Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Summer 1999 Highlights

July Concerts -Acoustic Concerts at Clifftop

... in tune with nature. Special Friday evenings on the ridge, bring a picnic supper. Park admittance is free. Donations benefit the Gardiner Library capital campaign and musicians. Funded in part by a grant from the Dutchess County Arts Council, co-sponsored by Rhythm and News Magazine.

Clifftop is mostly uphill and a 15 minute walk from the upper parking area, follow signs. Assistance available for anyone unable to get there on foot. Clockwise on the red Lake Minnewaska Carriageway.

Minnewaska Nature Center

Open Saturday, Sunday and most Wednesdays in summer.
Opening day, June 12.
The Nature Center is near diver's cove on the Minnewaska Carriageway (the red loop) by the lake.
Explore the Nature Center "Feature of the week", a display and a walk or interactive talk every Wednesday.
(Volunteers needed.)

Events for Families

Junior Naturalist Adventures Thursdays and Fridays.
Junior Naturalist Adventures all week August 9-13

Education office: (914) 255-2011

(We do not have a paper mailing list for program announcements but we dohave an email list, subscribe by sending your email address to minne@netstep.net.)
Hatti Langsford, Park Interpreter
Anna Niedzielski, Minnewaska AmeriCorps Educator

Summer Hours

May 3-June 18: 9 am-8 pm
June 19- August 8: 9 am-9 pm
August 9-Labor Day: 9 am-8 pm

Summer Events 1999

Minnewaska is located on Route 44/55, 5 miles west of the intersection of Route 44/55 and Route 299, near New Paltz, New York. Phone: (914) 255-0752

