What inspired me to write a book about the hidden waterways within New York City? Read on… (more…)
State Parks of the Thousand Islands
Here are the State Parks of the Thousand Islands Region, which covers parks on the east shore of Lake Ontario, along the St. Lawrence River, the northern edge of the Adirondacks, and on Lake Champlain. This region has many parks accessible only by boat during the warm months, including a four-acre island with a historic lighthouse.
The most sparsely populated of the state park regions, Thousand Islands has hundreds of campsites for tents, cabins, and RVs. Besides its shoreline parks, the region has Whetstone Gulf, a gorge carved into the Tug Hill plateau; Ganienkeh, an undeveloped state park managed by the native Mohawk community; and one of two state parks named for Robert Moses. Both of the parks named for the master builder have beaches and touch on geographic extremes. The one on Long Island is on the Atlantic Ocean, and the Robert Moses State Park of the Thousand Islands extends north of the 45th parallel that marks most of the land border between New York and Quebec.
I look forward to your comments, complaints, and compliments.
State Parks of the Central Region
Here are the State Parks of the Central Region, which covers counties near Syracuse, Utica, Rome, and Binghamton. This region includes edges of the Mohawk River valley, the Great Lakes, Finger Lakes, Allegheny Plateau, and includes the Erie Canal. A bit of everything can be found in the Central Region of New York state.
Notable parks in this video include the smallest state park that is open for roughly three weeks, Verona Beach on the eastern side of Lake Oneida and Selkirk Shores on Lake Ontario. Military history in some of these parks relates to the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, and the War of 1812. Many of the parks in this region were developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, a work creation program during the Great Depression that expanded amenities within these parks.
I look forward to your comments, complaints, and compliments.
State Parks of the Saratoga/Capital District Region
Continuing the series on the centennial of NYS Parks, here are the State Parks of the Saratoga/Capital District Region, which covers counties around the capital city of Albany, the Mohawk River valley, and edges of the Adirondack and Catskill mountains.
Sizable parks in this video include Saratoga Spa, John Boyd Thacher, and Moreau Lake, with other sites relating to the Dutch colonial period, Revolutionary War, and the Erie Canal.
State Parks of the Taconic Region
When I am not writing about waterways, I make videos on the history of parks. Continuing the series on the centernnial of NYS Parks, here are the State Parks of the Taconic Region, which covers the left bank of the Hudson River in the Hudson Valley region..
The video is timed for the centennial of the agency administering New York’s state parks, which was created in 1924. In this episode, the parks include Clarence Fahnestock, Hudson Highlands, and Staatsburgh, with hiking trails, historic mansions, freshwater beaches, connected by a scenic parkway.
For each park, I provide the official map and images relating to the park’s history and unique attractions.
With each month, I will add more videos covering each New York state parks region.
State Parks of the Palisades Region
When I am not writing about waterways, I make videos on the history of parks. Recently I published one on the State Parks of the Palisades Region, the region covering the right bank of the Hudson River in the Hudson Valley region.
The video is timed for the centennial of the agency administering New York’s state parks, which was created in 1924. In this episode, the parks include Bear Mountain, Minnewaska, and Harriman, which have the closest freshwater beaches to New York City. It also has parks where Revolutionary War battles were fought.
For each park, I provide the official map and images relating to the park’s history and unique attractions.
With each month, I will add more videos covering each New York state parks region.
Clear Stream, Valley Stream
Within the suburban village of Valley Stream is the waterway that gave the village its name and one of its tributaries is Clear Stream, whose name is preserved on a street and school. Nearly the entire course of this brook has been drained and channeled beneath the surface.
At Fir Street the course of the creek appears as an alley owned by the village with a drain that contributes to the watershed of Clear Stream. This undeveloped parcel marks the former aqueduct that provided water to Brooklyn in the 19th century. The actual stream is a few yards to the east, a meandering property line behind backyards where it flowed prior to suburbanization.
Continue readingMacGregory Brook, Peekskill
To the north of NYC along the Hudson River are smaller cities that relate as much to the state’s defining river as its local tributaries that provided drinking water, powered its mills, and industries. Many such creeks have been driven underground to reduce flooding and open more land for development. In this post-industrial century, Hudson Valley towns and cities are rediscovering their hidden waterways for their cultural and ecological value.
At its mouth, MacGregory Brook flows into the Hudson River at Peekskill Landing Park, but in much of the city, it flows beneath streets and buildings. This creek powered mills and factories during the industrial period of the 19th century. Portions of it were daylighted but most of it remains under the surface.
Continue readingTown of Hempstead Parks Tour
When I am not writing about waterways, I make videos on the history of parks. Following up on the State Parks of New York City, and the State Parks of Long Island, here are the Town Parks of Hempstead, the most populated community in this region to the east of NYC.
More than 40 parks appear in this video that describes their geography, history, design, and potential. On the suburban landscape, most residents have their backyards as private green spaces for themselves, their children, and pets. But parks bring people together, forming friendships, and a sense of community. Parks connect people to history and nature. This video explains their importance to the 793,000+ residents of the Town of Hempstead.
Waterfowl Marsh, Queens Zoo
In contrast to the natural terrain of the Bronx Zoo, the landscape of the Queens Zoo was constructed atop a former fairground. In the half century since its opening in 1968, the empty fairground has grown into a forest and its pond expanded to accommodate more zoo residents.
At first glance, the waterfowl marsh at the Queens Zoo appears as natural as the freshwater habitats of the Bronx Zoo, which are tributaries of the Bronx River. But this pond is artificial, created in 1968 for the ducks and other birds that either reside in the zoo on who happen to stop here for a meal.
Continue readingState Parks of New York City
When I am not writing about waterways, I make videos on the history of parks. Recently I published one on the State Parks of New York City, the smallest and most populated region of New York State Parks.
There are 10 state parks in NYC. Concerning waterways, these parks include waterfronts, inlets, and ponds. Former railyards, landfills, salt marshes, and forests, are included in this collection of state parks. This videos is a good way to welcome the summer season.
Among those which I’ve documented here are:
Hidden Waters blog 