Castle Clinton National Monument

01/10/2024

01/09/2024

01/09/2024

This year, Castle Clinton celebrates 200 years since Marquis de Lafayette, a legend of the American Revolution, landed in New York on a tour around America. Rangers will be celebrating this anniversary throughout the year online, exploring the man, the myth, and the legacy of Lafayette, culminating in a special event in the park commemorating the anniversary of Lafayette's visit in August. 🙌

Don't miss out! Stay tuned to our page over the next few months as we gear up for the celebration!

Alt Text: Soldiers on horseback greet a dignitary in front of a white building labeled "Castle Garden."

📸: "First Division, New York State artillery." New York Public Library Digital Collections.

01/09/2024

Nobody:
Your parents describing walking to school in winter:

It was five miles in deep snow with limited wi-fi! Hiking in winter can be a beautiful thing. If you like hiking in winter. It's not for everyone and that's okay. But there's nothing like being out on a trail as a hush falls while snow blankets the landscape.

But remember, when you head outdoors you leave behind the established comforts of home: food and water; shelter from the sun, wind, and cold; and easy access to emergency services. Before heading to your favorite national park in snowy weather, keep these “parents walking to school tips” in mind.

🎿 Snowshoes and traction devices are recommended on ice and snow. In winter, some trails are not always marked or maintained. Route-finding skills are important. Don’t rely on others' tracks which can lead you astray. Think of it as peer pressure with feet.

❄️ Know your route. Snow-covered landscapes look very different than in summer. (Because they're covered in snow.) Snow can be deep once you are off trail. We're not talking philosophical snow here, but the kind that will be up your jacket and down your pants faster than you can say, "darn it." (Or other things.) Fun.

🧊 Keep off the ice. Sticking to rivers and lakes may be safer than chasing waterfalls, but they too can have thin ice and be dangerous to maneuver on and around. Always be willing to turn around. Remember, weather and trail conditions can change quickly as snow falls and melts or ice forms.

🦬 Watch for wildlife. Always keep your distance and practice safe wildlife viewing practices. Also, bison have never heard of turn signals. Figures. Only pass when it's safe.

Image: A line of bison push snow around to make a path, and then play 'follow the leader' to conserve energy at Yellowstone National Park. NPS/Jim Peaco

01/08/2024

Join the National Park Service to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day! Participate in a day of service on January 15 from 10 am-2 pm, and help us with trail maintenance on Capers Creek Trail at Darrah Hall. Gloves and tools provided. Please bring water and wear closed-toed shoes. Learn more on our website: https://www.nps.gov/reer/getinvolved/volunteer.htm


NPS

01/08/2024

The first five days after the weekend are always the hardest…

What does the fox say? Five more minutes, please. With its exceptional hearing, the red fox can detect a small animal scurrying up to three feet under the snow. (Also, Bill's remark about having to email you again for those progress reports. You'll get them when you get them, Bill.) They will dive into the snow in an attempt to surprise their prey. (Diving will not help send those emails any faster.) Do they always catch something? Nope. Do they get up and try again? Yes! Especially if someone's watching.

Learn more about red foxes at: https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/red-fox.htm

Image: A fox with feet in the air after diving head-first into the snow at Yellowstone National Park.

01/07/2024

Although this color is not commonly seen for cacti in Mojave National Preserve, this purple cholla is a beauty. Can anyone guess what species it is? To learn more about the plants in the preserve, please visit: https://go.nps.gov/mojave/plants

NPS Photo/ Sierra Willoughby

01/07/2024

New year, new trails!

If your New Year's resolution is to by hiking more in 2024, then you're in luck! Chamizal National Memorial features paved trails that lead you through 55 acres of gently rolling landscape. Whether you wish to get more steps in or to just spend more time outside to clear your mind, the park is a great option for reaching some wellness goals. Just be sure to plan ahead and check the park website for winter hours of operation.

Wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate layers. Bring water to stay hydrated. Be mindful of fellow visitors on the trail and watch for people riding bikes and walking dogs on leash.

An outdoor comfort station is available on park grounds and bathrooms inside the Cultural Center are available during daytime hours of operation.

See you on the trails!

01/06/2024

01/05/2024

Me: “I’m an expert at identifying birds.”
Friend: “OK, what about those birds flying over there?”
Me: “Yep, they're all birds.

Not wrong. Birds are everywhere. They soar overhead, flit through branches, walk on the ground, and swim in the water. From the tiny calliope hummingbird to the gigantic California condor, a great diversity of birds finds a home in the national parks. Even more species pass through during migration. Casual observers and hardcore birders alike can experience the joy of birds and birding in a national park.

If you're curious about nature and want to learn more about what's around you, birding is a great skill and a fun hobby. Birding can be a gateway into recognizing and appreciating a wider world that was there all along.

