Local State Parks Events

View the sky on the shortest night of the year, try your hand at fishing or take a dip in the cool waters at Grafton Lakes and Cherry Plain State Parks. These local state parks offer a variety of activities for nature lovers, sunbathers and outdoor enthusiasts.
On Saturday, June 20, the Albany Area Astronomers Association hosts a Summer Solstice Star Watch at 9 pm at the Deerfield Pavilion in Grafton Lakes State Park. The event is free and AAAA provides telescopes to view the wonders of the night sky.
On Saturday, June 27, DEC Fisheries Educators will offer “Go Fish! An Intro to Fishing for Families” from 1 to 3 pm. The program assembles by the boathouse on Long Pond in Grafton Lakes State Park. Children and parents will learn the basics of fishing and identification, with fishing poles provided by DEC for this free class.
Both Grafton Lakes State Park and Cherry Plain State Park will also offer fishing without a license for June 27 and 28, as part of DEC’s Free Fishing Weekend.
Grafton Lakes State Park’s Beach Nature Center will be open on Saturdays until June 27 and thereafter from 12 to 2 pm Friday-Tuesday throughout the summer. Bring the kids to meet local amphibians and our diverse animal skulls collection or play with animal tracks, nature games and puzzles. The Park’s 25 miles of hiking trails are also open to bikers and hikers 365 days a year.
Cherry Plain State Park’s beach begins its summer schedule on June 27, when it expands from just weekends to Wednesday-Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm. Camping begins July 3 and extends through Labor Day. See www.reserveamerica.com for reservations.
For more information about these and our other summer program offerings, please contact the Park naturalists at 279-1155.