More than $5 Million in Recent State Accessibility Projects Completed to Expand Recreational Opportunities for People of All Ages and Abilities  

New Yorkers Encouraged to Visit DEC and State Parks Destinations During ‘Get Outdoors & Get Together Day’ Events on Saturday, June 8

Photos of Recent Projects Available Here

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced a new easy-to-use map of accessible recreation features and the completion of more than $5 million in recreation upgrades to enhance the experience of persons with disabilities who access DEC’s lands and services. During an event at the Mount Loretto Unique Area on Staten Island, DEC joined partners to highlight the agency's commitment to accessibility projects that expand opportunities for visitors of all ages and abilities to enjoy outdoor recreation on State lands and launched an Accessible Recreation Destinations Map designed to showcase wheelchair-accessible features at education centers, campgrounds and day use areas, waterway access sites, and trails, among other features. 

“DEC welcomes outdoor adventurers of all ages and abilities to visit New York’s world-class State lands and is committed to expanding accessible outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the state,” DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said. “With easy-to-use enhanced mapping features and ongoing accessibility infrastructure improvements, DEC is working hard to ensure everyone can find and enjoy the abundant recreational opportunities and facilities in communities across New York State.”

Finding Accessible Recreation Opportunities

DEC's newly launched Accessible Recreation Destinations Map displays 266 destinations across New York State with wheelchair accessible outdoor recreation opportunities, including:

• 84 locations with accessible boating facilities;
• 58 locations with accessible fishing facilities;
• 44 locations with accessible camping facilities;
• 50 locations with accessible hiking trails;
• 10 locations with an accessible beach access route; and
• 47 locations with accessible picnic facilities.

For more information, including descriptions and photo galleries of accessible boating, fishing, camping, hiking, and picnic facilities, visit the DEC website. Accessible recreation features at DEC facilities are consistent with the federal accessibility standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Architectural Barriers Act (ABA):

• Accessible boat launches, fishing platforms, and picnic and viewing areas have wheelchair accessible amenities and are accessible by an outdoor access route or accessible trail;
• Accessible campsites are designed for use by people with mobility disabilities and offer an accessible picnic table and fireplace/ring, along with a firm, graded surface suitable for navigation of a mobility device; and
• Accessible trails have shallow grades, wide tread, and firm compact surfaces of crushed stone, boardwalk, and pavement.
  

In addition to the map, information on accessible recreation was refreshed throughout DEC’s website to ensure consistent and accurate information for the public on all recreation webpages.

New York State's Chief Disability Officer Kimberly Hill Ridley said, “I am thrilled at the measures DEC is taking to ensure accessibility for so many of the recreational features that are a part of New York State's incredible outdoor spaces. People with disabilities deserve and are entitled to take great advantage of the wonderful opportunities that New York has to offer, and that certainly includes the outdoor activities that benefit health, well-being, and state of mind.”

New York State Parks Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said, “New York State Parks is committed to improving access to outdoor recreation and ensuring that all people of all abilities feel welcome at our parks and have an equal opportunity to experience all that we offer. I encourage families and friends to participate in Get Outdoors and Get Together Day this year, which further highlights some of New York’s amazing state lands and accessible recreational opportunities that are available for everyone to enjoy.”

New York State Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner Viviana DeCohen said, “Access to outdoor experiences is extraordinarily helpful for Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families. As a partner agency of Get Outdoors & Get Together Day, we are always grateful to join forces whenever we can with any initiatives focusing on providing safe, accessible, and fun adventures in outdoor areas. These new accessible enhancements will ensure that many New Yorkers, including many Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families, will get to enjoy the great outdoors in new ways.”

New York State Office for the Aging Director Greg Olsen said, “In 2017, New York was designated as the first age-friendly state in the nation by meeting eight important features, including outdoor spaces and social inclusion. I applaud the DEC for their continuous efforts to increase outdoor recreational accessibility for New Yorkers of all ages and abilities, continuing to build on New York’s promise as an age-friendly and inclusive state. As NYSOFA continuously promotes intergenerational activity, we encourage older adults to participate in Get Outdoors & Get Together Day with their younger family and friends this weekend.” 

New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities Kerri Neifeld said, “Inclusivity begins with consideration for everyone’s abilities and preferences when enjoying all our great state has to offer. It’s wonderful to see adaptable equipment for fishing and boating, upgraded facilities onsite, accessible trails and mapped locations available for all New Yorkers to plan outdoor adventures with friends and family. We invite you to join us with DEC, NYS Parks and Veterans’ Services on Saturday, June 8 for inclusive fun at Get Outdoors and Get Together Day at a location near you.”

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, “Getting outdoors and spending time in nature has tremendous benefits for our well-being. I applaud Governor Hochul for her work to ensure that New York’s public lands are accessible for all New Yorkers to enjoy. With a variety of free events and activities aimed at connecting people of all abilities, ages, identities, and backgrounds to the outdoors, ‘Get Outdoors & Get Together Day’ is a great opportunity for everyone to enjoy New York’s magnificent and accessible public spaces together.”

