fairs in Queens, mysterious stone chambers scattered about northern Westchester County, winter adventuring in Harriman State Park and quarries that contain amazing artifacts. He leaves no part of the trip unplanned and even suggests ideal conditions for outings. Book signing follows.  

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the overwhelming popularity of the Thursday Night Speaker Series seating is by reservation only and is limited to the first 50. You may reserve seats by calling 845-446-2134. Please leave your name, phone number and number of people in your party.

The Thursday Night Lecture Series is sponsored by the

Fort Montgomery Battle Site Association.

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Perils to the Palisades     

The Perils to the Palisades

21st Annual Communicator Awards   

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NY-NJ Trail Conference          

Volunteers Needed!   

This fall marks 95 years that the NY-NJ Trail Conference has been Connecting People with Nature. But without the hard work of our dedicated volunteers, we never would have been able to near that milestone. As we prepare to enter our second century of service, we need your help in continuing our mission of creating, protecting, and promoting a network of over 2,000 miles of public trails.

In Harriman, Bear Mountain, and Sterling Forest State parks, the Trail Conference is looking for volunteers to help out on the Appalachian Trail. Become a part of the dynamic AT Committee and supervise our maintainers over a 20-mile section of this historic trail, from the NY-NJ border through Sterling Forest, ending at Route 17. Contact Volunteer Coordinator John Leigh ([email protected], 201.512.9348 x22) for more info.

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Senate House

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Preparing For a New Year: An 18th Century Spring and Garden Fair

To the colonial farmer, spring marked the start of a new year and a time of new beginnings. Spring is the time when fields are plowed and gardens are planted, their bounties enjoyed throughout the year. It was a time to repair fences, shear the sheep, clean the house, and get the farmstead in order for the upcoming new year.

Join the staff and volunteers of Senate House State Historic Site as they celebrate the arrival of spring. On Saturday May 16, 2015 from 11am-3pm, they will plant a vegetable garden and offer demonstrations of sheep shearing, spinning, weaving, and beekeeping. Get into the spirit of the season and make a kite to fly on a windy day and sample switchel, a thirst quenching drink brought into the fields while planting. Garden vendors, including Adams Fairacre Farms and Herzog's, will be on site to sell plants and garden accessories. The Ulster Garden Club will have a booth with information on gardening. The Stockade Garden Society will be planting a garden in front of the Senate House. Enjoy the magic of Levram the Great: The Colonial Conjurer, performing 18th century magic to dazzle one and all.

The event is free and everyone is invited to attend. Guided tours of the Senate House will be provided by costumed interpreters at the usual rate of $4.00 for adults, $3.00 for seniors, ages 12 and under are free.

For more information, please contact Deana Preston, Senate House State Historic Site (845) 338-2786.

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Trailside Museums & Zoo

Public Program

May 16, 2015

10:30 - 11:30 A.M.

Bear Basics: Foraging and Enrichment

Come to Trailside Zoo on Saturday, May 16th.  Guests ages 8 and up will learn about black bear foraging behavior, and how we encourage this in a zoo setting. They'll create feeder toys for our resident black bears and watch as the bears explore their new toys at Trailside Museums and Zoo.

Space is limited for his event, so please register in advance. You can do so, or get more information about the event, by contacting Catherine Policastro at 845-786-2701 x293 or [email protected].  

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New Windsor Cantonment

Memorial Day Weekend

May 24-25, 2015

1:00 - 4:30 P.M.

On Memorial Day weekend, there will be a series of events at the New Windsor Cantonment.

On Sunday, May 24 at 2 PM historic balladeer Linda Russell performs traditional American patriotic music in the Temple Building. The concert is in the site's Temple building.

On Monday, May 25, visitors to the Cantonment will see soldiers performing musket drills, blacksmithing and other activities performed at the original encampment.  Following the concert soldiers will fire their muskets and a cannon on the "Grand Parade", the very field where George Washington's announcement of impending peace was first read to the Army over 200 years ago. At 2:00 PM that day New Windsor site staff, in 18th century dress, will perform a ceremony at the site cemetery to honor America's soldiers and their families.

