Upcoming Events
Page Dickey, gardening legend and author, presents "Embroidered Ground" for our benefit on Saturday, March 17th at 3:30 p.m.
We are delighted to announce our 2nd Annual Welcome to Spring benefit event on Saturday, March 17th at 3:30 p.m. Our featured speaker will be legendary gardener and author Page Dickey who will present a narrated slide show of her magnificent gardens in Salem, New York and read from her book “Embroidered Ground.” Page will sign copies of her book at a wine and hors d’ouevres reception following her presentation.
This year's event will be held in the historic Grange Hall on Empire Road in Copake, New York. This warm and welcoming space is the ideal location to welcome spring while gaining inspiration for our own embroidered ground!
Tickets are available with optional book and/or reception and are available through eventbrite http://taconic.eventbrite.com. Proceeds will once again benefit our Copake Iron Works furnace cover project.
This year's event will be held in the historic Grange Hall on Empire Road in Copake, New York. This warm and welcoming space is the ideal location to welcome spring while gaining inspiration for our own embroidered ground!
Tickets are available with optional book and/or reception and are available through eventbrite http://taconic.eventbrite.com. Proceeds will once again benefit our Copake Iron Works furnace cover project.
Presidents' Day Ramble in the Park, Sunday, February 19th, 1pm to 3pm
Join us for a winter ramble in Taconic State Park. If mother nature sends us some snow, this will be a snowshoeing event; with or without snow, we’ll end with a campfire, hot chocolate and snacks.
The park has several pairs of snow shoes to loan at no charge, so even if you don’t own your own, you can still try your hand (foot) at this fun winter activity. This month's hike is definitely family friendly and as always, four legged hikers are welcome!
We will meet at the new park headquarters on Route 344 in Copake Falls. Call 518-329-3993 for more information.
The park has several pairs of snow shoes to loan at no charge, so even if you don’t own your own, you can still try your hand (foot) at this fun winter activity. This month's hike is definitely family friendly and as always, four legged hikers are welcome!
We will meet at the new park headquarters on Route 344 in Copake Falls. Call 518-329-3993 for more information.
Recent Events
Have a BLAST at Furnace Fest!
Saturday, November 5th, noon to 2pm - Please join us at the historic Copake Iron Works on Valley View Road in Copake Falls to celebrate the groundbreaking on our furnace cover project. We'll have hotdogs, hamburgers, raffles, music, more. This is our chance to thank YOU for making our dream a reality.
For more information, email us at info@friendsoftsp.org or call 518-966-2730.
For more information, email us at info@friendsoftsp.org or call 518-966-2730.
Margaret Roach hosts a benefit for us, Saturday, August 20th in Copake Falls.
Margaret Roach/A Way to Garden.
Our dear friend Margaret Roach is hosting another benefit event in support of Friends of Taconic State Park. On Saturday, August 20th, Margaret will present “Nonstop Plants: The 365-Day Garden.” This hugely popular slide show and lecture will cover Margaret's four-season gardening philosophy, her favorite plants, and a history of her garden. The lecture begins at 8:30 am and will be held at the Church of St. John in the Wilderness.
Tickets must be purchased in advance through Eventbrite. To register follow this link. Your $20 donation includes a $5 coupon redeemable toward a signed copy of Margaret's recent book, “And I Shall Have Some Peace There." Seating is limited; we urge you to buy tickets soon.
Margaret says, "Proceeds from tickets and book sales will benefit Friends of Taconic State Park, an important charitable group within my community and one close to my heart, since my garden is surrounded by parkland on three sides."
Tickets must be purchased in advance through Eventbrite. To register follow this link. Your $20 donation includes a $5 coupon redeemable toward a signed copy of Margaret's recent book, “And I Shall Have Some Peace There." Seating is limited; we urge you to buy tickets soon.
Margaret says, "Proceeds from tickets and book sales will benefit Friends of Taconic State Park, an important charitable group within my community and one close to my heart, since my garden is surrounded by parkland on three sides."
Sunset Hikes with Jane
October 15th at 5 p.m. - Join us for a Sunset Hike to Bash Bish Falls and Overlook. Meet at the lower parking lot to Bash Bish Falls. We'll proceed up the trail to the upper parking lot and on up to the overlook. Although we fully expect to make the round trip with adequate daylight, we do suggest bringing a flashlight for the very end of the hike. There are a few steep sections to this hike but overall it is fairly easy. Bring water!
October 22nd at 3 p.m. - We'll meet at the new park office building on Route 344 and hike up to Sunset Rock for a late autumn sunset. This is a longer hike with several steep, rocky sections. Definitely in the strenuous category but well worth the effort! As always, bring a water bottle!