Empire State Development Vice President and Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi said, "New York State is an amazing tapestry of natural beauty and with unparalleled outdoor experiences which residents and visitors are enthusiastically invited to discover. The new Accessible Recreation Destinations Map will complement I LOVE NY's efforts under the Accessible New York program to promote travel to guests of all abilities, and encourage more visitors to see for themselves how easy it is to love New York."

DEC Accessibility Advisory Committee and Adirondack Park Agency Chair Jason Thurston said, “With this new interactive map, DEC has provided a tool for people with disabilities to find the over 260 places throughout state lands that offer opportunities for people with limited mobility to get outside. Our committee is comprised of community members with disabilities who are passionate about the outdoors and environmental conservation-- people who have experience on a personal level and as advocates for systems change. Continued engagement of the disability community is critical in expanding opportunities for those who have had limited access to our NYS public lands.”

Recently Completed Accessibility Improvement Projects

DEC completed the following projects on State lands to improve access for New Yorkers of all ages and abilities:

• Mount Loretto Unique Area in Richmond County: DEC Region 2 Operations completed a new accessible wetlands trail that provides a half-mile accessible trail. The trail incorporates a stone dust trail and elevated boardwalk that culminates in a new viewing area overlooking tidal wetlands and an inlet. This improved path provides additional access to the beach at Mount Loretto Unique Area and connects with other accessible features on the property. Funding for this project was provided by the State’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and NY Works for a total investment of $835,000.

• Mongaup Pond Campground and Day Use Area in Sullivan County: DEC completed two new shower buildings to provide visitors with modern restrooms and showers fully accessible to people with disabilities, including all gender toilet and shower rooms. One of the new shower buildings is conveniently located in the day use area for people visiting the beach and accessible picnic area and fishing platform; the other new building is in the camping area in Loop G on the north side of Mongaup Pond. These improvements were funded with $3.9 million from the EPF and NY Works.

• Caroga Lake, Meacham Lake, and Lake Eaton campgrounds and day use areas in Fulton, Franklin, and Hamilton counties: DEC renovated three restroom buildings in these campgrounds to ADA standards providing wheelchair accessible restroom facilities for visitors. The renovated restrooms at both Caroga Lake and Lake Eaton are conveniently adjacent to the beach and picnic areas. Lake Eaton Campground also offers visitors an accessible picnic area and beach access route for launching hand boats. Meacham Lake Campground has two accessible restrooms buildings, one near the entrance station and the other near Campsite 81 on the eastern side of the Lake, in addition to the existing accessible shower building in the day use area. The project was funded with $329,714 through NY Works. 

• Patridge Run Wildlife WMA in Albany County: DEC completed construction of a half-mile long accessible interpretive trail. The project led by DEC’s Bureau of Wildlife’s Young Forest Initiative and completed by DEC Region 4 Operations staff is designed to increase public awareness about forest management and protection specifically as it relates to wildlife management. The long loop trail offers low-angle displays and information about different stages of forest growth and benefits to wildlife. This site also has an accessible viewing tower constructed in 2020 that provides an elevated view of vegetation managed by the Young Forest Initiative. The interpretive trail project was funded with $132,177 from the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Fund, the EPF, and NY Works. Partridge Run WMA recreational opportunities include hunting, trapping, fishing, wildlife viewing and photography, and is a location on the New York State Birding Trail.

• Arnold Lake State Forest in Otsego County: DEC Region 4 Operations completed a new accessible route to a newly constructed lean-to. Arnold Lake State Forest is 1,266 acres and used by visitors for hiking, camping, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, Nordic skiing, hunting, trapping, and wildlife watching. The project was funded with $26,529 through NY Works and expands opportunities for the public and people of all abilities to enjoy recreational activities on State lands, including a peaceful camping experience.
  

All projects advance DEC’s ‘Adventure NY’ initiative aimed at connecting New York families and visitors to the great outdoors and improving their experience.

Get Outdoors & Get Together Day

'Get Outdoors & Get Together Day' will be held this Saturday, June 8, with events at more than 20 state locations across New York to bring people of all abilities, ages, identities, and backgrounds together for fun, healthy activities. As part of the Governor's initiative to broaden the diversity of users and ensure inclusivity of access to state public lands, DEC and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, in partnership with the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities and the Department of Veterans' Services, are hosting free events to connect people to nature and provide increased access to the outdoors.

For more information, visit the DEC website at https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/outdoors-day

DEC’s Commitment to Accessibility and Inclusion

DEC is committed to accommodate people with disabilities through a variety of programs, including discounts for outdoor recreation, free/reduced fee sporting licenses, permits and accommodations for hunters with disabilities, and Motorized Access Permits for People with Disabilities (MAPPWD) for people with qualifying disabilities. Learn more about Accessible Recreation at DEC’s website. In April, DEC announced the creation of the agency’s first-ever Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Civil Rights to help build a stronger, more diverse DEC to represent and serve all New Yorkers. The office advises all the agency’s programs and operations and reports to the Deputy Commissioner for Equity and Justice, and focuses on four main objectives:

• Ensure compliance with Federal and State Civil Rights requirements;
• Expand DEC’s language access offerings both in written documents and public meetings;
• Ensure compliance with ADA in DEC operations and implementation of Executive Order 31 to meet internal accessibility goals; and
• Oversee strategic planning and initiatives for workplace diversity inclusion and belonging.