What's that bird, again? Find out about birding opportunities in parks at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/birds/visit.htm

Image: A Female Northern cardinal with greenish feathers perched in the snow at Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

01/05/2024

Dry January?

Did you know Death Valley is the driest place in North America, with some areas receiving less than two inches of rain per year? Not thirsty at all. Why so dry? Rain shadows. Storms moving inland from the Pacific Ocean must pass over mountain ranges to continue east. As the clouds rise up they cool and the moisture condenses to fall as rain or snow on the western side of the ranges. By the time the clouds reach the mountains' east side they no longer have as much available moisture, creating a dry "rainshadow". Four major mountain ranges lie between Death Valley and the ocean, each one adding to an increasingly drier rainshadow effect.

Learn more about the weather conditions throughout the year at Death Valley at: https://www.nps.gov/deva/learn/nature/weather-and-climate.htm

Image: Cracked salt at Badwater Basin’s salt flats at Death Valley National Park.

01/04/2024

Ex-seal-lent parking job.

*When you wake up on January 1st and immediately regret your resolutions*

Don’t worry, these party pals were escorted safely back to the beach by park rangers early in the morning. When visiting Point Reyes in the winter, please remember that northern elephant seals can be found on many park beaches, and sometimes even parking lots! Please by respecting current closures and keeping more than two car-lengths away from these seasonal residents. For more information on current conditions visit: https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/conditions.htm



NPS Photo/K. Hernandez

01/03/2024

This week's article is a shout out to the hundreds of thousands of volunteers who have donated millions of hours to the NPS since the program began in December 1970. Are you an NPS volunteer? If so, tell us where in the comments below!

https://home.nps.gov/articles/000/50-nifty-finds-40-helping-hands.htm


Independence NHP, Edgar Allan Poe NHS & Thaddeus Kosciuszko NM Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

01/03/2024

Complete and otter chaos.

Avoid the gym and head outdoors. Visiting a national park can increase your physical activity. (We’re not even including being chased by a wild animal. Fun.) While you’re out exploring new places, enjoying beautiful landscapes, and learning about America’s cultural resources and history, you’re moving your body. (I like to move it, move it.) Whether you choose to walk, run, hike, float or bike — at a leisurely or heart pumping pace — (float at a heart pumping pace?) you’re improving your physical and mental health. (Unless you’re overthinking the floating.) We otter know, right?

Learn how to improve your health in wellness while visiting parks at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/health-and-wellness-benefits-of-parks.htm

01/02/2024

New year, new podcast?

We’re all ears! Looking for a new podcast series to kick off the new year? My Park Story, a “parkcast” hosted by the National Park Service, tells the stories of individuals who share their unique connections to the parks and the National Park Service in their communities. Listen as we explore personal stories of enjoyment, education, and inspiration in these special places and spaces.

Check out ten episodes at: https://www.nps.gov/podcasts/my-park-story-podcast.htm (Also found on Apple Podcasts)

Image: What large ears you have. Better to listen to new podcasts. A deer shows off its ears at Zion National Park

01/01/2024

01/01/2024

from Castle Clinton National Monument 🥂

The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. Resolve to spend more time in National Parks and Monuments this year, especially Castle Clinton, to discover the diverse sceneries and stories that make us America's best idea.

📸: Jasper Francis Cropsey. A Sketch of Castle Garden. 1851. New-York Historical Society

01/01/2024

New year. New resolutions. (Otherwise known as casual promises to yourself that you’re under no legal obligation to fulfill.) No pressure, dude. (But nice marmot.)

National parks are great places to explore or set new goals in. Did you know that activity outside is proven to make you smarter, stronger, happier, and more productive? To achieve those traits, we recommend planning your park adventure ahead of time, following park regulations, and practicing safe and responsible behavior. (That marmot may be friend shaped, but it has all the friends it needs.)

Learn more about the benefits of getting outdoors, when it’s warmer, for all our cold-area folks, or right now at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/naturesbenefits.htm

What are some of your national park goals in 2024?

Image: A marmot perched on a rock at Mount Rainier National Park. NPS/T. Darling

01/01/2024

Castle Clinton National Monument at The Battery and the Statue of Liberty.

(photo credit: )

Happy New Year from Shakespeare Downtown!

12/31/2023

Tips to stay awake on New Year’s Eve:

🎉 Be active and talk to people. If you’re around friends or family for New Year’s, make conversation with them about national parks, bison, birds, that time you ran into a spider web, or when you pushed a slower friend down after seeing a bear (assuming that friend is not in attendance. Awkward.) Go with whatever you think others would like to hear over and over.

🎉 Stay on your feet. Dance (like no one’s watching but everyone is), walk around the house or challenge your friends to a hike around the block. Let’s not go all 20-mile trek across the Grand Canyon. Make sure and wear proper footwear as slipping on an icy patch in flip flops is not the best way to start your “new year, new you” resolution. Why are you like this?

