NEWS RELEASE: Public Programs at Minnewaska State Park Preserve and Sam s Point for May 2016

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1 NEWS RELEASE: Public Programs at Minnewaska State Park Preserve and Sam s Point for May 2016 Pre-registration is required for participation in most public programs. Please call the Park Preserve Office at , unless otherwise noted. For outings, please wear appropriate clothing and footwear and bring snacks and water. A parent or guardian over the age of 18 must accompany children wishing to participate in any programs. Minnewaska Nature Center Summer Hours: The Minnewaska Nature Center will be open Saturday, Sunday and Holidays 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. from Memorial Day until Columbus Day. Staff will be either at the Nature Center or out in the Park Preserve leading public programs during these time slots. When the building is closed, an information center will be available on the porch to assist patrons with questions about the Park Preserve. The Sam s Point Visitor Center is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. The following public programs will be offered at Minnewaska State Park Preserve and Sam s Point Area in May: Friday, April 29 Sunday, May 1, 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.: Introduction to Trail Work/Trail University with Nor westers and

2 Long Distance Trails Crew of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Learn trail construction techniques from the experts! Two trail crews from the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference will be at Sam s Point teaching a Trail University and performing trail work on the Verkeerderkill Falls Footpath. The workshop will cover methods of constructing drainage structures, such as water-bars and ditches, and building stone treadways. This is a great project for those who want to get outside and put some work back into the trails they use, learn new trailwork techniques and make some new friends! Please bring lunch, water bottle(s), sunscreen, sunglasses, work or hiking boots, and gloves. The parking fee will be waived for volunteers at this event. This program is being offered at the Sam s Point Area in Cragsmoor. Pre-registration is required by calling Sam s Point at Sunday, May 1, 10:00 a.m. 2:30 p.m.: High Peter s Kill Loop Hike Come explore most of the High Peter s Kill Footpath on this approximately five-mile hike. We ll start by walking downhill on the High Peter s Kill Footpath, which features a variety of terrain, along a cliff escarpment with numerous, scenic viewpoints. For our return trip, we ll walk along the easy-going Awosting Falls Carriage Road, past the beautiful and iconic Awosting Falls. This hike does include some rocky, narrow sections of trail that may be challenging for some. Meet in the Awosting Parking Area. Pre-registration is required.

3 Tuesday, May 3, 8:00 a.m.: Early Morning Birders Designed for birding enthusiasts, or those just looking to learn the basics, this series will offer various outings led by experienced birding volunteers and park naturalists. Participants will meet at the Minnewaska main entrance and should come prepared with binoculars. Outing destinations will be determined the day of the program. Thursday, May 5, 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.: Homeschoolers: Fire Ecology and Invasive Species Come join other homeschoolers to learn about the importance of fire ecology and invasive species on the Shawangunk Ridge. Children will learn the difference between wildfires versus controlled burns, signs of past fires, plants that need fire to survive and signs of invasive bugs and plants, which also harm the forest. We will take a short hike on the Jenny Lane Footpath to look for signs of a forest fire and invasive plants and animals. Meet at the Peter s Kill Area. Preregistration is required. Saturday, May 7, 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.: Fifth Annual I Love My Park Day at Minnewaska Minnewaska State Park Preserve will host volunteers as part of more than 80 cleanup, improvement and beautification events happening statewide. Volunteers may choose between two trail improvement projects, both of which will greatly benefit the Park Preserve. Volunteers will work alongside Park Preserve staff and New York- New Jersey Trail Conference volunteers on each project.

4 For one project, volunteers will build and mark an official trail at Stony Kill Falls. This area currently has no marked or maintained footpaths and a recent surge in visitation is causing erosion and the creation of numerous, unofficial trails. As its popularity grows, it is a priority to protect this beautiful area of the Park Preserve, while keeping hikers on a well-marked and stable route. This volunteer opportunity is appropriate for adults and children who are at least twelve years old, accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. For a second project, volunteers will enhance sections of the Blueberry Run Footpath by clipping back overgrown vegetation along the sides of the trail with hand clippers. This footpath is much loved by hikers year-round and this work will improve the experience on it. This volunteer opportunity is appropriate for adults and children who are at least seven years old, accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. The daily parking fee will be waived for registered volunteers participating at this event. I Love My Park Day is coordinated at the statewide level by Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) in partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP). To learn more and to register to participate, please visitwww.ptny.org/ilovemypark or call Minnewaska at Pre-registration is required. Saturday, May 7, 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.: First Annual I Love My Park Day at Sam s Point This project will take place at the Sam s Point Area, which is hosting its first ever I Love My Park Day event this year. Volunteers will be

