Schodack Island State Park to Celebrate 10th Anniversary

ALBANY, NY (06/07/2012)(readMedia)-- The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the Friends of Schodack Island State Park, Inc. are pleased to jointly commemorate the 10th Anniversary of Schodack Island State Park and invite the public to the park on Saturday, June 16 for a day of festive activities to celebrate the park.

"It is with great pride that I congratulate Schodack Island State Park and our valued partners at the Friends of Schodack Island on the park's 10th anniversary," said Rose Harvey, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. "Over these last ten years, Schodack Island has blossomed into a beloved park. We all look forward to many more decades of celebrating this special park and all it offers to the residents of New York State."

The celebration on Saturday, June 16 will begin at 2 p.m. with a rededication of the park. Many food vendors will be on site for the event and live music will be provided from Tri County Banjo Band and DJ Jack. A variety of family activities will take place from 2 pm to 8 pm and will include pony rides, a bouncy bounce, displays related to local and Hudson River history, outdoor recreation activity demonstrations and outdoor safety displays. The park gates will remain open until 8:00 p.m. or until the park reaches capacity, so those who plan on attending are encouraged to come early.

The event will conclude at 9:15 p.m. with a fireworks display over the Hudson River, sponsored by Lafarge Ravena.

"In planning for an event to mark the 10th Anniversary of the opening of this park we have seen an outpouring of support in terms of volunteers and donations," said Dan Odell, President of the Friends of Schodack Island State Park, Inc. "June 16th will be a very special day as a community comes together to celebrate this wonderful park."

Schodack Island, an attraction throughout the Capital Region for its proximity to the Hudson River, its trails and the welcoming picnic and play areas, is also an important ecological park, having been designated a State Estuary and a Bird Conservation Area (BCA) that is home to bald eagles, cerulean warblers and blue herons that nest in the cottonwood trees.

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 178 state parks and 35 historic sites. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect with us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

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