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Albany,
NY – July 2022 / Newsmaker Alert: The
New
York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State
Parks) announces
the launch of the latest release to its popular Parks
Explorer mobile app, to orient visitors and provide helpful wayfinding
information when in the parks and on the trails. The multiple new enhancements
are in addition to the app’s information about the destinations and activities
available throughout the Empire State’s parks and historic sites.
“Since
its introduction, the Parks Explorer app has been a useful and easy way
to plan your next outdoor adventure, and now with this latest release it
delivers an elevated visitor experience with interactive mapping tools
and improved wayfinding,” said State Parks Commissioner Erik
Kulleseid. “Whether you’re new to a park or a seasoned hiker on the
trails, the new map features will help you explore the parks and discover
new favorites more easily. If you enjoy the parks and don’t already have
this handy mobile app on your device, I encourage you to download the app
today.”
The
new features just introduced include upgrades to trail mapping functionality
such as planning hike distance using the new trail mileage tool, offline
maps for use when connectivity is a challenge, and live maps for use on
Wi-Fi or with good connectivity.
Interactive
map elements now provide visitors:
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Easier
wayfinding: When the user’s mobile device’s location services are turned
“on”, visitors can easily follow along with where they are on the map;
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The ability
to zoom in on and around each map to learn more about the facility;
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Information
about trails, park features and amenities by simply tapping on a trail
or icon;
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Trail
segment distance; and
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The ability
to change base layers in live maps from satellite view, simple street view
or topography.
The app
also includes a link to a brief
video to demonstrate the new mapping features.
Additional
improvements as part of the Park Explorer app’s new release are the expansion
of the search function so that visitors can search for parks and historic
sites from multiple regions at a time, and users will now have easier access
to NY State Parks Gift Cards and Shop.
Empire
State Development Vice President and Executive Director of Tourism Ross
D. Levi said, “New York’s State Parks offer unparalleled activities
and experiences that complement any trip, from a weekend getaway to an
extended vacation. Tools that make our world-class State Parks system easier
to explore and enjoy help visitors take advantage of all the amazing outdoor
recreation opportunities awaiting them in the Empire State.”
New
York State Chief Information Officer Angelo
“Tony” Riddick said, “The Office of Information Technology Services
is proud to partner with the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
to share technology that makes it easier for residents to coordinate and
enjoy their visit to one of the many great parks across our state. The
Parks Explorer App allows residents to plan new outdoor adventures with
their families and demonstrates how New York State continues to harness
the power of technology to improve the citizen experience and bring New
Yorkers closer to nature, and I’m all for it.”
The
New
York State Parks Explorer App is a free, user-friendly resource for
visitors to plan outdoor adventures and stay connected to favorite parks
and historic sites. Fans of the outdoors can learn more about their preferred
destinations and discover new must-see locations with curated content and
easy-to-access to park information such as directions, hours, amenities,
fees and rates, trail maps, helpful know-before-you-go details, and the
ability to receive important updates and alerts.
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New
York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees
more than 250 individual parks, historic sites, recreational trails and
boat launches, which were visited by a record 78 million people in 2020.
A recent university study found that spending by State Parks and its visitors
supports $5 billion in output and sales, 54,000 private-sector jobs and
more than $2.8 billion in additional state GDP. For more information on
any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit NYS
Parks website, connect with us on Facebook,
or follow on Instagram
and Twitter. The free New
York State Parks Explorer mobile app is available for iOS and Android devices.
To download, visit: Google
Play Store, NY State Parks Explorer App or Apple
Store, NY State Parks Explorer App.
Source
Document
Press
Office:
518-486-1868
news@parks.ny.gov
New
York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Public
Affairs Bureau
625
Broadway
Albany,
New York 12207
Dan
Keefe, Public Information Officer
Brian
Nearing, Deputy Public Information Officer |