Stony Brook State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stony Brook State Park |
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| Location | Steuben County, New York, USA |
| Nearest city | Dansville, New York |
| Area | 568 acres (2.30 km2) |
| Established | 1928 |
| Operated by | New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation |
| Visitors | 164,536 (in 2014) |
| Open | All year |
| Website | Stony Brook State Park |
Stony Brook State Park is a beautiful park in Steuben County, New York. It covers about 568 acres (2.3 square kilometers). You can find it south of Dansville, right along New York State Route 36. It's a great place to explore nature and have fun outdoors!
Contents
Park History: From Resort to State Park
Stony Brook was a popular summer spot in the late 1800s. People started visiting after a railroad was built in 1883. This made it easier for tourists to reach the area.
However, by the 1920s, the resort became less popular. To save this special place, New York state bought the land. They officially opened it as a state park in 1928.
Building the Park: Help from Government Programs
In the 1930s, the park got even better. Two government programs helped build many of its features. These were the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA).
The CCC and WPA hired people to work on public projects. They built many things you can still see today. These include hiking paths, sturdy bridges, picnic areas, and park buildings. Their hard work made Stony Brook State Park even more enjoyable for visitors.
Exploring Stony Brook: Waterfalls and More
The most famous part of Stony Brook State Park is the brook itself. This brook is a great example of streams found in the Finger Lakes area. These streams were formed after the last ice age.
As glaciers melted, they carved deep, narrow valleys called gorges. Many beautiful waterfalls formed in these gorges. What makes Stony Brook special is how easy it is to reach and see these amazing waterfalls.
Park Features and Fun Activities
When the park first opened, it was about 250 acres. Today, it has grown to 568 acres. There's plenty to do for everyone!
- Swimming: The park has two swimming pools fed by the stream.
- Picnics: You can enjoy meals at picnic tables and in covered pavilions.
- Playground: Kids can have fun on the playground.
- Nature Trails: Explore the park's beauty on nature trails.
- Hiking: There are many trails for hiking adventures.
- Fishing: Anglers can enjoy fishing in the brook.
- Camping: The park offers campsites for tents and trailers.
- Winter Fun: In winter, you can go cross-country skiing.
The park has two main entrances: an upper entrance and a lower entrance. These are connected by New York State Route 36 and the park's trails. Stony Brook is similar to other parks in the region, like Fillmore Glen State Park. It also has a semi-natural swimming pool, created by a small dam in the stream.
