Verona Beach State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Verona Beach State Park |
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Autumn scenery on the hiking trails of Verona Beach State Park.
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| Type | State park |
| Location | 6541 Lakeshore Road South Verona Beach, New York |
| Nearest city | Oneida, New York |
| Area | 1,735 acres (7.02 km2) |
| Created | 1944 |
| Operated by | New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation |
| Visitors | 206,438 (in 2014) |
| Open | All year |
| Camp sites | 46 |
| Website | Verona Beach State Park |
Verona Beach State Park is a large state park in New York. It covers about 1,735-acre (7.02 km2) of land. You can find it on the eastern side of Oneida Lake in Oneida County. The park is located near the town of Verona. It's a fun place to visit for outdoor activities!
Contents
Discovering Verona Beach State Park's Past
Before it became a state park, this land was mostly a private area called Nabor's Grove. Many big trees were saved by the private owners. This is why the park has so many old, tall trees today.
How Verona Beach State Park Was Created
In 1944, the New York State Council of Parks decided to buy land for Verona Beach State Park. By 1962, they had bought 59 pieces of land. This added up to about 1,355 acres (5 km2). It cost them $276,300 to buy these lands.
The last parts of the park were bought in 1969 and 1970. This made the park grow to its current size of 1,735 acres (7 km2). The total cost for all the land was $288,888. That's about $166 for each acre!
Today, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation manages the park. They make sure it's a great place for everyone to enjoy.
What Can You Do at Verona Beach State Park?
Verona Beach State Park is huge, covering 1,735 acres (7 km2) along Oneida Lake. It has many different types of land, including wetlands. This means there are lots of fun things to do outdoors!
Fun Activities and Facilities
The park has a beach that is about three-quarters-mile (1.2 km) long. Lifeguards watch over the beach to keep everyone safe. There's also a bathhouse where you can change and a place to buy snacks. You can use the picnic areas and shelters for a meal outside.
If you like camping, the park has 46 campsites. There's even a recreation building for campers. You can explore four miles (6.4 km) of nature trails for hiking. There are also eight miles (13 km) of trails for horseback riding and mountain biking. In winter, these trails are used for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
Fishing and Wildlife
You can go fishing at the park, and even ice fishing in winter. Sometimes, people are allowed to hunt for deer, small game, and waterfowl in certain areas. This helps manage the wildlife in the park.
Recent Improvements to the Park
In 2013, the park got $4.3 million for big improvements. They built a new bathhouse and a new food stand. They also added an enclosed picnic pavilion and three new picnic shelters. The parking area was also rebuilt to make it better for visitors.
When to Visit and Park Fees
The park has about 35 employees who work during the warmer months. The beach is open daily during the summer, usually from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. It closes after Labor Day. The campgrounds stay open until Columbus Day in October. The hiking trails are open all year round.
There is a small daily fee of $7 per car to enter the park. This fee helps keep the park clean and fun for everyone!