Admission is free to events on both days. 

For more information please call the site at (845) 561-1765 ext. 22.  

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Trailside Museums & Zoo

Public Program

May 30, 2015

10:30 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

Pollination Palooza Program

Expand your knowledge of native pollinators with this fun, family friendly, educational program at Trailside Museums and Zoo at Bear Mountain State Park.

On Saturday, May 30, 2015 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. we will discuss the various animals that help pollinate our world with a special focus on bees. Learn how honeybees communicate to one another through a fun dance and how many native bee species live in New York. In the end, you will bring home a mason bee hotel and the knowledge to help out your local pollinators. All activities are geared to engage children as well as adults.

There is limited space available for the program and advance registration is required. Register by contacting Emma Congalton: 845-786-2701 x293 or [email protected].     

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Upcoming Event    

PPC Annual Benefit Gala  

June 12, 2015
6:30 PM

The Bear Mountain Inn at 100

On Friday evening June 12, 2015 the Conservancy will host its annual benefit gala. That night, we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Bear Mountain Inn and honor those who have helped to make the Inn such a wonderful place to visit throughout its century-long history

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Harriman State Park

New Outdoor Center

The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) announced on April 29 that it has signed an agreement with the PIPC to open a new outdoor program center at Harriman State Park in summer 2016. AMC will invest more than $1 million to renovate a former youth camp on Breakneck Pond and offer group programs.

Updates and improvements will start this spring, with a focus on preserving the site's undeveloped, wild character. As part of the agreement with PIPC, AMC will renovate existing group cabins, tent platforms, and shelters to offer a range of overnight experiences, in addition to building new remote camping sites. PIPC will make needed infrastructural improvements, including restoring utilities and water to the site. 

AMC shuttle service connecting to nearby train stops will provide public transportation options. 

For more information, visit: The Appalachian Mountain Club.

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Bergen Wheels for Meals

5th Annual Ride to Fight Hunger

June 14, 2015

Enjoy a family-friendly cycling event supporting JFS in its efforts to help feed the hungry in Bergen County.  

On June 14th, Wheels for Meals have rides ranging from easy to difficult for all levels of riders. The routes include a 50 mile, a new 35 mile, 25 mile, 10 mile and 3 mile ride. Bring your non-riding friends and family members for a casual walk as well.

Food, beverages and entertainment will be provided, as well as a chance to win prizes. Please help JFS make a difference!

For more information, or to register, please visit: Bergen Wheels for Meals.

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Path Through History    

Path Through History Weekend      

June 20-21, 2015

Save the Date!

In 2012, Governor Cuomo unveiled New York's "Path Through History," a statewide roadmap that ties historically and culturally significant sites, locations, and events throughout New York State. This effort to highlight our rich heritage aims to not only showcase the state's history and cultural significance but also promote tourism and economic development in communities in every region.

Path Through History Weekend is comprised of events that are heritage and cultural celebrations and special programming that promote the unique history of our State. This year, Path Through History Weekend will be June 20-21. With hundreds of museums and heritage sites offering special programming throughout the state at the start of the summer tourism season, this year is sure to be the most successful yet!

Registration is NOW OPEN! If you'd like to register an event for the Path Through History Weekend, please do so at: I Love NY.   

For more information, visit Path Through History Weekends.

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Popolopen Bridge Construction

 

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Protect the Palisades 

Protect the Palisades, a coalition of individuals and organizations in New Jersey, New York, and across America, is working to preserve the Hudson River Palisades. The coalition has come together in response to the current threat posed by LG Electronics' plan to build a towering corporate headquarters that will violate the Palisades' historic landmark views. Millions of residents and visitors have enjoyed the spectacular cliffs and parkland that have been preserved for over 100 years through the hard work and goodwill of many civic groups and prominent citizens. We need your help to save the Palisades again! Please visit www.protectthepalisades.org to join the movement.

"The building can be redesigned. The Palisades and the Hudson River cannot." 

The Threat to the Palisades: An Op-ed written by four former New Jersey Governors published in The New York Times.  

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The Palisades Parks Conservancy