The Palisades Parks Conservancy invites you to join us at our eleventh annual dinner on Thursday evening, June 13, 2013 when we will applaud three of PIPC's most dedicated champions and present the 2013 Palisades Founders Award to former PIPC Executive Directors Nash Castro Robert O. Binnewies, and Carol Ash. In addition, the Conservancy will thank the U.S. Senator from New Jersey, the Honorable Frank R. Lautenberg, for facilitating the purchase of Sterling Forest State Park and for his individual gift of the U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg Visitor Center at Sterling Forest State Park.

An enthusiastic and dedicated park worker, Tim's energy, love for this place, and his quickness and ability to lead is a lesson for all of us who had the privilege to know and work along side him.

The Conservancy is pleased to announce a $50,000 grant from the American Express Foundation! The funds will advance our $1.5 million goal needed to restore the Tower of Victory at Washington’s Headquarters in Newburgh, New York.

We are pleased to announce that about 400 of our archival images have just been made available online. For the past few months, we have worked with Hudson MicroImaging to digitize 1,700 glass Lantern Slides donated to us by the American Museum of Natural History in the 1920s and another 300 larger glass plate negatives taken by famous photographer William Thompson Howell.

Next year will be the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Harriman State Park Group Camps program. In celebration of this important centennial, the Rockland County Historical Society will host an exhibit of the Harriman camp experience. The show will open in May of 2013 and continue through the summer.

Fall Photo of the Month Winner

Trailside Museums and Zoo's new coyote has finally been named.

Facebook will also be carrying images and articles dealing with the recently renovated Museum Building, which is gearing up for the December 1st opening of “Unpacked and Rediscovered: Selections from Washington’s Headquarters’ Collection.” The exhibits will display over 1,300 artifacts.

Many of the PIPC historic site are now closed for the season and only open for special events, tours or holiday programs.

2012 Gala was a huge success! Thanks for your support!

Photo of the Month Winner for August 2012

Park Poem: "August Days"

Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site in the news...

Update on Tiorati Brook Road Construction

Appalachian Trail Turns 75!

July 2012 Photo of the Month Winner

June marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of Harriman State Park's Lake Welch.

Carpenter’s Grove, the new picnic spot along the road to Hazard’s Dock boat launch just south of the George Washington Bridge at Ross Dock Picnic Area is now open.

Ode to a Daisy by Suzzanne Hamilton

Winner of the June 2012 Photo of the Month contest.

Saturday, June 2nd, is National Trails Day. All across the country, outdoor organizations, hiking clubs, conservation groups, and parks will host events designed to get people outside and going for a walk. This year, there are at least 40 events taking place across NY, many that are located in or near Palisades Interstate Park Commission lands.

May is Historic Preservation month. This year’s theme is "Discovering Our Hidden Gems." The Palisades Parks Conservancy works with the Palisades Interstate Park Commission to maintain and preserve dozens of historically significant sites. Some are well known, like Washington's Headquarters and Fort Montgomery Battle Site. But some are less well known. In keeping with the theme of this year's preservation month, here are some suggested Palisade’s gems to visit.

Managing electronic waste is a major concern since this technology is created using heavy metals like lead and mercury. E-waste includes cell phones, computers, televisions, VCRs, copiers, and fax machines – basically anything with a battery or a plug. Some of this equipment can be recycled or donated to charity but most that is left as waste is obsolete and/or broken.

2012 Summer Swimming Information: Locations, Hours of Operation, Fees and more...

The course boasts stunning views of the Palisades cliffs, the Hudson River, and Manhattan skyline along the historic Hudson River Drive. The Half-Marathon starts at 9:00 AM from Ross Dock park in Fort Lee, NJ. The 5K starts immediately after the half-marathon.

Since the spring of 2008, under Timberland’s Path of Service Program, the Woodbury Commons (NY) Timberland store has graciously sent volunteers to the New Windsor Cantonment, Knox’s Headquarters, and the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. Over the past four years, Timberland employees have devoted approximately 2,000 service hours to various projects at the three historic sites. In January and February of 2012 alone, the Woodbury Timberland Store devoted 430 hours to projects at New Windsor Cantonment and Knox’s Headquarters State Historic Sites.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation today announced that it will create smoke-free areas in outdoor settings within state parks and historic sites where large numbers of people congregate, including around playgrounds and pools.

Michael S. McGurty, Acting Facility Manager/Interpretive Programs Assistant at the New Windsor Cantonment & Knox's Headquarters State Historic Sites has been awarded the William Emerson Writing Award for his article, “A Tolerably Decent Appearance: The Clothing of the Continental Army at the New Windsor Cantonment, 1782-83," published in The Company of Military Historians Journal.

Plastics are everywhere, some are safe but some should be avoided. Make it a habit to check out the plastic recycling code on the bottom of food containers, toys, and household products before purchasing and pass up those that are unsafe for you, your children, your pets, and the planet.

