Clarence Fahnestock State Park

Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park, also known as Fahnestock State Park, is a 14,086-acre (57.00 km²) New York state park located in Putnam and Dutchess counties. The park has hiking trails, a beach on Canopus Lake, and fishing on four ponds and two lakes.^[1] Most of the park is situated in northern Putnam County between the Taconic State Parkway and U.S. Route 9.

During the winter season, part of the park functions as the Fahnestock Winter Park. The park also includes an environmental center known as the Taconic Outdoor Education Center.

History

The original land, a donation of about 2,400 acres (9.7 km²), was donated in 1929 by Dr. Ernest Fahnestock as a memorial to his brother Clarence, who died in the post-World War I influenza epidemic treating patients with the disease.

During the United States federal government shutdown of 2013, the park was the subject of a satirical "imagined monologue" published by McSweeney's Internet Tendency.^[2]

Park description

Clarence Fahnestock State Park includes a beach, picnic tables with pavilions, a playground, recreation programs, a nature trail, hiking and biking, a bridle path, seasonal turkey and deer hunting, fishing and ice fishing, a campground with tent and trailer sites, a boat launch with boat rentals, and a food concession.

The park's forests form part of the Northeastern coastal forests ecoregion.^[3]

Fahnestock Winter Park

Contained within Clarence Fahnestock State Park is Fahnestock Winter Park, which is open from December through March, depending on conditions. The winter park offers sledding (tube only), cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, recreation programs and a nature trail. Equipment rental, lessons, and a food concession are available.