Friday April 26, 2024 
10/10/2019 – 10/31/2019
Upcoming Events at Grafton Lakes State Parks
For all events, please call ahead to pre-register at (518) 279-1155 ext. 2.
Saturday, October 12th — Little Johnny’s Foliage Tour 1:00 PM. Take advantage of the cooler weather and join a naturalist as we hike a ~4 mile loop while appreciating the fall foliage color change. Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather and bring water. Meet at the welcome center.
Sunday, October 13th — Autumn Tree ID Walk 1:00 PM. Join a naturalist for an afternoon walk through the woods and learn to ID the trees of Grafton. Get to know our tallest residents by their leaves, bark, and fruit on a leisurely stroll. Program designed for ages 12 and up.
Monday, October 14th- Guided Hike to the Fire Tower 1:00 PM. Enjoy an Autumn hike to the historic Dickinson Hill fire tower with an environmental educator. On a clear day you can observe the Adirondack Mountains, the Green Mountains, and the Taconic Range from the top of the tower. Program meets at the welcome center before driving to the trailhead.
Saturday, October 19th—Radical Reptiles 1:00 P.M. Join us in celebrating Reptile Awareness Day at our welcome center and learn about reptiles found in Grafton!
Sunday, October 27th — Batty about Bats 1:00 PM. With Halloween just around the corner, take a chance to learn about conservation concerns and what you can do to help one of the more misunderstood creatures in the animal kingdom.
Saturday, November 2nd — Amazing Water Bear Hunt 10:00 AM — 12:00 PM. Stop in to help a scientist find microscopic creatures, known affectionately as water bears, that live in your own backyard! Learn about these incredibly resilient animals and get a chance to view one through a microscope.
Sunday, November 3rd — Sunrise Fire Tower Hike 5:30 AM. Start the day off by watching the sunrise over the green mountains from one of the best views on the Rensselaer Plateau, the Dickinson Hill Fire Tower. Be sure to dress in layers and bring proper lighting.
10/03/2019 – 10/31/2019
Caves and Caverns of New York State
Join us Wednesday, November 6th, at 6:00 pm at the Troy Public Library when Bill Cotrofeld will speak about the caves of New York State, how they were formed, early explorers and caving equipment and safety, along with a video presentation.
Bill and two high school friends in Albany, NY became interested in cave exploring (commonly known as “spelunking”), after finding a book in the Albany Public Library titled “Underground Empire” by Clay Perry of Pittsfield, Mass. Using the cave information in the book they then turned to the New York State Museum Geology Bulletins for the areas mentioned to try and locate the caves themselves. They found two early NYSM publications that had entire chapters written on the caves in several areas of New York State. Together with USGS topographic maps and the NYS Museum information they were able to locate virtually all of the now famous caves in New York State. Next was a trip to the Army- Navy Store to purchase helmets, carbide lamps, boots, etc. For the next four years Bill and his buddies spent just about every free weekend exploring the caves in the Helderberg Mountains and Schoharie Valley.
In 1956 Bill joined the National Speleological Society (NSS), an International organization composed of people interested in the study of caves (speleology) and exploring caves. Bill received his Life Membership in the NSS at his 50-Year milestone , and is now approaching his 65-Year Membership.
This program is free and open to the public. The Library is located at 100 2nd Street, Troy NY 12180.
10/31/2019 – 11/14/2019
Averill Park Youth Basketball Sr. League Registration 2019-2020
Registration is now open for the 2019-2020 APYB CYO Sr. League. Information can be found on our new website: www.averillparkyouthbasketball.org.
Sr. League is open to Boys in Grades 9-12. There are 2 levels of teams: Grades 9-10 and Grades 11-12.
Tryouts are tentatively scheduled for Friday November 15th and Saturday November 16th. More specific information to follow.
The amount of teams formed will be based on number of registrants and number of volunteer coaches.
For any parents or community members interested in helping out or coaching, please send an email to apyouthbasketball@nullgmail.com
10/24/2019 – 11/28/2019
Register Now for 72nd Troy Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Morning
Registration is open for the 72nd edition of the Troy Turkey Trot, the nation’s 12th and world’s 64th oldest road race, on Thanksgiving morning at TroyTurkeyTrot.com.
Troy’s signature Thanksgiving holiday event, presented by Pioneer Bank, begins at 8 a.m. with the Capital Region’s only Thanksgiving Day 10K. The 10K course will close at 9:30 a.m. to facilitate the start of the Grade School Mile and Turkey Walk at 9:30 a.m. The shorter 5K distance kicks off at 10 a.m. Both the 10K and 5K feature “out and back” course configurations which start at 4th and Fulton Streets and finish at River Street’s Monument Square.
Registration is $35 (5K and 10K) and $15 (Grade School Mile and Turkey Walk). In-person registration along with bib and t-shirt pickup will be held at the Troy Atrium (4 Third Street) Sunday, Nov. 24 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Weds., Nov. 27 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Day-of-event registration for all events will be held from 6:30 a.m. to 15 minutes prior to the start of each event on the second floor of the Troy Atrium. Race day entry fees are $45 (5K and 10K) and $15 (Grade School Mile and Turkey Walk). Participants for all events will receive a 72nd edition blended dry-fit t-shirt, finisher’s medal, personalized finisher’s certificate and post-event refreshments.
While registering online, all participants are encouraged to donate to the event’s two main charities, the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and Joseph’s House & Shelter, a Troy-based not-for-profit whose mission is to prevent and alleviate homelessness in the Capital Region.
All participants are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to local food pantries and the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. These items can be dropped off at the Troy Atrium (second floor) on Sunday, Nov. 24 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and race morning (first floor) starting at 6:30 a.m.
For more information or to register, visit TroyTurkeyTrot.com.
10/25/2019 – 12/07/2019
Youth Snowmobile Safety Course
On Saturday, December 7, 2019 the Grafton Trail Blazers Snowmobile Club and Grafton Lakes State Park will host a snowmobile safety course for young people ages 10 to 18. Students must be at least 10 years old on the day of the course to attend. Parents are encouraged to stay and participate. The course will be held at the Grafton VFW/Fire Hall at 581 South Road from 8:15am to approximately 4:30pm. The course will be taught by NYS certified volunteer instructor Jim Blessing. Topics covered include NYS laws and regulations, riding skills, trail emergencies, protecting the environment, maintenance and repair, and trailering. To register, call the Grafton Lakes State Park Welcome Center at 518-279-1155, ext. 2 or e-mail mary.downey@nullparks.ny.gov with the parent’s name, student’s name and age, and your phone number. Adults are encouraged to attend as well so please let us know if a parent will be accompanying the child. Space is limited, so no walk-ins please. The course is free of charge and lunch will be provided.