Gilbert Lake State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gilbert Lake State Park |
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| Type | State park |
| Location | 18 CCC Road Laurens, New York |
| Nearest city | Laurens, New York |
| Area | 1,584 acres (6.41 km2) |
| Created | 1926 |
| Operated by | New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation |
| Visitors | 77,959 (in 2014) |
| Open | All year |
| Website | Gilbert Lake State Park |
Gilbert Lake State Park is a large state park in Otsego County, New York. It covers about 1,584-acre (6.41 km2) of land. Most of the park is in the Town of New Lisbon. It sits in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains. The park is located east of New Lisbon and north of Oneonta. Two beautiful lakes, Gilbert Lake and Lake of the Twin Fawns, are found inside the park.
History of Gilbert Lake State Park
Gilbert Lake State Park was one of the first parks built in Central New York. The state started buying land for the park in October 1926. This land was once used for cutting down trees. Building the park became much faster with help from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was a group of young men who worked on public projects. They had a camp at the park from 1933 to 1941.
The CCC did many important things for the park. They built many cabins and dams. They also created a special place for wildlife. They helped stop soil from washing away. Plus, they made many roads and trails for everyone to use.
Fun Activities at Gilbert Lake State Park
Gilbert Lake State Park offers many cool things to do. You can swim at the beach or rent a boat. There are cabins and a campground if you want to stay overnight. You can play disc golf or go hunting and fishing. The park has trails for hiking and biking. There are also picnic tables and pavilions for outdoor meals.
The park also has a museum and a nature trail. You can join recreation programs. In winter, you can go snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. There is even a food stand for snacks!
New York State Civilian Conservation Corps Museum
Inside the park, you can visit the New York State Civilian Conservation Corps Museum. This museum shows how the CCC helped build the park. It has old photos and items from that time. You can learn about the CCC's work in New York and other parts of the United States.
