PALISADES INTERSTATE PARK COMMISSION CALENDAR OF EVENTS and more! (as of 9/22/21 but subject to change at any time--please call the listed number to confirm) For the correct information about NY’s state parks and historic sites, see www.nysparks.com. For our NJ SECTION, visit www.njpalisades.org. Our Conservancy website is www.mypalisades.org. Follow us on facebook.com/palisadesparks or @PalisadesParks. Many of our individual parks, sites, and friends groups have their own Facebook and Twitter accounts. We also have a YouTube channel (Palisades Interstate Park Commission Television) where you can watch informative videos about our park system. All visitors are required to comply with the respective state’s directives regarding masking, social distancing, and indoor / outdoor gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Restrictions and requirements may change based on any future executive orders issued by the governor(s). Visit our websites for more info. NEW JERSEY CLOSINGS: Due to significant damage from Hurricane Ida, the southern riverfront areas (Hazard’s Ramp, Ross Dock, Englewood, Undercliff, the Shore Trail south of Huyler’s Landing, connecting trails south of Huyler’s, Henry Hudson Drive, and Dyckman Hill (Exit 1 to Englewood Picnic Area), are CLOSED TO ALL USE until further notice. Fort Lee Historic Park, Allison Park, State Line Lookout, the Long Path, and Alpine Picnic Area are open. NOTE: Barbeques are not allowed in the clifftop areas, only in Alpine. Please check www.njpalisades.org for advisories and updates. ZOO NEWS: Trailside Museums & Zoo is getting new animal habitats! Due to active construction, Trailside will be closing periodically to the public. For the most up-to-date information, please visit our website https://www.trailsidemuseumsandzoo.org/visit-trailside/. PLEASE NOTE: Especially on weekends and holidays, parking areas in both states will fill to capacity early so access may be denied and roads may be closed. We encourage visitors to plan their trips for off-peak periods such as weekdays or early/late in the day on weekends. PARKING ALONG ROADS AND IN NON-DESIGNATED AREAS IS PROHIBITED. VIOLATORS MAY BE TICKETED, TOWED, OR BOTH. When a barrier or sign has been put in place by the Park Police or the Park Commission on any of its roadways, the roadway beyond that barrier is to be considered closed for ALL use. §408.1(h) Dry conditions, lots of leaves, and windy days can lead to extreme fire danger in our parks and historic sites. Please be careful when you use our facilities. If you see or smell smoke, tell a park employee or call the NY State Park Police at 845-786-2781 or the NJ Section Police at 201-768-6001. Park staff and volunteers spend way too many hours a year collecting litter in picnic areas, on trails, and by roadsides. If we didn’t have to do this, we could use that time and money for other programs and projects. Please respect us and your fellow visitors: DO NOT LITTER. PLEASE USE THE CONTAINERS WE PROVIDE. It is common to encounter what may appear to be sick, injured, or orphaned young animals in the parks. Most often, these animals are healthy — and safe — where they are! DO NOT DISTURB THEM. FOR ALL HIKERS: Wear sturdy shoes and bring plenty of water and snacks. Dress and pack for all possible weather conditions. Layers are wisest since you can add or remove as you go. We recommend long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and hats for protection against poison ivy, ticks (deer and dog), and sunburn. Insect repellent, sunscreen, rain gear, an extra pair of socks, a first aid kit, and a paper map (cell phone service can be very spotty or non-existent in many of our areas) should be in your pack too. Pets may enjoy the trails with you but they must be on a leash at all times. Always tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return. FOR ALL VISITORS: Poisonous snakes live in the parks (copperheads in NY and NJ, rattlesnakes in NY) so refrain from going off-trail as they like sunny rocks and obscure places. They do not attack but will defend themselves if cornered or disturbed. Black bears are active in many of our NY parks. Never approach, surround, run, or try to take “selfies” with a bear. Make lots of noise, make yourself look bigger than the bear, and back away slowly. Do not feed, touch, remove, or introduce any wildlife or flora. For more info about these and other safety concerns, go to “Advisories” on our NJ website. For more info on bears, go to dec.ny.gov/animals/94710 or dec.ny.gov/animals/6960. Please take only photos and leave nothing but footprints. FOR ALL PROGRAMS, participation may be limited. Unless noted, only pre-registered (by phone, not email) people