🎉 Whatever you do, just make sure not to sit or lay down for long periods of time. You don’t want to get too comfortable or you might end up testing your eyes for an hour or four. (Happy January 2nd!)

You got this! It’ll be a hoot! Soon enough it will be midnight! Then you can immediately go to bed.

Image: Two Mexican spotted owls, one with eyes open, the other with eyes closed perched at Zion National Park.

12/31/2023

What was one of our most popular posts of 2023?

Chasing waterfalls, of course.

As we head into 2024, remember, waterfalls in parks are popular places for viewing and taking photos. While beautiful to see, they can pose risks to unprepared visitors. Slippery rocks, steep slopes, ‘90s nostalgia, and undercurrents can catch you by surprise when walking through or in the vicinity of a waterfall.

What’s the rush? (Besides the water.) If you’re exploring a waterfall, make sure to know the potential hazards. Keep a safe distance from the edge, avoid slippery rocks, wear stable shoes (flippy floppies may lead to sloppy slippies) and always watch your footing.

Image: Screenshot of National Park Service tweet that reads, “Don't go chasing waterfalls...cautiously approach and be careful of slippery conditions. In fact, you may just want to stick to the rivers and lakes that you're used to.”

12/30/2023

What do you call a falcon born in the 1980s and mid-1990s?

A Millennial Falcon, of course. A bad joke that was. We can hear the groans from every quadrant. This peregrine falcon is not impressed. It also thinks it could make the Kessel Run in less than 14 parsecs. Impressive. That’s like 3 light-years give or take. (We don’t know, it’s out of our wheelhouse. If there are any Star Trek or LOTR followers that want to chime in, go for it.)

Now that we’ve offended everyone (going solo), for those still reading, falcons are fast. They are expert hunters, and their dive speeds can reach over 200 miles per hour. They frequently perch on the rays of the Statue of Liberty's crown, which provide an excellent starting point for dives.

Image: A Peregrine Falcon perched on one of the rays of the statue's crown, with Lower Manhattan in the background.

12/30/2023

Who did it better?

12/30/2023

A huge THANK YOU to the incredible Cuyahoga Valley maintenance team for swiftly repairing the footbridge on the south eastern side of the Ledges Trail! It was recently damaged by a fallen tree. Bravo!

12/29/2023

We’re back with another edition of , and it is just in time for this magical season!

This one-hundred-year-old membership card from the Society of American Magicians was found long ago on a cave tour route inside Mammoth Cave. While a magician’s membership card inside the cave is a pretty cool discovery, this card is especially interesting because it bears the signature of then society president and arguably the most famous illusionist of all time – Harry Houdini! Wow!

Now the card is safely preserved within the park’s curatorial collection. We just hope it doesn’t try to escape!

To learn more about museum management and view virtual exhibits from parks across the nation, check out this link: https://ow.ly/tOPL50Qmz7c

12/29/2023

12/29/2023

As you make those New Year’s resolutions, don’t forget to add in to always be safe around wildlife and encourage others to be safe and respectful too. You might be thinking, “really, National Park Service social media manager? Do you have to say that? Isn’t warning the public about keeping their distance from wildlife like amazing job security?” We digress.

It’s said many people set a resolution based on what they think they should do, rather than what they actually want to do. When it comes to wildlife safety, you should do both. Let’s be honest, resolutions are hard to keep and sometimes “vacation brain” takes over or lets you down. “Where are my car keys? Why is Grandma taking her shoes off near the hot springs? I think that bear is my friend?”

In the new year, keep yourself and other visitors safe and wildlife wild by setting a good example! Remember to treat wildlife with proper caution and respect. Learn more ways to stay safe at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/watchingwildlife/7ways.htm

P.S. If your new year’s resolution involves more travel, we got you covered. Come see us! Exercise more? We can help with that too. Think hiking and not being chased by a disgruntled bison. (Hmm, think of the cardio…Nope. Nada. Not going there.)

12/28/2023

The National Park Service announces the designation of 11 communities across the United States as American World War II Heritage Cities.

The American World War II Heritage Cities Program honors the contributions of local towns, cities, counties and their citizens who stepped into the workforce to support America's war effort during World War II.

The 11 newly designated communities are:

* Foley, Alabama
* Tempe, Arizona
* Richmond, California
* Wilmington, Delaware
* Waterloo, Iowa
* Baltimore County, Maryland
* Johnson County and Warrensburg, Missouri (joint community nomination)
* Hastings, Nebraska
* Boulder City and Henderson, Nevada (joint community nomination)
* Yonkers, New York
* Bedford County, Virginia

Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/national-park-services-announces-new-american-world-war-ii-heritage-cities.htm

Image: The National D-Day Memorial, located in Bedford County, Virginia, preserves the legacy of D-Day, including Virginia National Guard soldiers from Company A, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, “Bedford Boys” based in the town of Bedford. Photo/National D-Day Memorial Foundation

12/28/2023

National parks are home to awe-inspiring landscapes and iconic wildlife, including habitat for threatened and endangered species. Today marks the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). When passed in 1973, it recognized that our rich natural heritage is of "esthetic, ecological, educational, recreational, and scientific value to our Nation and its people." It further expressed concern that many of our nation's native plants and animals were in danger of becoming extinct.

