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The Best Gifts from Schoharie County

Showing posts with label Mine Kill. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mine Kill. Show all posts

Mine Kill Hosting "I Love My Park Day" on May 2

Written By Cicero on 4/22/15 | 4/22/15

Please join Parks and Trails New York, the Friends of Mine Kill and Max V. Shaul State Parks and thousands of volunteers from across the state on Saturday, May 2nd, 2015, from 9am to 3pm, for a great day of fun and service during I Love My Park Day.  Participants will have the opportunity to make a difference at one of the best kept secrets in the northern Catskills –Mine Kill State Park.  To pre-register, please go to http://www.ptny.org/ilovemypark/ , go to www.nysparks.com or contact the Mine Kill office at (518) 827-8690 for more information.
Mine Kill State Park is located in the scenic Schoharie Valley overlooking the New York Power Authority’s Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project.  The reservoir provides excellent fishing and boating opportunities.  The eight miles of trails, including trails from the Park to the NYPA Visitor Center such as the nationally designated Long Path, are great for hiking, biking and birding.  Cascading 80 feet through a narrow gorge is the picturesque Mine Kill Falls for which the Park is named.  Mine Kill also features the only 18-hole/36-basket, permanent disc golf course at a state park in the Saratoga-Capital Region.    
During I Love My Park Day, volunteers will plant shrubs and trees as part of a beautification of the park entrance and picnic areas, thanks to generous contributions from Home Depot of Oneonta, NY. Participants can also join forces for some much needed trail maintenance along the eight miles of trails in addition to the newly constructed disc golf course.  Assistance is also requested along the Blenheim-Gilboa Reservoir to help pick up trash and debris along the waterfront. Volunteers are encouraged to bring work gloves, a water bottle and comfortable clothing. All other tools and equipment will be provided by the park.

There will also be a picnic barbecue with hot dogs, hamburgers, and refreshing beverages sponsored by Stewart’s Shops.  The barbecue is free to all I Love My Park Day volunteers!  Other snacks and vegetarian options will be provided by the Friends of Mine Kill and Max V. Shaul State Parks.  Registered volunteers will receive complimentary Stewart’s Shops refreshments as well as a commemorative I Love My Park Day 2015 t-shirt and other free giveaways.




I Love My Park Day is coordinated at the statewide level by Parks and Trails New York in partnership with New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Friends groups and park staff will oversee cleanup, improvement and beautification projects and work alongside volunteers.  

I Love My Park Day is sponsored statewide in 2015 by LL Bean, AT&T, Brookfield, the Corning Incorporated Foundation, The New York State Business Council, Price Chopper and America’s Best Value Inn.  Locally, I Love My Park Day at Max V. Shaul is sponsored by the Friends of Mine Kill and Max V. Shaul Group, Stewart’s Shops, Home Depot- Oneonta and the Schoharie County Soil and Water Conservation District.

About Friends of MK & MVS State Parks: The Friends of Mine Kill & Max V. Shaul State Parks are proud supporters of preservation, education, and recreation at the parks. We volunteer often at the parks, and assist in programming and development of the parks for present and future generations. Our group is open to everyone who enjoys Mine Kill and Max V. Shaul State Parks, and we hope that you will join us.



About PTNY: Parks & Trails New York is the leading statewide organization working to preserve and enhance a network of parks, greenways and trails for all New Yorkers for generations to come. Since 1985, our influential reports and advocacy efforts have been critical to keeping parks and historic sites open and protecting New York’s natural, recreational, cultural and historical resources. For more information, visit www.ptny.org.

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Invasion Presentation at Mine Kill State Park

Written By Cicero on 3/6/15 | 3/6/15

On Saturday, March 7, 2015, join Mine Kill State Park staff, regional biologists and other volunteers to learn about the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) and its terrible effect on New York’s eastern hemlock trees.  Participants will learn up-to-date details about the invasive pest with an informative presentation on the history, origins and current status of HWA in New York State by Cornell University Professor, Mark Whitmore. Other presenters will include volunteers from the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schoharie County and the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP).  Following the presentation, guests will learn how to survey hemlock trees at the park for the presence of HWA.  Data collected from the survey will be used to construct a comprehensive management plan for HWA at Mine Kill State Park and the New York Power Authority. Additional surveys will provide further information on the status effort to contain HWA and preserve as many of Mine Kill’s beautiful hemlocks as possible.       