October 22nd at 3 p.m. - We'll meet at the new park office building on Route 344 and hike up to Sunset Rock for a late autumn sunset. This is a longer hike with several steep, rocky sections. Definitely in the strenuous category but well worth the effort! As always, bring a water bottle!
3rd Annual Meeting and Potluck Supper, Thursday, July 28th
Please join Friends of Taconic State Park for our 3rd Annual Meeting and Potluck Supper on Thursday, July 28th beginning at 5:45 p.m. We will begin the evening with the dedication of the park's new visitor's center and continue on to the Copake Iron Works site for dinner. We are delighted to announce that Rose Harvey, the newly appointed New York State Parks Commissioner, will join us as our honored guest and featured speaker.
Guests are asked to bring a salad, side dish or dessert. Hotdogs, hamburgers and beverages will be provided compliments the Board of Directors of Friends of Taconic State Park. All are welcome; only dues paid members may vote during the brief business portion of the meeting.
Please let us know you're coming by emailing us or by calling 518-966-2730. The event schedule is:
5:45 pm - Parking and potluck drop off at Copake Iron Works site
6:00 pm – Dedication of new visitor's center on Route 344, across from the Depot Deli, adjacent to Bash Bish Bicycle.
6:30 pm – Potluck Supper at Copake Iron Works historic site.
Guests are asked to bring a salad, side dish or dessert. Hotdogs, hamburgers and beverages will be provided compliments the Board of Directors of Friends of Taconic State Park. All are welcome; only dues paid members may vote during the brief business portion of the meeting.
Please let us know you're coming by emailing us or by calling 518-966-2730. The event schedule is:
5:45 pm - Parking and potluck drop off at Copake Iron Works site
6:00 pm – Dedication of new visitor's center on Route 344, across from the Depot Deli, adjacent to Bash Bish Bicycle.
6:30 pm – Potluck Supper at Copake Iron Works historic site.
Hike the South Taconic Trail in 3 Parts with Friends of Taconic State Park
Join
Friends of Taconic State Park and veteran hiker Jane Peck for the third and last of three hikes across the South Taconic Trail. You'll enjoy unbelievable views and challenging terrains. We expect each hike to take about three to four hours so bring lunch and water of course! Hikers meet at the Park headquarters on Route 344 in Copake Falls. People under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. For information call 518-966-2730 or email info@friendsoftsp.org. Bring lunch, water and bug spray.
Sunday, July 17th, 10 am – 3rd Section of South Taconic Trail from the lower parking lot at Bash Bish Falls to NYS Route 23, just north of Catamount. This hike will be moderate to strenuous with several very steep grades. We will hike approximately 6.0 miles with an elevation gain of 1,625’
Call us at 518-966-2730 to register or email us. We will meet at the Park headquarters on Route 344 in Copake Falls. Because these are not round trip hikes, we will be organizing carpools to and from our starting points.
Sunday, July 17th, 10 am – 3rd Section of South Taconic Trail from the lower parking lot at Bash Bish Falls to NYS Route 23, just north of Catamount. This hike will be moderate to strenuous with several very steep grades. We will hike approximately 6.0 miles with an elevation gain of 1,625’
Call us at 518-966-2730 to register or email us. We will meet at the Park headquarters on Route 344 in Copake Falls. Because these are not round trip hikes, we will be organizing carpools to and from our starting points.
Hike to Sunset Rock - Saturday, November 13th at 11am
Saturday, November 13th, 11 a.m. Meet at the Taconic State Park registration booth in Copake Falls (Route 344 opposite the Depot Deli and just past Bash Bish Bicycle). Bring your lunch if you wish to picnic at Sunset Rock. This is a vigorous walk with some steep, rocky terrain. About a 2 1/2 hr round trip hike. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. The view at the summit is well worth the effort!
New York State Museum Iron Symposium
Saturday, October 16th - Fred Sutherland, doctoral candidate in Industrial Archaeology and Heritage Management at Michigan Technological University will present "From Forest, to Company Town, and Back Again: Survey and History of the Copake Iron Works" at the New York State Museum The event is free. For more info click on "Contact Us."
A Special Gathering
Saturday, October 23rd, 1 p.m. - Winthrop Aldrich, New York State Deputy Commissioner for Historic Preservation will be our guest speaker at the Copake Iron Works with a tour and reception to follow. Commissioner Aldrich will discuss the historical significance and importance of the Iron Works site. RSVP's requested - 518-966-2730 or contact us via email.
