Assemblyman Doug Smith (5^th District) is spreading the word that the New York State Parks Department recently developed and launched a free “NY State Parks Explorer” App, useful for visitors to plan outdoor adventures while staying connected to long-time favorite parks and sites. The app offers quick access to information such as park hours, directions to parks, fees and rates, amenities, trail maps, and updates as they happen.

“New York is home to some of the most gorgeous natural parks in the country, and when the weather is nice, there’s no better excuse to get out there and explore,” Smith said. “I will be using this app and hope to get out there soon with my family. In my mind, there’s no better solution to beating the quarantine blues than getting to enjoy the beauty and grace of our beautiful parks and pristine beaches.”

“This season more than ever, people are looking to spend time in the outdoors whether taking nature breaks, day trips or overnight getaways, and this new Parks Explorer App is a helpful tool for families on the go to plan the perfect adventure with ease,” Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said. “To stay in the know and make the most of your park visit, I encourage New Yorkers to download the app today.”

The New York Parks Explorer App is free to download on both mobile Android and iOS devices. For the first time, this season also marks the introduction of user-friendly credit-card acceptance at collection points, including pay stations, park offices and staffed lanes, so visitors are encouraged to take advantage of this cashless alternative. Before heading to a state park or historic site, visitors are also reminded to practice social distancing, bring and wear a face covering, respect the rules, and do their part to keep the parks, beaches and campgrounds open and safe for everyone.