HWA was first discovered in the park in 2011 and has since been identified in many different areas surrounding Mine Kill State Park and New York Power Authority Blenheim-Gilboa property.  HWA, a tiny insect native to Asia, lives and feeds on eastern hemlock trees (Tsuga Canadensis). Originally detected in the Southeast Appalachian Mountains in the 1960’s, HWA is capable of killing an otherwise healthy eastern hemlock tree in a matter of a few years. Many species of hemlock can survive infestation, but eastern hemlock is susceptible to the pest, which latch onto the trees and consume the stored starches that the trees need for growth and survival.

HWA is of particular cause for concern for New Yorkers, as New York is one of the most heavily forested states. And with hemlocks being the 4th most abundant tree species in both the State and region, the loss of hemlock stands would have a major impact in the Catskills, which rely greatly on forests for wood products, tourism, and ecosystem services. Additionally, the death of large stands of hemlocks could pose an increased wildfire risk and the risk of tree fall, both of which are major concerns for State Parks and the DEC.

The HWA presentation and survey will begin at 11 AM on Saturday, March 7th, at the New York Power Authority Blenheim-Gilboa Visitors Center, located approximately 1 mile north of Mine Kill State Park along Route 30 in North Blenheim, NY.  Following the presentation in the NYPA theater, volunteers will be provided with a GPS, survey forms, a map and other surveying equipment to use in the field.  Volunteer groups will survey a wide area of hemlocks surrounding the beautiful Blenheim-Gilboa Reservoir and Mine Kill State Park.  All participants will return to the NYPA visitors’ center by 2:30PM to conclude the survey.  Refreshments will be provided to volunteers during the event.     

Please remember to bring proper hiking attire, footwear, snacks and water.  Admission is free to all program participants and a limited number of snowshoes are available to use on a first come, first serve basis.  For more information about this event, please contact the park office at (518) 827-8690. 
Mine Kill State Park is located in the scenic Schoharie Valley overlooking the Power Authority’s Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project.  The reservoir provides excellent fishing and boating opportunities.  Mine Kill also boasts the only permanent, 18-hole disc golf course at a state park in the Saratoga-Capital Region.  The eight miles of trails, including trails from the Park to the NYPA Visitor Center such as the nationally designated Long Path, are great for hiking, biking and birding.  Cascading 80 feet through a narrow gorge is the picturesque Mine Kill Falls for which the Park is named. 

For those who would like to extend their visit, nearby Max V. Shaul State Park is a small, quiet camping area with 30 wooded tent and trailer sites, picnic grounds, a state of the art playground and boat access along the Schoharie Creek.  In addition to the Max V. Shaul trails and fishing opportunities, campers have free access to Mine Kill State Park and receive discounts at a variety of local tourist attractions and businesses. 

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 180 state parks and 35 historic sites, which are visited by 60 million people annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow on Twitter.

New Disc Golf Course to Open at Mine Kill State Park

Written By Editor on 8/1/14 | 8/1/14

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) today announced that its first permanent disc golf course in the Saratoga-Capital Region will open at Mine Kill State Park in North Blenheim. The course opening will take place on Saturday, August 9, 2014 at 9AM just outside the Mine Kill pool complex, featuring a ribbon cutting ceremony, an Ace Race and other great disc golf games.

“We are thrilled to welcome the first disc golf course to a State Park in the Capital Region,” State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey said. “Disc golf is a fun and easy way to get outside with friends and family at New York State Parks. The Mine Kill Disc Golf Course will be a magnificent new destination for one of the fastest growing sports in the Catskills and Capital Region.”  

Disc Golf is played similar to traditional golf with tees, holes and strokes per hole, but with plastic flying discs used instead of a ball and clubs. A golf disc is thrown from a tee area to an elevated basket, which is the "hole." As players make their way down the fairway, they take each consecutive throw from the spot where the previous throw landed. The player with the fewest throws wins.

In addition to Mine Kill, disc golf courses are available at Beaver Island, Darien Lake, Evangola, Joseph Davis, Lakeside and Wilson-Tuscarora State Parks in Western New York, Franklin D. Roosevelt in the Lower Hudson Valley, and Gilbert Lake State Park in Otsego County.

The Ace Race tournament at Mine Kill State Park will make a great introduction to disc golf for players new to the sport. An Ace Race is like a hole-in-one contest with a bit of a twist; all players must throw the same type of disc on every hole. Players only count holes in one (Aces) or when their disc strikes a part of the target basket. Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers at the MKDGC Ace Race.  Players will also receive 2 prototype discs, a towel, baseball cap, a mini-marker disc and other great items upon registering.  