5 taught trail maintenance techniques by expert trail crew leaders and then put those skills to use restoring the popular Verkeederkill Falls Footpath. Hikers familiar with this footpath know that it is very soggy, with standing puddles and running water, after rain or snow melt. The workshop will cover methods of de-berming trail surfaces and constructing drainage structures, such as water-bars and ditches. This project will create a well-drained, more user-friendly route, allowing hikers to walk in the center of the footpath, while also protecting the fragile plants along the previously trampled trail edges. This is an appropriate volunteer opportunity for adults and children who are at least seven years old, accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. The daily parking fee will be waived for registered volunteers participating at this event. I Love My Park Day is coordinated at the statewide level by Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) in partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP). To learn more and to register to participate, please visit ilovemypark or call Sam s Point at Pre-registration is required. Tuesday, May 10, 8:00 a.m.: Early Morning Birders Designed for birding enthusiasts or those just looking to learn the basics, this series will offer various outings led by experienced birding volunteers and park naturalists. Participants will meet at the Minnewaska main entrance and should come prepared with binoculars. Outing destinations will be determined the day of the program.

6 Tuesday Treks: This series of outings is being offered every second and fourth Tuesday of the month from September through the following May. It is designed for people who are home during the week, such as retirees, stay-at-home parents, or people with weekdays off from work. The series will offer outings led by a park educator. Tuesday, May 10, 10:00 a.m. 3:30 p.m.: Tuesday Trek: Becca Rocks Geology Hike Join Becca Howe, SCA/AmeriCorp Park Educator Intern, in exploring a portion of the easily overlooked northwestern section of Minnewaska. This moderately challenging, two mile hike leads to a small, but pristine waterfall, tucked away in the woods, which few people are aware of. While the distance is short, there are sections of trail with sustained hills and some rocky footing. If time permits, we will visit Point Lookout, a rock slab perch with a panoramic vista of the surrounding landscape. Participants will meet at the Awosting Parking Area and may need to ride share as trailhead parking is very limited, which will also limit the group size for this outing. Participants should pack water and food. Pre-registration is required. Friday, May 13 Sunday, May 15, 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.: Introduction to Trail Work/Trail University with Nor westers and Long Distance Trails Crew of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Learn trail construction techniques from the experts! Two trail crews from the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference will be at Sam s

7 Point teaching a Trail University and performing trail work on the Verkeerderkill Falls Footpath. The workshop will cover methods of constructing drainage structures, such as water-bars and ditches, and building stone treadways. This is a great project for those who want to get outside and put some work back into the trails they use, learn new trail work techniques and make some new friends! Please bring lunch, water bottle(s), sunscreen, sunglasses, work or hiking boots, and gloves. The daily parking fee will be waived for volunteers at this event. This program is being offered at the Sam s Point Area in Cragsmoor. Pre-registration is required by calling Sam s Point at Saturday, May 14, 9:30 a.m. 4:00 p.m.: Rainbow Falls Footpath Exploration Come explore some of the less frequently visited sections of Minnewaska on this approximately six-mile long outing on a combination of historic carriage roads and footpaths, including the Rainbow Falls Footpath. We ll begin our hike on Mossy Glen Footpath and make our way over to the Rainbow Falls Footpath via Blueberry Run Footpath, Jenny Lane Footpath and Lower Awosting Carriage Road. Rainbow Falls Footpath showcases some of the more interesting and remote backcountry in the Park Preserve. It offers awesome panoramic views and passes nearly beneath Rainbow Falls. We ll return along Upper Awosting Carriage Road until we reach Blueberry Run Footpath, which we ll follow to Lower Awosting Carriage Road, which is an easy stroll back to the parking area. This hike does include some tricky stream crossings and rock scrambles and is recommended for experienced and agile hikers.

