The New York Power Authority is reminding us of its
free recreational facilities around the state. Talk about combining a safe road
trip with an in-state “staycation” experience that includes beautiful scenic
hiking trails, camping, fishing, boating, picnicking, swimming and fun
activities for the entire family.
“After months indoors, New
Yorkers are looking for opportunities to safely recreate near home, and the
good news is that summer vacations are still possible and affordable by
visiting one of NYPA’s free recreation facilities,” said NYPA president and CEO
Gil C. Quiniones. “For families looking for healthy, safe activities, closer to
home, a New York ‘staycation’ is, literally, just what the doctored ordered.”
The opportunities are
statewide, from visits all the way to Niagara, as well as beaches in the Adirondacks,
St. Lawrence and Thousand Islands areas and, much closer to the Hudson Valley,
the beautiful and lesser-traveled Schoharie Valley, located in the foothills of
the Catskill Mountains.
Among the latter’s resources
are a NYPA Visitors Center and historic Lansing Manor site in North Blenheim, a
nearby Pumped Storage Power Project reservoir at the top of a mountain ridge,
Minekill State Park’s Olympic-sized swimming pool, dive tank and kiddies pool,
and other areas with picnic spots, fishing access, and even nearby camping
facilities. All in a valley filled with fresh, healthy produce.
These recreation facilities owned and developed by
NYPA – with some managed by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYS Parks), were developed as part of the federal licenses
issued to NYPA by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for the construction
and operation of the Niagara Power Project, the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project and the Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project in Lewiston, Massena
and Gilboa, respectively.
All sites are following New York State guidelines for
prevention of COVID-19, with reduced capacity, social distancing and mask
requirements, and plenty of hand sanitizer stations.
Talk about some cool, safe
getaways!