Admission to the Ace Race is just $25 per player.  

Players interested in exploring the new Mine Kill disc golf course on their own can borrow a disc at the park or pool office.  There is a $10 deposit per disc required for using a disc for the day.  Disc purchases may also be made at the park for $10 per disc.  Admission to the park from late-June to Labor Day is $3 per vehicle from 9am to 5pm.  

For more information on the Mine Kill Disc Golf Course Ace Race event, or to learn more about the terrific sport of disc golf, please contact the park office at (518) 827-8690.  

Explore Mine Kill State Park by Kayak

Written By Editor on 7/29/14 | 7/29/14


Join park staff along with other paddling enthusiasts for a chance to explore beautiful Mine Kill State Park by kayak. American Canoe Association certified kayak instructors will lead several classes on the Blenheim-Gilboa Reservoir located at the park.  Paddlers will have a fantastic opportunity to catch a glimpse of a bald eagle, explore the Mine Kill creek or examine fascinating fossils from the prehistoric Devonian Sea.  Each class is limited to 15 participants or less, so please call Mine Kill State Park at (518) 827-8690 to pre-register for each event.    

Bring your kayak, paddle and PFD on Saturday, August 2nd, 2014, from 10am - 2pm for an ACA endorsed, Quick Start kayak course.  This course is geared toward beginner to intermediate paddlers, and will cover the fundamental kayaking maneuvers as well as safety considerations on the water.  Participants will also get a chance to see advanced paddling skills and recoveries, in addition to an active bald eagle nest located near the reservoir.  A donation of $10 is recommended for this class.  

Then on Saturday, August 16, 2014, from 11am to 1pm, learn the paddling basics with an ACA Smart Start course at Mine Kill State Park.  The Smart Start course is for first-time to beginner paddlers, and is designed to cover the various parts of the kayak, different types of PFD’s and paddles, and other considerations before launching.  Once on the water, paddlers will learn the essential kayak strokes and then have a chance to perfect them.  A donation is recommended for the Smart Start course on 8/16.  

Finish the summer paddling season at Mine Kill State Park with an Introduction to Kayaking course on August 23rd.  Meet at the Blenheim-Gilboa Reservoir boat launch at the park, from 9am to 3pm, to hone your paddling skills.  The Introduction to Kayaking course is suitable for intermediate to advanced-level paddlers, and will feature more in-depth equipment and demonstrations.  Participants will also learn how to conduct a wet exit and then perform deep water recoveries.  Paddling safety, CPR and first aid considerations will also be discussed in the course.  Due to the advanced techniques and curriculum, there is a $20 fee per paddler for the course on 8/23.      

Please note that each paddler will need to provide his/her own PFD (personal flotation device) along with a kayak and paddle.  Many different types of kayaks may be used, including sit-in/sit-on-top, tandem and inflatable. Paddlers will also get a chance to see stunning views from the reservoir, like resident bald eagles, outstanding geology and the scenic Schoharie Valley. 

Please note that the New York Power Authority no longer requires a seasonal permit to launch a vessel on the Blenheim-Gilboa Reservoir.  However, all boaters must check in at the Mine Kill State Park office and then power-wash the boat prior to entering the water.  Please remember to contact the Mine Kill office at (518) 827-8690 to register, as there are a limited number of spots available per course.  

Mine Kill State Park is located in the scenic Schoharie Valley overlooking the Power Authority’s Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project.  The reservoir provides excellent fishing and boating opportunities. The eight miles of trails, including trails from the Park to the NYPA Visitor Center such as the Long Path, are great for hiking, biking and birding.  Cascading 80 feet through a narrow gorge is the picturesque Mine Kill Falls for which the Park is named.  The Park also has an Olympic sized swimming pool with separate wading and diving pools.

For those who would like to extend their visit, nearby Max V. Shaul State Park is a small, quiet camping area with 30 wooded tent and trailer sites, picnic grounds, a state of the art playground and boat access along the Schoharie Creek.  In addition to the Max V. Shaul trails and fishing opportunities, campers have free access to Mine Kill State Park. 

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversee 180 state parks and 35 historic sites, which are visited by 60 million people annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow on Twitter.

5th Annual Summer Festival at Mine Kill State Park

Written By Editor on 7/6/14 | 7/6/14

Join park patrons from throughout New York State for a day of fun in the sun at Mine Kill State Park! The park is hosting its 5th annual Summer Festival on Saturday, July 19, 2014 from 10AM to 4PM at the Mine Kill pool complex.  This year’s activity lineup will feature amazing presenters, summertime games, environmental education programs and so much more! Admission to Summer Festival is just $3 for the vehicle entrance fee to the park.  

