Tag:

State Parks

Fairfield, CT
Police & Fire
Alcohol Ban At 9 Popular CT Outdoor Spots For 3 Months Alcohol Ban At 9 Popular CT Outdoor Spots For 3 Months
Alcohol Ban At 9 Popular CT Outdoor Spots For 3 Months Visitors to some of Connecticut’s most popular outdoor destinations will need to leave the booze behind for the next few months. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has issued a temporary alcohol ban at nine state recreation areas, including several well-known parks, forests, and boat launches. The move comes after recent summers saw “increased crowds and alcohol consumption, which led to increased incidents of misconduct, unruly behavior, property damage, trespass, and complaints by other visitors and the surrounding communities,” according to DEEP. The…

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by Josh Lanier
Spring Valley, NY
Obituaries
18-Year-Old Killed In Wildfire At Sterling Forest Remembered As Ramapo HS Baseball Standout 18-Year-Old Killed In Wildfire At Sterling Forest Remembered As Ramapo HS Baseball Standout
18-Year-Old Killed In Wildfire At Sterling Forest Remembered As Ramapo HS Baseball Standout A teenage New York State Parks and Recreation worker who died battling one of the latest in a rash of wildfires in the region will be honored at a memorial service in his hometown. The blaze broke out in Orange County at Sterling Forest State Park in Tuxedo on Saturday, Nov. 9, and spread into parts of neighboring New Jersey. Rockland County resident Dariel Vasquez, age 18, suffered fatal injuries after a tree fell, according to the New York Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Vasquez suffered fatal injuries after a tree fell, according to the New York Office of Par…

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by Joe Lombardi
Carmel, NY
News
750-Plus Acres Added To State Park In Carmel: Provides Access To Appalachian Trail 750-Plus Acres Added To State Park In Carmel: Provides Access To Appalachian Trail
750-Plus Acres Added To State Park In Carmel: Provides Access To Appalachian Trail Two several-hundred-acre land parcels have been added to a popular state park spanning two counties in the Hudson Valley, officials announced.  In an announcement on Thursday, Oct. 3, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul revealed the addition of 763 acres to Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park in Putnam and Dutchess counties.  The added acres will go towards meeting the state's goal of conserving 30 percent of its land and waters by 2030, Hochul said. The land acquisition consists of a 530-acre parcel with a new access point for the park's recreational facilities and the long-dist…

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by Ben Crnic
Massapequa, NY
News
Free Pool Access For Summer: Hochul Launches 'Get Offline, Get Outside' Campaign At NY Parks Free Pool Access For Summer: Hochul Launches 'Get Offline, Get Outside' Campaign At NY Parks
Free Pool Access For Summer: Hochul Launches 'Get Offline, Get Outside' Campaign At NY Parks As part of an initiative to promote physical and mental health among young New Yorkers, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that pool entry fees will be waived at state parks this summer. “Summer is here – get offline and get outside.” On Tuesday, July 2, Hochul announced that for the rest of the summer, there will be no entry fees at New York State Parks pools. It’s part of the “Get Offline, Get Outside” campaign, which encourages young people and families to prioritize their mental and physical health by taking a break from social media to enjoy recreation and social gatherings outdoors. Poo…

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by Sophie Grieser
Frederick, MD
Police & Fire
Incendiary Fires Reported At Gambrill State Park In Maryland Incendiary Fires Reported At Gambrill State Park In Maryland
Incendiary Fires Reported At Gambrill State Park In Maryland An alleged arsonist is at large after intentionally setting incendiary fires at Gambrill State Park, according to the Maryland Fire Marshal. Shortly before 1 a.m. on Monday, July 1, investigators say that thy found a plastic portable toilet and State Park signage damaged by what was described as "malicious burning. The fires were reported by a passerby. According to the fire marshal, unknown suspects attempted to burn down the toilet and sign at the trailhead of the State Park using combustibles, though it is unclear who is responsible. The incident caused an estimated $1,000 in damage. I…

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by Zak Failla
Norwich, CT
News
Alcohol Ban Imposed For 7 CT Recreation Areas Alcohol Ban Imposed For 7 CT Recreation Areas
Alcohol Ban Imposed For 7 CT Recreation Areas Seven recreational areas across Connecticut are the subjects of a recurring alcohol ban for the summer in an attempt to curb unruly behavior. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced a temporary alcohol ban lasting through Monday, Aug. 12 in the following recreational areas: Beach Pond State Boat Launch in Voluntown, New London County (including a part of Pachaug State Forest); Billings Lake State Boat Launch in North Stonington, New London County (also including a part of Pachaug State Forest); Gardner Lake State Park and State Boat Launch in Sa…

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by Sophie Grieser
Marlton-Evesham, NJ
News
NJ Boosts Wildfire Budget Amid String Of Large Blazes, Long Season NJ Boosts Wildfire Budget Amid String Of Large Blazes, Long Season
NJ Boosts Wildfire Budget Amid String Of Large Blazes, Long Season An extra $3 million in state money will go to the Department of Environmental Protection’s Forest Fire Service to assist in fighting wildfires, authorities said. New Jersey Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette, at a Thursday, Sept. 21 news conference, said funding for new firefighting equipment and staff is vital as climate change heightens and lengthens wildfire seasons in the Garden State. This year was among the busiest and longest wildfire season in a decade, state officials said. Forest Fire Service Administrator and Chief Greg McLaughlin said there is a high pr…

