Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

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19 events matched your search
Sat 29 Mar
Drop-In Snowshoe Lessons at Sam’s Point Preserve
Saturday, March 29, 2025 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Sam's Point Area
This opportunity is being offered at 11:00 a.m. every Saturday in December, January, February, and March, weather permitting. It is designed for people who are beginners, interested in trying snowshoeing as a new winter activity. Each session will be run by a Sam's Point employee, who will provide instruction on how to properly wear and adjust the snowshoes. They'll also work with you until you are ready to head out on your favorite trail with confidence. The lesson may last up to one hour. Snowshoes are available to rent for this program at a discounted rate of $5 per person at the Sam's Point Visitor Center.
Registration: Not required
Sat 22 Mar
Drop-In Snowshoe Lessons at Sam’s Point Preserve
Saturday, March 22, 2025 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Sam's Point Area
This opportunity is being offered at 11:00 a.m. every Saturday in December, January, February, and March, weather permitting. It is designed for people who are beginners, interested in trying snowshoeing as a new winter activity. Each session will be run by a Sam's Point employee, who will provide instruction on how to properly wear and adjust the snowshoes. They'll also work with you until you are ready to head out on your favorite trail with confidence. The lesson may last up to one hour. Snowshoes are available to rent for this program at a discounted rate of $5 per person at the Sam's Point Visitor Center.
Registration: Not required
Sat 15 Mar
Drop-In Snowshoe Lessons at Sam’s Point Preserve
Saturday, March 15, 2025 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Sam's Point Area
This opportunity is being offered at 11:00 a.m. every Saturday in December, January, February, and March, weather permitting. It is designed for people who are beginners, interested in trying snowshoeing as a new winter activity. Each session will be run by a Sam's Point employee, who will provide instruction on how to properly wear and adjust the snowshoes. They'll also work with you until you are ready to head out on your favorite trail with confidence. The lesson may last up to one hour. Snowshoes are available to rent for this program at a discounted rate of $5 per person at the Sam's Point Visitor Center.
Registration: Not required
Sat 08 Mar
Drop-In Snowshoe Lessons at Sam’s Point Preserve
Saturday, March 8, 2025 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Sam's Point Area
This opportunity is being offered at 11:00 a.m. every Saturday in December, January, February, and March, weather permitting. It is designed for people who are beginners, interested in trying snowshoeing as a new winter activity. Each session will be run by a Sam's Point employee, who will provide instruction on how to properly wear and adjust the snowshoes. They'll also work with you until you are ready to head out on your favorite trail with confidence. The lesson may last up to one hour. Snowshoes are available to rent for this program at a discounted rate of $5 per person at the Sam's Point Visitor Center.
Registration: Not required
Sat 01 Mar
Drop-In Snowshoe Lessons at Sam’s Point Preserve
Saturday, March 1, 2025 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Sam's Point Area
This opportunity is being offered at 11:00 a.m. every Saturday in December, January, February, and March, weather permitting. It is designed for people who are beginners, interested in trying snowshoeing as a new winter activity. Each session will be run by a Sam's Point employee, who will provide instruction on how to properly wear and adjust the snowshoes. They'll also work with you until you are ready to head out on your favorite trail with confidence. The lesson may last up to one hour. Snowshoes are available to rent for this program at a discounted rate of $5 per person at the Sam's Point Visitor Center.
Registration: Not required
Sat 22 Feb
History of Sam’s Point: Virtual Program at the Cragsmoor Library
Saturday, February 22, 2025 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Sam's Point Area
(845) 647-4611

Join Becca Howe-Parisio, virtually, along with the Cragsmoor Library, to learn all about the history of the Sam's Point Area of Minnewaska State Park Preserve. We will dive back in time to talk about how the Shawangunk Mountains were formed, then, we'll discuss other natural and historical events that have happened here. We will finish by discussing what a Park Preserve is and how Sam's Point qualified to become one. There will be an opportunity to share individual stories at the end of the program. Contact the Cragsmoor Free Library to receive the Zoom link. Pre-registration is required by calling April Marl, Social Media Manager & Events Planner at 845-647-4611 or by emailing April@cragsmoorfreelibrary.info.
Registration: Required
Sat 22 Feb
Drop-In Snowshoe Lessons at Sam’s Point Preserve
Saturday, February 22, 2025 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Sam's Point Area
This opportunity is being offered at 11:00 a.m. every Saturday in December, January, February, and March, weather permitting. It is designed for people who are beginners, interested in trying snowshoeing as a new winter activity. Each session will be run by a Sam's Point employee, who will provide instruction on how to properly wear and adjust the snowshoes. They'll also work with you until you are ready to head out on your favorite trail with confidence. The lesson may last up to one hour. Snowshoes are available to rent for this program at a discounted rate of $5 per person at the Sam's Point Visitor Center.
Registration: Not required
Fri 21 Feb
Field Guide Friday: Who Pooped at Sam’s Point
Friday, February 21, 2025 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Sam's Point Area
(845) 647-7989