Summer Fest 2014 will boast dozens of activities and presenters for the entire family.  Volunteers can sign up for a tremendous opportunity to experience life as a New York State Forest Ranger when DEC Ranger Bill Henry conducts a Mock Search and Rescue (SAR) Operation at the park! Explore the Incident Command Post used by the DEC during a real SAR and learn the procedures to successfully find a lost hiker.  Take a walk inside the Mine Kill Nature Tent to learn all about invasive species that may be in your own backyard with the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP).  Learn more about the life and times of famous local naturalist, John Burroughs, with Diane Galusha from the Woodchuck Lodge.  Then enjoy a guided eagle hike with a park ranger along Mine Kill’s 8 miles of hiking trails including the nationally recognized Long Path.  Don’t forget to check out the brand new, permanent disc golf course at the park located just outside the pool complex.  Park staff will conduct a ribbon cutting and unveil the new 18-hole course the morning of Summer Fest.  Also, the entire family will love watching Ziggy and Razz the miniature horses perform unbelievable tricks.  

Kids will have an opportunity to jump in the Bounce House or take a shot at “The Flusher” for some prizes. 
There will also be plenty of arts and crafts, face painting, pie throwing and the 2nd annual Summer Fest Regatta across the Mine Kill pool.  Have you ever been geocaching? Meet Greg, a geocache expert, and learn all about this modern day treasure hunt using GPS units. Then participate in the amazingly popular 2014 Saratoga Region Geocache Challenge for a chance to win some incredible gear.    There will also be a kayak rescue demonstration performed by American Canoe Association certified instructors.  Kayak courses are now being offered on the Blenheim-Gilboa Reservoir on many occasions throughout the summer.  Check out the Mine Kill Facebook page for upcoming course dates and times.    

The Mine Kill State Park Summer Festival is proud to have several sponsors supporting this year’s event, including Stewart’s Shops which will be providing four different flavors of ice cream for free sundaes!!! Thank you Stewart’s! Creekside Sports of Schoharie, NY will be hosting a fantastic fly-tying workshop, so get ready to test your skills at fly-casting on the Blenheim-Gilboa Reservoir or Mine Kill Creek.  Bring your own rod and reel or borrow one from the park to sample a new lure at the park (valid NY State Fishing License required for everyone 16 and older).  

Great music will be provided throughout the day courtesy of Mr. Music DJ Services of Middleburgh.  Of course, take advantage of Mine Kill’s Olympic-size pool and dive tank to beat the heat in between Summer Fest activities.  Enjoy a sandwich, salad or other refreshments at the pool’s concessionaire.  Entrance fees for Summer Festival are just $3 per vehicle.  To jump in one of the three in-ground pools, the cost is only $2 for adults (13+) and $1 for seniors (62+) and children 6 to 12.  Kids 5 and under swim for free!      

Also before, during and after Mine Kill’s Summer Festival, don’t forget to stop by the Environmental Education Nature Tent located inside the pool complex.  The Nature Tent is geared toward kids of all ages and adults and will feature a different environmental theme each week in July, Tuesday through Friday, 11AM-3PM.  Beginning on July 8th-11th, learn all about many of the local inhabitants of the forest like the black bear, bald eagle, bats, bobcats and much more during Wildlife Week.    Beetle Buster week is from July 15th-18th and is sponsored by CRISP with lots of information about “unwanted guests” that may be in your own backyard.  Join Schoharie Area Wild and other presenters during Healthy Living Week from July 22nd-25th and finish up the Nature Tent series from July 29th-August 1st with Earth Week at the Mine Kill tent.  Please call the Mine Kill park office at (518) 827-8690 for more information about the 2014 Nature Tent.    

Mine Kill State Park is located in the scenic Schoharie Valley overlooking the Power Authority’s Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project.  The reservoir provides excellent fishing and boating opportunities. The eight miles of trails, including trails from the Park to the NYPA Visitor Center such as the nationally designated Long Path, are great for hiking, biking and birding.  Cascading 80 feet through a narrow gorge is the picturesque Mine Kill Falls for which the Park is named.  