will be allowed at the events. A PARENT OR GUARDIAN OVER THE AGE OF 18 MUST ACCOMPANY ANY AND ALL CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN ANY PARK OR HISTORIC SITE PROGRAM AT ALL TIMES. FIRST MORNING BIRD WALK with Rockland Audubon Society (easy+) 7:45 AM SUNDAYS NY: meet in parking lot of Stony Point Battlefield (44 Battlefield Road, off Park Road, off Route 9W in Stony Point) (til 8/2022) Free admission and parking! Bring binoculars. Info: 845-786-2521 SEPT. 25 OUT ‘N BACK HIKE: “MOSSY GLEN” with Nick Martin (moderate+) 9:30 AM (Sat.) NY: Minnewaska State Park Preserve (meet in Lower Parking Area, 5281 Route 44/55, Kerhonkson) Free admission! $10.00 parking per car Registration required: 845-255-0752 SEPT. 25 DROP-IN NATURE: “SPOTTED LANTERNFLY DETECTING DOGS OF THE TRAIL CONFERENCE” 10 AM (Sat.) NY: Minnewaska State Park Preserve (Visitor Center, 5281 Rt. 44/55, Kerhonkson) and again at Free admission! $10.00 parking per car Registration not required. Info: 845-255-0752 1 PM SEPT. 25 LOOP HIKE: “GEOLOGY OF LAKE MARATANZA” with Becca Howe-Parisio (moderate++) 10 AM (Sat.) NY: Minnewaska State Park Preserve (meet at Sam’s Point Visitor Center, 400 Sam’s Point Road in Cragsmoor, off Route 52) Free admission! $10.00 parking per car Bring lunch and water. Registration required: 845-647-7989 SEPT. 25 LIVING HISTORY: “GARRISON DAY” with 3rd NJ Regiment (18th C. soldiering and camp life) 10 AM (Sat.) NY: Fort Montgomery State Historic Site (690 Route 9W, just north of Bear Mountain) to Free admission! Free parking in lot on Rt. 9W north of the fort! Info: 845-786-2134 4 PM SEPT. 25 RANGER NATURE: “DIGGING UP THE PAST” geared for ages 5 to 13 1 PM (Sat.) NY: Sterling Forest State Park (meet at Lautenberg Visitor Center, 116 Old Forge Road in Tuxedo) Free admission and parking! Limited to 25 people. Registration required: 845-351-5907 SEPT. 25 “KITES OVER THE HUDSON” with refreshments and family fun! 2 PM to 4 PM (Sat.) NY: Washington’s Headquarters (corner of Liberty and Washington streets in Newburgh) Free admission and parking, courtesy of Friends of the State Historic Sites of the Hudson Highlands! Info: 845-562-1195 SEPT. 26 LOOP HIKE: “AWOSTING FALLS” with Laura Conner (moderate++) 9:30 AM (Sun.) NY: Minnewaska State Park Preserve (meet in Lower Parking Area, 5281 Route 44/55, Kerhonkson) Free admission! $10.00 parking per car Registration required: 845-255-0752 SEPT. 28 TUESDAY TREK: “GERTRUDE’S NOSE” with Laura Conner (modestly challenging) 9:30 AM (Tues.) NY: Minnewaska State Park Preserve (meet at Visitor Center, 5281 Route 44/55, Kerhonkson) to Free admission! $10.00 parking Bring water and lunch. Registration required: 845-255-0752 2:30 PM SEPT. 29 HUDSON VALLEY RAMBLE: “STERLING FOREST FIRE TOWER” (moderate+) 10 AM (Sun.) NY: Sterling Forest State Park (meet at Lautenberg Visitor Center, 116 Old Forge Road in Tuxedo) Free admission! Free parking! For ages 10+…..Registration required: 845-351-5907 SEPT. 29 LOOP HIKE: “VERKEERDER KILL FALLS” with park educators (moderate++) 10:30 AM to 3 PM (Wed.) NY: Minnewaska State Park Preserve (meet at Sam’s Point Visitor Center, 400 Sam’s Point Road in Cragsmoor, off Route 52) Free admission! $10.00 parking per car Bring water and lunch. Registration required: 845-647-7989 MONTH GALLERY SPOTLIGHT: “FURROW PROJECT (seed artwork)” by Sergey Jivetin 9 AM to 4 PM of NY: Minnewaska State Park Preserve (Sam’s Point Visitor Center, 400 Sam’s Point Road in Cragsmoor, off Route 52) OCT. Free admission! $10.00 parking per car Info: 845-647-7989 FIRST THE NATIVE PLANT GARDEN AT THE MINNEWASKA VISITOR CENTER with Nick Martin 11 AM FRIDAY NY: Minnewaska State Park Preserve (meet at the Visitor Center, 5281 Rt. 44/55, Kerhonkson) VOLUNTEERS Free admission and parking! Wear/bring work clothes and gloves. Registration required: 845-255-0752 OCT. 1 NATURE WALK: “THE CRANBERRIES OF LAKE MARATANZA” 1 PM (Fri.) NY: Minnewaska State Park Preserve (meet at Sam’s Point Visitor Center, 400 Sam’s Point Road in Cragsmoor, off Route 52) Free admission! $10.00 parking per car Registration and an adult required: 845-647-7989 OCT. 2 ALL DAY HIKE: “SHINGLE GULLY CREVICE CAVES” (strenuous; experienced hikers only) 9:30 AM - 5 PM OCT. 8 ALL DAY HIKE: “SHINGLE GULLY CREVICE CAVES” (strenuous; experienced hikers only) 9:30 AM - 5 PM OCT. 10 ALL DAY HIKE: “SHINGLE GULLY CREVICE CAVES” (strenuous; experienced hikers only) 9:30 AM - 5 PM OCT. 17 ALL DAY HIKE: “SHINGLE GULLY CREVICE CAVES” (strenuous; experienced hikers only) 9:30 AM - 5 PM NY: Minnewaska State Park Preserve (meet at Sam’s Point Visitor Center, 400 Sam’s Point Road in Cragsmoor, off Route 52) Free admission! $10.00 parking Bring water, snacks, lunch.