Dust off your old, field identification guides and join Becca Howe-Parisio, Environmental Educator, on a hike to learn how to use it. On this three-mile, moderate adventure, we will search for scat and use a field guide to identify different critters living in the Park Preserve. We will also be looking out for other animal signs, not just scat. Taking the time to learn scat, using field guides and rulers, reinforces your knowledge of the unique characteristics of the animal we are observing. This leaves a more durable memory than the quick impression made when using apps on technology. Do not fret if you don't own a field guide to mammals, there will be field guides available to borrow. Field Guide Friday will be a monthly program, focusing on different topics as the seasons change. This program is suited for anyone who is old enough to read and is interested in learning how to use a book to identify plants, insects, and more. Participants must bring water and snacks and wear appropriate hiking shoes. Meet at the Sam's Point Visitor Center. Pre-registration is required by calling the Sam's Point Visitor Center at 845-647-7989.
Registration: Required
Mon 17 Feb
Upcycled Crafts for Families at Sam’s Point
Monday, February 17, 2025 10:30 AM - 01:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Sam's Point Area
Bring your family and join the Sam's Point Educators to make creative, upcycled crafts. We'll provide the supplies for you to make zines, collages and nature journals from recycled magazines, calendars and other paper materials. Bring your inspiration and ideas and enjoy a relaxing afternoon of crafting! Meet at the Sam's Point Visitor Center. This is a drop-in program and pre-registration is NOT required.
Registration: Not required
Sat 15 Feb
Nature Crafts for Families at Sam’s Point
Saturday, February 15, 2025 11:30 AM - 01:30 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Sam's Point Area
Bring your family and join the Sam's Point Educators to make nature-based crafts at the Sam's Point Visitor Center. We'll have the supplies and inspiration to make decorative ornaments from wood cookies, bookmarks from dried flowers and nature journals from paper. Meet at the Sam's Point Visitor Center. This is a drop-in program. Pre-registration is NOT required.
Registration: Not required
Sat 15 Feb
Drop-In Snowshoe Lessons at Sam’s Point Preserve
Saturday, February 15, 2025 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Sam's Point Area
This opportunity is being offered at 11:00 a.m. every Saturday in December, January, February, and March, weather permitting. It is designed for people who are beginners, interested in trying snowshoeing as a new winter activity. Each session will be run by a Sam's Point employee, who will provide instruction on how to properly wear and adjust the snowshoes. They'll also work with you until you are ready to head out on your favorite trail with confidence. The lesson may last up to one hour. Snowshoes are available to rent for this program at a discounted rate of $5 per person at the Sam's Point Visitor Center.
Registration: Not required
Sat 08 Feb
Viewing of Crypt of the Megafauna and a Q&A with Dr. Luis Espinasa at Sam’s Point
Saturday, February 8, 2025 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Sam's Point Area
Join the Sam's Point Staff and Luis Espinasa, PhD to view the July 2024 documentary film, Crypt of the Megafauna, at the Sam's Point Visitor Center. Dr. Espinasa is a Marist Professor and cave biologist, who is actively researching the Sam's Point Ice Caves. The Crypt of the Megafauna explores the research he and his team did in Mexico. Crypt of the Megafauna won "Best in Show" at the National Speleological Society convention in the summer of 2024. Crypt of the Megafauna is about the fossils found in a remote cave in Mexico and what the scientists learned from this cave. Dr. Espinasa will be available to answer questions about the film and his current and past research here at Sam's Point, once the film is over. Meet at the Sam's Point Visitor Center. Pre-registration is not required. In the event of bad weather, this viewing will be postponed to February 15, 2025.
Registration: Not required
Sat 08 Feb
Viewing of Crypt of the Megafauna, Documentary Film with Dr. Luis Espinasa at Sam’s Point
Saturday, February 8, 2025 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Sam's Point Area
Join the Sam's Point Staff and Luis Espinasa, PhD, to view the July 2024 documentary film, Crypt of the Megafauna, at the Sam's Point Visitor Center. Dr. Espinasa is a Marist College professor and cave biologist, who is actively researching the Sam's Point Ice Caves. The film showcases the adventurous research carried out by Dr. Espinasa and his team while cave diving in Mexico. The ancient fossils and rare animals they discovered in this remote location represent very exciting scientific breakthroughs. Crypt of the Megafauna won "Best in Show" at the National Speleological Society convention in the summer of 2024. Dr. Espinasa will be available to answer questions about ‘Crypt' and also about his current and past research here at Sam's Point. Meet at the Sam's Point Visitor Center. Pre-registration is not required. In the event of bad weather, this viewing will be postponed to February 15.
Registration: Not required
Sat 08 Feb
Drop-In Snowshoe Lessons at Sam’s Point Preserve
Saturday, February 8, 2025 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Sam's Point Area
This opportunity is being offered at 11:00 a.m. every Saturday in December, January, February, and March, weather permitting. It is designed for people who are beginners, interested in trying snowshoeing as a new winter activity. Each session will be run by a Sam's Point employee, who will provide instruction on how to properly wear and adjust the snowshoes. They'll also work with you until you are ready to head out on your favorite trail with confidence. The lesson may last up to one hour. Snowshoes are available to rent for this program at a discounted rate of $5 per person at the Sam's Point Visitor Center.
Registration: Not required
Sat 01 Feb
Drop-In Snowshoe Lessons at Sam’s Point Preserve
Saturday, February 1, 2025 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Sam's Point Area
This opportunity is being offered at 11:00 a.m. every Saturday in December, January, February, and March, weather permitting. It is designed for people who are beginners, interested in trying snowshoeing as a new winter activity. Each session will be run by a Sam's Point employee, who will provide instruction on how to properly wear and adjust the snowshoes. They'll also work with you until you are ready to head out on your favorite trail with confidence. The lesson may last up to one hour. Snowshoes are available to rent for this program at a discounted rate of $5 per person at the Sam's Point Visitor Center.
Registration: Not required
Sat 25 Jan
Snowshoe Hike to Indian Rock at Sam’s Point
Saturday, January 25, 2025 11:30 AM - 02:30 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Sam's Point Area
(845) 647-7989