Saturday, June 5, 10 am	Introducing the Mossy Glen Trail	Take a walk for National Trails Day with Park Manager Tom Cobb, on the new Mossy Glen Trail, meet at the Awosting Parking Area. At 11 am, dedicate the new footbridge across the Peter's Kill.
Saturday, June 12, 10 am	Nature Center Opening Day	Fun activities and walks for the whole family. The Nature Center is near Diver's Cove and the red loop around Lake Minnewaska. Call (914 ) 255-2011.
Sunday, June 20, 10 am	Father's Day Mountain Laurel Walk	With G. Steve Jordan, Photographer. Bring dad out for a hike and photo opportunities.
Wednesday, June 23, 2 pm	Nature Center Feature of the Week:	Native Americans of the Shawangunks. With Park Interpreter Hatti Langsford. Be prepared for a short walk.
Sunday, June 27, 9 am	Hike to Mud Pond	Long Path to Mud Pond hike. All day hike. Bring lunch snacks, plenty of water, wear sturdy hiking boots. Meet at the Awosting Parking Area. Call to sign up (914) 255-2011.
Wednesday, June 30, 2 pm	Nature Center Feature of the Week	Wild Edibles with Minnewaska AmeriCorps Educator Anna Niedzielski.
Thursday and Friday, July 1 and 2: 10 am	Junior Naturalist Adventure:	Discover Lake Minnewaska. Sign up in advance: (914) 255-2011, bring water, a bag lunch, sturdy hiking boots, ages 7-and up. Easy 2 mile walk.
Friday Concert, July 2, 6 pm	Classic Jazz, Trumpet, Saxophone, Upright Bass	Follow signs from the upper parking area.
Wednesday, July 7, 2 pm	Nature Center Feature of the Week	Endangered, Threatened and Rare species, with Minnewaska AmeriCorps Educator Anna Niedzielski.
Thursday and Friday, July 8 and 9: 10 am	Junior Naturalist Adventures:	Streams. Sign up in advance: (914) 255-2011, bring water, a bag lunch, sturdy hiking boots, ages 7-and up.
Friday Concert, July 9, 6:30 pm	Mozart at Clifftop	An evening of mostly Mozart and spectacular views with classical pianist Julie Wegener. Bring a picnic and the entire family. Rain date July 10. Follow signs from upper parking area.
Wednesday, July 14, 2 pm	Nature Center Feature of the Week Special Guest:	Renowned rattlesnake expert Randy Stechert has conducted long-term (32 year) studies on the Timber Rattlesnakes in New York State. A possible encounter with a live snake.
Thursday and Friday, July 15 and 16: 10 am	Junior Naturalist Adventures:	Minnewaska Rocks - From glaciers to fossils...Sign up in advance: (914) 255-2011, bring water, a bag lunch, sturdy hiking boots, ages 7-and up.
Friday Concert, July 16, 6:30 pm	Asha Nan	World beat music, a mix of African, Brazilian, salsa and rhythm and blues. Music about unity and the togetherness of all people. Come prepared to dance.
Wednesday, July 21, 2 pm	Nature Center Feature of the Week, Special Guest:	Martha Cheo Watershed educator from the Institute of Ecosystem Studies Find out where you are in the Hudson Valley drainage basin, be prepared for some walking
Thursday and Friday, July 22 and 23, 10 am	Junior Naturalist Adventures:	Trees, Dirt, Bugs and All the Ecology in Between. 2-3 mile hike. Sign up in advance: (914) 255-2011, bring water, a bag lunch, sturdy hiking boots, ages 7- and up.
Friday Concert, July 23, 6:30 pm	String Trio from the Hudson Valley Philharmonic	Follow signs from upper parking area.
Wednesday, July 28, 2 pm	Nature Center Feature Center of the Week	Creepy Crawlies, Amazing Invertebrates. Explore the stranger than fiction life of insects and their kin. Prepare for a short walk.
Thursday and Friday, July 29 and 30:	Junior Naturalist Adventures	Outdoor Survival Skills Sign up in advance: (914) 255-2011, bring water, a bag lunch, sturdy hiking boots, ages 7-and up.
Friday Concert, July 30, 6 pm	Randolphe Harris and Heinzavino	Jeffrey Ensavino on dobro and harmonica, Rich Hinds on guitar and harmonica, and Rusty Boris on upright bass. A unique mix of country, bluegrass and blues. Also blues, soul and twelve string guitar with Rande Harris. Follow signs from the upper parking area.
Wednesday August 4, 2 pm	Nature Center Feature of the Week Special Guests	Ken and Lucille Phillips, former owners of the Minnewaska Mountain Houses lead this special look back at the Mountain House days. Talk includes films at the nature center.
Thursday and Friday, August 5 and 6:	Junior Naturalist Adventures	Sam's Point Trip Sign up in advance: (914) 255-2011, bring water, a bag lunch, sturdy hiking boots, ages 7-and up.
August 9-13	Junior Naturalist Adventure Week	A new adventure each day. Sign up in advance for the entire week: (914) 255-2011, ages 7-and up.
Wednesday, August 11, 2 pm	Nature Center Feature of the Week	Animals of the Night. With AmeriCorps Educator Anna Niedzielski.
Friday, August 13th, 8 pm	Special Program Creatures of the Night	Including a short hike to look and listen for active animals, investigation with a light trap, and a look at the stars. Meet at the Peter's Kill area. Please sign up (14) 255-2011. Bring: water, a day pack, a snack, flashlight, good walking shoes, and a jacket.
Wednesday, August 18, 2 pm	Nature Center Feature of the Week Guest Speaker	Jeff Lougee, of the Sam's Point Preserve on Pitch Pines.
Thursday, August 19, 2 pm	Babes in the Woods	How does your preschooler experience nature? Laura Schaible, of Schaible's Serendipity B&B, a mom, outdoor educator and certified teacher. Wear light clothing, hats and tuck pants into socks. Meet at the Peter's Kill area. Children ages 3-5
Thursday August 26, 2 pm	Water Babies	Share Lake Minnewaska with your youngster. Laura Schaible, of Schaible's Serendipity B&B, mom, outdoor educator and certified teacher. Wear swimsuits, bring towels and hats. Meet at the upper parking area. Children ages 3-5.
Wednesday, August 25, 2 pm	Nature Center Feature of the Week	Life before man, read the rocks, study fossils. Optional fossil dig after program.

Managed by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, Minnewaska is approximately 12,000 acres of wild and scenic landscape. Help protect this fragile mountain ecosystem by following these rules and regulations:

Carry In/ Carry Out
We have no garbage cans. Take out what you bring in.
All plants and animals are protected.
Please do not harass wildlife.
Alcoholic beverages not permitted
No camping
Swim only in designated areas when lifeguard on duty
Pets must be leashed at all times
Bicyclists must wear helmets
Bicyclists must stay on carriageways
No bikes are allowed on footpaths
Cliff edges are dangerous, so please watch your step.
Stay on established trails

Directions to Meeting Places:

The upper parking area is through the main gate and up the main road to the end (about one mile).
The Peter's Kill Area is one mile east of the main entrance on the north side of Route 44/55.
Jenny Lane is one mile west of the main entrance on the north side of Route 44/55.
The Awosting Parking Area is located near the main entrance on the south side of 44/55.

Last updated: 01/18/01