Palisades Parks Conservancy's 2011 Accomplishments.

Work to replace a water line that runs through the Popolopen Gorge in Harriman-Bear Mountain State Parks will close the Popolopen Gorge Trail and portions of the 1779, 1777W and Timp Torne Trails beginning at about the end of September. The closure will affect trails for a distance of 2.2 miles through the Gorge.

Works of Art that will be featured in the silent auction at the 9th annual Ross Dock Benefit on June 9, 2011.

Detailed Information on Swimming at our Pools and Beaches.

While some of the 35 miles of carriage roads at Minnewaska receive dedicated funding and are maintained to the highest standards for heavy use, many of them are in a serious state of decline and face restrictions of access and eventual closure unless incremental improvements are completed.The damage from floods, ice storms, and foot, horse, and bicycle traffic has led to the point where deferral is no longer an option, and reduced services are becoming more commonplace every year.

2011 Fishing and Boating Permit Information for the Palisades Interstate Park. Please note: permits are required within the Park and visitors are must follow all rules and regulations.

One hundred years ago this month, less than a year after the Harriman gift of $1,000,000 and 10,000 acres was used to raise an additional $4.5 million in private and state funds, the Palisades Interstate Park Commission began its purchase of the five quarries that were steadily eating away at the stately Hook Mountain ridge between Nyack and Haverstraw, New York. Happy Anniversary Hook Mountain!

A Lifeguard Qualifying Exam, which consists of demonstrating Swimming Ability, CPR and Lifeguarding Skills, will take place at the Monroe Woodbury Middle School (199 Dunderberg Rd. Central Valley, NY 10917) at 9 AM on Sunday, March 27, 2011.

SPEAK UP FOR NEW YORK STATE'S TREASURES: Together, we made sure that the Governor and the powers that be in Albany know how important parks and historic sites are to the people of New York and to the economy of the state.

Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site is pleased to announce that this year’s recipient of the Martha Washington Woman of History Award is community activist, Mara Farrell

The State Trail Worker Award recognizes an individual that has demonstrated outstanding contributions and provided consistent support for trail planning, development, or maintenance. It is intended to recognize the commitment and efforts of a private or public sector individual working for enhanced trail recreation in their local area/state.

Each Month, we select a "Photo of the Month". Have you taken a great photograph of one of our parks or historic sites? Submit Your Photos Here

November 2010 Newsletter: New Board Member, Park Profile, Green Tips and Photo of the Month

Martha Washington Woman of the History Award: Any woman who has made a contribution to the history of the Hudson Valley through education, promotion, or preservation is eligible to be nominated for this award. Deadline for receipt of applications is January 7, 2011. The 2011 award will be presented at “The General’s Lady” on Saturday, March 26, 2011.

October is New York State Archives and National Archives Month, a time to celebrate and promote the rich and diverse documentary heritage of our great state by increasing public awareness of archival materials and repositories and by acknowledging the importance of our records keepers.

Bratwurst and knockwurst. Lederhosen and dirndls. Polka and oom-pah bands. Plus, plenty of beer to go around. Welcome to Oktoberfest at Bear Mountain.

In the Hudson Valley, state parks reported a 9 percent increase overall in attendance even though budget cuts delayed some openings. The Bear Mountain State Park posted a 43.6 percent increase in attendance.

The Bear Mountain Cruise Night that takes place from 6-9 PM every Wednesday during the summer is one of the largest and most popular in the area. You never know who you are going to meet or what type of vehicle is going to be there. The cruise is sponsored by the Rod Benders Car Club of New York partnered with the Palisades Interstate Park Commission.

Information for Twin Forts Day at Fort Montgomery State Historic Site, October 2nd and 3rd, 2010.

Anyone doubting the decision to fully fund our state parks this summer should look to our local public lakes and pools, where lines of cars have started forming early on the weekends and visitor numbers have hit record levels.

After all the research, the meetings, and public input, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation, along with the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, has finally adopted the Minnewaska State Park Preserve Master Plan.

Busy summer for area parks: Bear Mountain, Lake Welch and High Tor had some of the biggest attendance increases in the state so far this year. Estimates show that Bear Mountain had a quarter-million more people than it did last year. (Left: Bear Mountain Pool on 4th of July)

Nearly 800 steps zig and zag and take hikers ever higher, finally depositing those with enough gumption to make the one-mile climb on the top of Bear Mountain.

The four-year, $1 million project, largely done by 700 volunteers doing low-tech rock and quarry work on hundreds of tons of rock, will officially open Saturday at Bear Mountain. It is a reminder of how much the 2,179-mile footpath that runs through 14 states from Maine to Georgia remains a marvel of volunteer energy, an ever-changing work in progress and a cherished green atavism in a world that feels more degraded by the day.