8 Meet at the Awosting Parking Area. All participants must come prepared with the proper footwear, such as hiking boots, and enough food and water to sustain themselves. Pre-registration is required. Preschoolers in the Park at Sam s Point Come spend the morning exploring the Sam s Point Area of Minnewaska State Park Preserve with your preschooler. Share the excitement of your preschooler s early experiences with nature as they engage in activities that will focus on sight, hearing, smell and touch. Led by Laura Davis, Park Educator, this program is scheduled for the secondsaturday of the month from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Topics will change with the seasons. Each outing includes a craft and weather permitting, a modest hike. Parents and children should come prepared to walk up to one mile. It is recommended that parents also bring food and water. All children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian over the age of 18. All programs meet at the Visitor Center. Pre-registration is required by calling Sam s Point at Saturday, May 14, 10:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m.: Preschoolers in the Park: Colorful Scavenger Hunt Bring your preschoolers and join Laura Davis, Sam s Point Educator, for a morning of exploration! We will start off with a story and craft before heading outside to search for natural items of different shapes, colors, and textures. All children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian over the age of 18. This program is being offered at the Sam s Point Area in Cragsmoor. Pre-registration is required by calling Sam s Point at

9 Saturday, May 14, 9:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m.: Hike to the Shingle Gully Ice Caves Explore the Shingle Gully Ice Caves where ice persists into summer in deep crevice caves. These caves are in a primitive area in Minnewaska State Park Preserve. This rugged, protected landscape is accessible only on guided tours led by park staff and volunteer docents. This all-day, strenuous adventure ascends and descends 1,500 feet, includes off-trail bushwhacking and steep rock scrambles, and is only appropriate for experienced hikers. Pre-registration is required by calling Sam's Point at Preregistration deadline: May 9. Sunday, May 15, 9:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m.: Walk to Scenic Echo Rock Join Laura Conner, Environmental Educator, for an approximately four-mile round trip walk along two carriage roads to reach the picturesque Echo Rock. From the top of this scenic lookout, visitors peer down into the pristine Palmaghatt Ravine, where vultures often glide below. This modest hike, which includes some hills, is appropriate for most hikers. Pre-registration is required. Thursday, May 19, 9:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m.: Indian Rock and Lake Maratanza Hike Starting at the Sam s Point Visitor Center, we ll hike past the scenic vista at the Sam s Point Overlook and then make our way around Lake Maratanza. At Indian Rock we ll enjoy beautiful views of the Catskill Mountains. This nearly five-mile hike traverses woods roads and a rocky footpath featuring a bog bridge. Most of the terrain is fairly level with some short, steep sections. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. This

10 program is being offered at the Sam s Point Area in Cragsmoor. Preregistration is required by calling Sam s Point at Sunday, May 22, 9:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m.: Two Views for One Hike Join Laura Conner, Environmental Educator, on this moderately challenging two mile hike in the Peter s Kill area of Minnewaska. This often overlooked, and lovely, route features two gorgeous vistas, one out over the Clove Valley, with a view of the iconic Skytop Tower, and the other of the Rondout Valley and the Catskill Mountains. This route does include a few steep hills, rocky footing and cliff edge views, which some people may find challenging. Meet at the Peter s Kill Parking Area. Pre-registration required. Tuesday, May 24, 8:00 a.m.: Early Morning Birders Designed for birding enthusiasts or those just looking to learn the basics, this series will offer various outings led by experienced birding volunteers and park naturalists. Participants will meet at the Minnewaska main entrance and should come prepared with binoculars. Outing destinations will be determined the day of the program. Tuesday, May 24, 9:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m.: Tuesday Trek: Hike to the Shingle Gully Ice Caves Explore the Shingle Gully Ice Caves where ice persists into summer in deep crevice caves. These caves are in a primitive area in

11 Minnewaska State Park Preserve. This rugged, protected landscape is accessible only on guided tours led by park staff and volunteer docents. This all-day, strenuous adventure ascends and descends 1,500 feet, includes off-trail bushwhacking and steep rock scrambles, and is only appropriate for experienced hikers. Pre-registration is required by calling Sam's Point at Preregistration deadline: May 19. Friday, May 27, 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m.: Birding Basics at Ellenville Library Join Nick Martin, Park Educator, in this first installment of a three-part series offered through the Ellenville Library on three consecutive Fridays. In this first segment, we will focus on habitat, visual identification and bird song. During the course of this series, we will talk about habitat, unique bird characteristics, methods of identifying birds, binoculars, tips on resources for continuing your birding education and take a local birding walk. Interested participants are welcomed to attend one or all three programs. Please call the Ellenville Public Library at for more information. Saturday, May 28, 10:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.: Live Birds of Prey with Annie Mardiney Join Annie Mardiney, wildlife rehabilitator for Wild Mountain Birds, for an up-close and personal look at some of the raptors common to the Shawangunk Ridge. Live education birds may include red-tailed hawk, broad-winged hawk, American kestrel, barred owl, screech owl and great horned owl. Stop by the Nature Center to meet these

