A $25 million rehabilitation project will begin this year at Bear Mountain State Park, Governor Kathy Hochul announced. The plan includes the creation of a new accessible playground, expanded picnic areas, additional public restrooms, and upgrades to critical infrastructure at the 115-year-old park located in Rockland and Orange counties.
“Bear Mountain has been a cherished destination for families and visitors for over a century,” Governor Hochul said. “This $25 million investment ensures the park’s facilities not only meet the needs of today but will serve generations to come. By expanding access, upgrading infrastructure and enhancing recreation opportunities, we’re making it easier for everyone to get offline, get outside and enjoy time together in one of New York’s most beloved state parks.”
Construction is set to start after Labor Day 2025 with completion expected by summer 2027. The park will remain open during construction but may operate under some capacity restrictions.
The project involves building a multi-leveled playground connected by an ADA-accessible path and adding slides up to 70 feet long. Paved picnic areas along the main lawn and Hessian Lake will be expanded to increase capacity while protecting existing trees. Additional improvements include landscape enhancements with new plantings, construction of a high-capacity restroom and gathering plaza, daylighting an existing stormwater pipe with a naturalized basin, modernizing electrical systems, improving stormwater management, and structural repairs to current facilities.
Once finished, the number of picnic areas will double and bathroom fixtures will increase by 20.
New York State Parks Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said, “Bear Mountain has long been a vital resource for people in the metro New York City area and the lower Hudson Valley to get outside and enjoy healthy recreation. Thanks to the support for capital funding from Governor Hochul, these improvements will help expand capacity for one of our flagship parks that is being visited by more people every year. This project will create more space for visitors to spread out and enjoy Bear Mountain like never before.”
Palisades Interstate Park Commission Executive Director Joshua Laird added: “More than 115 years after the Palisades Commission and Mary Averell Harriman fought off a proposed prison and advocated for the creation of a park, Bear Mountain still serves as a gateway to nature and recreation for millions of visitors from the Metropolitan Area. We are grateful to Governor Hochul and our colleagues at New York State Parks for taking action to fund much-needed improvements that will ensure Bear Mountain continues to welcome the public for generations to come.”
State Senator Pete Harckham commented on state investment in revitalization efforts: “This major state investment in Bear Mountain State Park’s revitalization, now underway, is an acknowledgment of how important maintaining and updating park’s infrastructure is to its future. Governor Hochul, New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation and my legislative colleague deserve thanks for fully appreciating the importance of this timeless natural treasure and gateway to the Great Outdoors.”
Assemblymember Chris Eachus said: “Thank you to Governor Hochul for her commitment to encouraging outdoor recreation. From Harriman State Park to Storm King State Park to Bear Mountain State Park, I’m proud that the 99th Assembly District offers some of the best scenic recreational areas in New York. I am especially excited for the upcoming $25 million rehabilitation project at Bear Mountain State Park, which will ensure the park remains a family-friendly, picturesque destination for visitors of all ages for years to come.”
Bear Mountain State Park covers more than 5,200 acres along the Hudson River about 40 miles north of New York City. In recent years it has seen growing attendance; over 2.3 million people visited last year—an increase exceeding 25 percent over ten years.
Governor Hochul’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget allocates $200 million statewide toward parks’ infrastructure projects including ongoing transformation efforts at flagship locations like Bear Mountain (https://parks.ny.gov). Other initiatives under her Unplug and Play program dedicate funds such as $100 million through NY BRICKS for community center construction or renovation; $67.5 million through NY PLAYS focused on playgrounds; plus $90 million via NY SWIMS aimed at expanding swimming opportunities across New York.
The park features more than 50 miles of hiking trails—including part of the Appalachian Trail—fishing access points on both lake and riverfronts, seasonal swimming pool operations (late June–Labor Day), Trailside Museums & Zoo attractions open year-round except Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year’s Day (https://parks.ny.gov/parks/bearmountain/details.aspx), an outdoor ice rink from late October through mid-March depending on weather conditions (https://parks.ny.gov/parks/bearmountain/details.aspx), Perkins Memorial Tower offering views across multiple regions when open April–November (weather permitting), as well as unique amenities like its hand-carved animal merry-go-round.
Oversight falls under The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation managing more than 250 sites statewide visited annually by nearly 80 million people (https://parks.ny.gov/about/). Formed in 1900 as America’s first bi-state conservation partnership between New Jersey & New York—the Palisades Interstate Park Commission operates both Palisades Interstate Park in NJ & regional NY properties with early work helping inspire broader national conservation efforts.