For those who would like to extend their visit, nearby Max V. Shaul State Park is a small, quiet camping area with 30 wooded tent and trailer sites, picnic grounds, a state of the art playground and boat access along the Schoharie Creek.  In addition to the Max V. Shaul trails and fishing opportunities, campers have free access to Mine Kill State Park and receive discounts at a variety of local tourist attractions and businesses.  

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 180 state parks and 35 historic sites, which are visited by 60 million people annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow on Twitter.

Learn to Swim at Mine Kill State Park

Written By Editor on 6/11/14 | 6/11/14


Beautiful Mine Kill State Park, located on Route 30 in North Blenheim, New York is once again offering its annual “Learn to Swim” program at the Olympic-sized pool complex within the park.  Lessons are available for both children and adults, and will be taught by certified Water Safety Institute instructors. The pool opens on June 28nd and Community Lessons will begin on Monday, June 30th.

All lessons are based on American Red Cross guidelines and include the Infant and Preschool Aquatic Program (IPAP) Stages 1 and 2 for children 6 months to 4 years, followed by instruction Levels 1-6 for ages 4 and up.  Mine Kill will again be having two 4-week sessions for IPAP, Stage 2, and American Red Cross levels 1-6. Lessons will be held Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. 

Session 1                                            Session 2
June 30 - July 24                          July 28 – August 21

In addition to the traditional Learn-To-Swim classes, Mine Kill State Park is also offering Adult Swim Lessons (depending on staffing levels) and a Competitive Swimming class.  The competitive swimming class will aid students in improving their stroke definition based on the Red Cross level they have completed.  Each individual will learn competitive swim techniques, drills, and self-discipline.  This class will be taught by WSI certified, coach, and competitive swimmer, Erica Buel.

Starting June 4, if you would like to enroll yourself or your son/daughter in this program, please contact Ashley Cunningham. You can do this at your convenience by phone at (518) 239-6322 or e-mail atcunninghama545@strose.edu . Enrollment is limited in each session, so individuals who are closed out in the first session will be given priority in the second session. 

Admission into the park will continue to be free when you arrive for lessons after 3 PM.  However, parents and children entering the pool area for lessons will be required to pay the pool admission fee. This year we are also excited to announce that our Kiddie Pool will be open. Come enjoy Mine Kill State Park and all that it has to offer.

Mine Kill State Park is located in the scenic Schoharie Valley overlooking the Power Authority’s Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project.  The reservoir provides excellent fishing and boating opportunities.  The eight miles of trails, including trails from the Park to the NYPA Visitor Center such as the Long Path, are great for hiking, biking and birding.  Cascading 80 feet through a narrow gorge is the picturesque Mine Kill Falls for which the Park is named.  The Park also has an Olympic sized swimming pool with separate wading and diving pools.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation maintain 179 State Parks and 35 Historic sites throughout the Empire State. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call (518) 474-0456 or visit www. NYparks.com, “like us” on Facebook or follow on Twitter.

Mine Kill to Host Father's Day Fishing Tournament

Written By Editor on 6/9/14 | 6/9/14

Join the Friends of Mine Kill and Max V. Shaul State Park on Saturday, June 14, 2014 during the Father’s Day Weekend Fishing Tournament, from 7am - 12pm.  Celebrate Father’s Day and beat the heat along the beautiful Blenheim-Gilboa Reservoir.  Entry per individual is $10, while a family of 4 or more may enter for $30.  Registration will be at the boat launch area in Mine Kill State Park or you can call Mine Kill State Park at (518) 827-8690 to pre-register.  

The fishing tournament will take place on the Blenheim-Gilboa Lower Reservoir for a chance to win 50% of the entry fees.  The remaining funds will support educational programming and recreational activities at the park through the Friends of Mine Kill and Max V. Shaul group.  The individual with the longest recorded fish (any species) will be awarded the winnings following the end of the tournament at 12pm sharp.  Anglers may fish from the shore of the reservoir or may use a boat.  Please note that the New York Power Authority no longer requires a seasonal permit to launch a vessel on the Blenheim-Gilboa Reservoir.  However, all boaters must check in at the Mine Kill State Park office and then power-wash the boat prior to entering the water. 

Mine Kill State Park has many more fishing opportunities for you.  If you can’t make it out to the Father’s Day Weekend Fishing Tournament then please join us during the Late Summer Fishing Tournament on Saturday, August 16th.  The Mine Kill Summer Fishing Tournaments continue to grow thanks to everyone who has participated in past events and spread the word.  Please note, if you are 16 years or older you must have a valid fishing license.  In order to use a boat (both motor and non-motorized) on the reservoir, please stop at the Mine Kill park office and fill out the appropriate information.  All boats are required to be power-washed at the power-wash station adjacent the park contact office.  However, boats are not needed though since there is plenty of shoreline access for all your fishing fun.     