12 amazing and beautiful animals in person! Pre-registration is required. Saturday, May 28, 9:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m.: Hike to the Shingle Gully Ice Caves Explore the Shingle Gully Ice Caves where ice persists into summer in deep crevice caves. These caves are in a primitive area in Minnewaska State Park Preserve. This rugged, protected landscape is accessible only on guided tours led by park staff and volunteer docents. This all-day, strenuous adventure ascends and descends 1,500 feet, includes off-trail bushwhacking and steep rock scrambles, and is only appropriate for experienced hikers. Pre-registration is required by calling Sam's Point at Preregistration deadline: May 23. Sunday, May 29, 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m.: Morning Light Hike on Beacon Hill The Beacon Hill Footpath follows along the top edge of an east facing escarpment, which gets bathed in the warm, morning light of spring. This walk, which is over two miles long, will offer beautiful views of the Rondout and Wallkill valleys below and the Catskill Mountains to the north. This loop route follows along carriage roads as well as the Footpath, which does include some hills and tricky footing. Pre-registration is required. Monday, May 30, 9:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m.: Verkeerderkill Falls Hike Join Laura Davis, Sam s Point Educator, for a hike to Verkeerderkill Falls, which drops 187 feet over a dramatic rocky ledge, making it the

13 highest waterfall in the Shawangunk Mountains. We ll walk through a forest of dwarf pitch pines and enjoy views of the Hudson Valley below. This five-and-a-half-mile hike includes some steep rocky terrain and a stream crossing. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. This program is being offered at the Sam s Point Area in Cragsmoor. Pre-registration is required by calling Sam s Point at Monday, May 30, 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.: Kids Make Your Own Animal Track Bring your children to the Minnewaska Nature Center to make their own plaster animal track to bring home. While the plaster hardens, we ll take an approximately two mile walk on the Beacon Hill Carriage Road to look for signs of animal activity. This program is designed for children between the ages of six to ten years old, accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. Siblings of any age are welcome; however, younger siblings may need parental assistance. Pre-registration is required. Tuesday, May 31, 8:00 a.m.: Early Morning Birders Designed for birding enthusiasts or those just looking to learn the basics, this series will offer various outings led by experienced birding volunteers and park naturalists. Participants will meet at the Minnewaska main entrance and should come prepared with binoculars. Outing destinations will be determined the day of the program.

14 Wednesday, June 1, 9:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m.: Hike to the Shingle Gully Ice Caves Explore the Shingle Gully Ice Caves, where ice persists into summer in deep crevice caves. These caves are in a primitive area in Minnewaska State Park Preserve. This rugged, protected landscape is accessible only on guided tours led by park staff and volunteer docents. This all-day, strenuous adventure ascends and descends 1,500 feet, includes off-trail bushwhacking and steep rock scrambles, and is only appropriate for experienced hikers. Pre-registration is required by calling Sam's Point at Pre-registration deadline: May 27. For more information and to register for programs at Minnewaska, please call the Park Preserve Office at For more information and to register for programs at the Sam s Point Area, please call the Sam s Point Visitor Center at Minnewaska State Park Preserve is open from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. The fee for parking is $10 per vehicle or a valid Empire Passport may be used. All fees are subject to change. There are no additional fees for public programs, unless noted otherwise. Minnewaska State Park Preserve consists of over 23,000 acres of wild and scenic land located on Route 44/55, five miles west of the intersection with Route 299 in Gardiner, New York and also includes the Sam s Point Area, located in the hamlet of Cragsmoor, south of Route 52.

15 The Palisades Interstate Park Commission administers 30 parks, parkways and historic sites for the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in New York as well as the Palisades Interstate Park and parkway in New Jersey. For more information about New York State Parks, please visit <30>