Learn more at: https://www.fws.gov/story/2023-03/celebrating-50-years-endangered-species-act

Image: Now being reintroduced into the wild at parks in South Dakota, the Black-Footed Ferret was once almost extinct due to habitat loss and non-native disease.

12/27/2023

The space between December 26th and January 1st, where you don’t know what day it is, who you are, and what you’re supposed to be doing…

How about a nap?

(Three hours later)

Well, that did nothing. Maybe some trip planning? Whether you want to explore local places or plan a big park vacation, you can find a place to suit your interests! Get started at: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit

Image: A prairie dog at Devils Tower National Monument sits beside a burrow with legs spread and a blank expression as it contemplates New Year's resolutions that it will not keep.

12/27/2023

Kick off the new year on the right foot!

National parks are a great place to begin your new year's resolution of enjoying the health benefits of parks while also admiring the stunning scenery.

Find tips to plan your hike, plus some yearlong challenges to keep going at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/first-day-hikes.htm

Share your experience and inspire others on social media using and !

📸: A hiker on the Mount Storm King trail at Olympic National Park. NPS/Nicole Segnini

12/26/2023

Happy First Day of Kwanzaa!
Principle of the Day: UMOJA -- UNITY

We hope to see you at our in-person Kwanzaa celebration, which begins today! For details, please see our calendar: https://www.nps.gov/afbg/planyourvisit/calendar.htm

12/25/2023

Wishing everyone a happy holiday from all of us here at Castle Clinton National Monument!🎅🎄🎁

12/24/2023

Castle Clinton will be closed for Christmas Day on Monday, December 25th. The park will reopen on Tuesday, December 26th at 7:45 AM and resume regular operating hours. Please visit our website at nps.gov/cacl/planyourvisit for more information.

12/22/2023

Meet Christine, our Student Conservation Association Park Ranger Intern at Castle Clinton National Monument!

Christine was born and raised in Michigan, where she attended the University of Michigan to study both Ecology and Spanish Literature. Her favorite National Park is Big Bend, as it is one of the few she has visited, and she found its immense landscape breathtaking. She has been working at Castle Clinton for a few weeks now and her favorite part so far has been interacting with visitors from around the world.

Over the next few months, Christine will be working on researching, developing and presenting in-person programs and digital content to our visitors. Help us wish her a warm welcome to Castle Clinton! 🤝

12/15/2023

We're hiring!

National Parks of New York Harbor, Manhattan Sites, is looking for a new Budget Analyst. Click on the link for job description, salary, benefits, and more.

This position is located at Manhattan Sites in Lower Manhattan, New York. Manhattan Sites includes African Burial Ground NM, Castle Clinton NM. Stonewall NM, Federal Hall NM, Governors Island NM, General Grant NM, Hamilton Grange NM, Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace NHS and Saint Paul's Church...

12/12/2023

12/10/2023

On this date, December 10th, 1896, the first New York City Aquarium opened to the public.

On the first day of opening, over 30,000 New Yorkers walked through the entrance of the new Aquarium, drawn to the building by promises of 80 different species of fish from around the world. Visitors fell in love with what they saw and returned year after year. Average yearly attendance at the aquarium would top 2,500,000 visitors, with over 15,000 people a day sometimes visiting in the 1930s.

The building became one of the most famous in New York, and by the time it closed for demolition in September 1941, over 80,000,000 visitors had come to learn about aquatic life at the Battery. New Yorkers loved their aquarium, and it was precisely because of this love that the citizens of New York were determined to save the building from demolition. They won that fight, and though much of the building was destroyed during the battle, its memory still lives on at Castle Clinton National Monument in the colorful stories and descriptions of Park Rangers.

Alt Text: Black and white photo of a circular-shaped building in a park near the water.

Photo Credit: New York Public Library, Public Domain.

12/06/2023

Do you have a bunch of questions you're just dying to ask us? Are you not sure where to ask? You're in luck!

Castle Clinton recently updated its contact information. For general inquiries, please call us at 212-344-7220, email us at [email protected], or send mail to 26 Wall St, New York, NY 10005. You can also check out our website at nps.gov/cacl/contacts.htm

We'd love to hear from you!

Alt Text: A Park Ranger showing students an exhibit in a museum.

Credit: NPS Photo