Join Becca Howe-Parisio, Environmental Educator, for an interpretive snowshoe hike to Indian Rock. We'll hike past the scenic vista at the Sam's Point Overlook and then make our way around Lake Maratanza. At Indian Rock, we'll enjoy beautiful views of the Catskill Mountains. During this almost five-mile hike, we'll traverse roads and a rocky footpath through a dwarf pitch pine forest and a cranberry bog featuring a bog bridge. Most of the terrain is fairly level with some short, steep sections. Snowshoes are available to rent for $5 at the Visitor Center. Please bring a lunch, water, and appropriate clothing for the weather. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. If there is insufficient snow cover, this program will be offered as a hike and participants are encouraged to bring micro spikes or other ice traction devices. Meet at the Sam's Point Visitor Center. Pre-registration is required by calling Sam's Point at 845-647-7989.
Registration: Required
Sat 25 Jan
Drop-In Snowshoe Lessons at Sam’s Point Preserve
Saturday, January 25, 2025 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Sam's Point Area
This opportunity is being offered at 11:00 a.m. every Saturday in December, January, February, and March, weather permitting. It is designed for people who are beginners, interested in trying snowshoeing as a new winter activity. Each session will be run by a Sam's Point employee, who will provide instruction on how to properly wear and adjust the snowshoes. They'll also work with you until you are ready to head out on your favorite trail with confidence. The lesson may last up to one hour. Snowshoes are available to rent for this program at a discounted rate of $5 per person at the Sam's Point Visitor Center.
Registration: Not required
Mon 20 Jan
Animal Signs on Loop Road at Sam’s Point
Monday, January 20, 2025 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Sam's Point Area
(845) 647-7989

Join Olivia Castañeda, Sam's Point Stewardship Coordinator, for a three-mile hike on Loop Road to discover what creatures are active in the Park Preserve in this harsh season. Tree rubbings, snow dens and scat are all signs of wildlife that we might find. These signs give us clues as to which animals live here and how hard it is for them to stay alive in winter. Please bring snacks, water, and appropriate clothing for the weather as well as microspikes or other ice traction devices. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. If there is sufficient snow cover, this program will be offered as a snowshoe outing. Snowshoes are available to rent for $5 at the Visitor Center. Meet at the Sam's Point Visitor Center. Pre-registration is required by calling Sam's Point at 845-647-7989.
Registration: Required
Sat 18 Jan
Drop-In Snowshoe Lessons at Sam’s Point Preserve
Saturday, January 18, 2025 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Sam's Point Area
This opportunity is being offered at 11:00 a.m. every Saturday in December, January, February, and March, weather permitting. It is designed for people who are beginners, interested in trying snowshoeing as a new winter activity. Each session will be run by a Sam's Point employee, who will provide instruction on how to properly wear and adjust the snowshoes. They'll also work with you until you are ready to head out on your favorite trail with confidence. The lesson may last up to one hour. Snowshoes are available to rent for this program at a discounted rate of $5 per person at the Sam's Point Visitor Center.
Registration: Not required