Mine Kill State Park is located in the scenic Schoharie Valley overlooking the Power Authority’s Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project.  The reservoir provides excellent fishing and boating opportunities.  The eight miles of trails, including trails from the Park to the NYPA Visitor Center such as the Long Path, are great for hiking, biking and birding.  Cascading 80 feet through a narrow gorge is the picturesque Mine Kill Falls for which the Park is named.  The Park also has an Olympic sized swimming pool with separate wading and diving pools.

For those who would like to extend their visit, nearby Max V. Shaul State Park is a small, quiet camping area with 30 wooded tent and trailer sites, picnic grounds, a state of the art playground and boat access along the Schoharie Creek.  In addition to the Max V. Shaul trails and fishing opportunities, campers have free access to Mine Kill State Park. 

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 180 state parks and 35 historic sites, which are visited by 60 million people annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow on Twitter.

Mine Kill Set for 22nd National Trails Day

Written By Editor on 5/28/14 | 5/28/14


On Saturday, June 7, 2014, celebrate National Trails Day at Mine Kill State Park in North Blenheim, New York.  Join Mine Kill park staff, local Scouts and community members from 10:00am to 3:00pm for a chance to experience history in the making at the park.  Volunteers will be tasked with clearing brush and debris from the soon-to-be-installed Mine Kill Disc Golf Course.  Disc golf is very similar to ball golf in that players start from a tee area and attempt to “hole out” at a target in a certain number of strokes (par).  However, rather than using golf clubs and balls, disc golf utilizes modified Frisbees or discs thrown by the player on each shot.  The sport is very easy to learn, can be played by anyone regardless of age and is a terrific way to experience the outdoors while also getting some exercise.  

A free barbecue lunch will be provided to all volunteers courtesy of Stewart’s Shops and the Friends of Mine Kill and Max V. Shaul State Parks.  Free giveaways from Adventure Medical Kits will also be available to volunteers while supplies last.  National Trails Day patrons should be prepared for a day outside being both on and off trail.  Please bring comfortable, layered clothing (including rain gear), snacks, water and hiking boots.    

Following a delicious lunch, participants will have an opportunity to explore the many miles of hiking trails at Mine Kill State Park – including the famous Long Path, which runs from the George Washington Bridge all the way to the Mohawk River west of Albany.  Take a hike down to the beautiful, 80-foot Mine Kill Falls or enjoy the views from around the historic Lansing Manor next to the NYPA Blenheim-Gilboa Visitors Center.   Please contact the Mine Kill park office at (518) 827-8690 to pre-register for this event, or email HYPERLINK "mailto:Michael.fagerstrom@parks.ny.gov" Michael.fagerstrom@parks.ny.gov for more information.      

Mine Kill State Park is located in the scenic Schoharie Valley overlooking the Power Authority’s Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project.  The reservoir provides excellent fishing and boating opportunities.  The eight miles of trails, including trails from the Park to the NYPA Visitor Center such as the Long Path, are great for hiking, biking and birding.  Cascading 80 feet through a narrow gorge is the picturesque Mine Kill Falls for which the Park is named.  The Park also has an Olympic sized swimming pool with separate wading and diving pools.

For those who would like to extend their visit, nearby Max V. Shaul State Park is a small, quiet camping area with 30 wooded tent and trailer sites, picnic grounds, a state of the art playground and boat access along the Schoharie Creek.  In addition to the Max V. Shaul trails and fishing opportunities, campers have free access to Mine Kill State Park. 

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 180 state parks and 35 historic sites, which are visited by more than 60 million people annually. 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. 

About American Hiking Society - Founded in 1976, American Hiking Society is the only national, recreation-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting America’s hiking trails, their surrounding natural areas and the hiking experience. To learn more about American Hiking Society and its mission and programs, please visit www.AmericanHiking.org or call (301) 565-6704.

American Hiking’s National Trails Day® is made possible by the generous support of Corporate Sponsors–Adventure Medical Kits, Columbia, Gregory Packs, Tilley Endurables, The North Face, and Brooks-Range Mountaineering as well as Supporters – America’s State Parks, American Park Network, Backpacker magazine, ParksByNature Network, Boy Scouts of America, REI, and Student Conservation Association, and Federal Partners – National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Federal Highway Administration, and U.S. Forest Service.

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