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by Jon Craig
New Haven, CT
Lifestyle
CT State Park Named One Of Best By 'Travel + Leisure' Magazine CT State Park Named One Of Best By 'Travel + Leisure' Magazine
CT State Park Named One Of Best By 'Travel + Leisure' Magazine Silver Sands State Park in Connecticut has been named to the popular "Travel + Leisure" magazine as the state's best park in "Best State Park In Every U.S. State" edition.  Located in New Haven County in Milford, the park is easy to fall in love with its acres of breezy beach dunes to stroll and marshlands full of birds. Or maybe cast a line and fish.  Silver Sands State Park in Milford.Daily Voice Photo And, according to the magazine, when Charles Island (a part of Silver Sands) isn't closed to protect nesting birds from May to November, you can walk across a sandbar to the island for …

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by Kathy Reakes
Albany, NY
News
Legislation Banning Smoking At NY State Parks, Beaches Signed Into Law By Hochul Legislation Banning Smoking At NY State Parks, Beaches Signed Into Law By Hochul
Legislation Banning Smoking At NY State Parks, Beaches Signed Into Law By Hochul New Yorkers can no longer light up at state parks and beaches. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation Friday, July 15, that prohibits smoking in all state-owned beaches, boardwalks, marinas, playgrounds, recreation centers, and group camps. Those who violate the law could be fined $50. "Smoking is a dangerous habit that affects not only the smoker but everyone around them, including families and children enjoying our state's great public places," Hochul said in a statement. "I'm proud to sign this legislation that will protect New Yorker's health and help reduce litter in public parks and …

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by Michael Mashburn
Mahopac, NY
News
NY Officials Announce Addition Of 1,200 Acres To Three Hudson Valley State Parks NY Officials Announce Addition Of 1,200 Acres To Three Hudson Valley State Parks
NY Officials Announce Addition Of 1,200 Acres To Three Hudson Valley State Parks New York officials announced that a total of about 1,200 acres of parkland will be added to three state parks in the Hudson Valley. According to an announcement from Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday, March 3, the new parkland will be added to Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve in Dutchess and Putnam counties, Schunnemunk State Park in Orange County, and Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park in Putnam County. Hochul said $9.7 million in funds from the state's Environmental Protection Fund and the federal Highlands Conservation Act Fund were used to purchase the properties. O…

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by Nicole Valinote
Torrington, CT
News
Here's How Many Bears Have Entered Homes Of CT Residents, Called ‘Unprecedented' By DEEP Here's How Many Bears Have Entered Homes Of CT Residents, Called ‘Unprecedented' By DEEP
Here's How Many Bears Have Entered Homes Of CT Residents, Called ‘Unprecedented' By Deep An “unprecedented” number of Connecticut residents have gotten up close and personal with black bears this summer inside their homes. Interactions between black bears and people are continuing their year-to-year rise, resulting in unprecedented numbers of complaints and requests for assistance, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced this week. DEEP said that the interactions have varied, including some bears entering homes or gravely injuring leashed and unleashed dogs. Earlier story - Man, Dog Bitten By Bear While Walking Connecticut Trail Acco…

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by Zak Failla
Hackensack, NJ
News
These NJ Parks Reached Capacity This Weekend These NJ Parks Reached Capacity This Weekend
These NJ Parks Reached Capacity This Weekend Nearly a dozen New Jersey parks were at capacity within hours of reopening this weekend. Residents eager for fresh air flocked to the state's parks and golf courses bright and early Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17 -- the third weekend since Gov. Phil Murphy allowed the state's parks to reopen since the shutdown. Parking lots at Ramapo Mountain State Forest in Mahwah and Norvin Green State Forest in Bloomingdale were closed as of 9 a.m. Sunday, according to New Jersey's parks department. On Saturday, the following parks were closed after reaching capacity: Batsto Village (Wha…

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by Cecilia Levine
Middletown, NJ
Lifestyle
VOTE: NJ Parks Reopening Too Soon Or Par For The Course? VOTE: NJ Parks Reopening Too Soon Or Par For The Course?
Vote: NJ Parks Reopening Too Soon Or Par For The Course? New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Wednesday announced state parks will be reopening this weekend, and county officials çan reopen their parks if they so desire. Although studies show New Jerseyans feel more impacted by coronavirus than residents of any other state, many condemned Murphy for starting to reopen the state prematurely. Vote below.

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by Cecilia Levine
Lakewood, NJ
News
Murphy Says NJ Parks, Golf Courses Can Reopen Saturday; Here's What You Can Expect Murphy Says NJ Parks, Golf Courses Can Reopen Saturday; Here's What You Can Expect
Murphy Says NJ Parks, Golf Courses Can Reopen Saturday; Here's What You Can Expect State parks and golf courses can reopen this weekend, Gov. Phil Murphy said on Wednesday. Parks were closed statewide on April 7 to curb the spread of coronavirus. Murphy announced a plan for reopening them during a Wednesday briefing. ** VOTE: Too soon or par for the course? Should NJ wait to reopen parks, golf courses? ** The reopening order will take effect at sunrise on Saturday, Murphy said. The governor said he will leave it up to counties to reopen their parks.  "I am pleased to make this order today,'' Murphy said, noting milder weather predicted this weekend. Parking l…

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by Jon Craig
New City, NY
News
COVID-19: Day Asks Cuomo To Close State Parks In Rockland COVID-19: Day Asks Cuomo To Close State Parks In Rockland
Covid-19: Day Asks Cuomo To Close State Parks In Rockland With residents still visiting state parks in Rockland County during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Rockland County Executive Ed Day is asking Gov. Andrew Cuomo to close state parks in the county. Day closed all county parks on Tuesday, April 7, in an effort to stem the rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in the county. After the order, Day says many residents moved to state parks that remained open including Harriman, High Tor, and Rockland Lakes state parks.  "This past weekend, I received several complaints from residents, advising that many of the state parks here…

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by Kathy Reakes