Governor Kathy Hochul announced the launch of the New York State Community World Cup Grant Program, a new statewide initiative that will support locally led public viewing events tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and help extend the excitement of the tournament to communities across New York. The program is designed to expand access to the World Cup experience by supporting community-based celebrations that bring the excitement of the tournament to regions across New York State. By broadening the reach of this global moment, New York State is ensuring that residents in every corner of the state can take part in one of the world’s most celebrated sporting events.
“New York is proud to play a leading role in hosting the 2026 World Cup, and we want every community to share in the excitement,” Governor Hochul said. “This new program helps bring the spirit of the tournament beyond the stadium and into towns and cities across the state, giving New Yorkers everywhere a chance to come together and celebrate.”
Jul 5 W76 vs W78 (Match 91) Jul 19 W101 vs W102 (Match 104) – final
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Hosting the World Cup is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and we want every New Yorker to feel part of it. This program empowers local leaders to create welcoming, community-driven events that bring people together, support small businesses, and showcase the unique character of each region.”
The New York State Community World Cup Grant Program is designed to broaden the reach of the World Cup experience by creating new opportunities for communities across the state to participate in the excitement of the tournament. Through the program, Empire State Development will support locally led public viewing events across the Capital Region, Central New York, the Finger Lakes, the Mohawk Valley, the North Country, the Southern Tier, and Western New York, helping communities create celebrations that reflect local pride and bring neighbors together around this global moment. New York State is also advancing plans for additional World Cup programming on Long Island and in the Mid-Hudson Region, which will be announced at a later date, and partnering with the NY/NJ Host Committee on official fan events in New York City.
Municipalities, nonprofit organizations, tourism entities, and other eligible partners will be invited to apply for support to host public viewing events that celebrate the World Cup and reflect local community identity. Eligible applicants must complete and submit a Consolidated Funding Application for review by New York State and the Regional Economic Development Council for the region in which the proposed event is located. Applications must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on February 13, 2026.
About Empire State Development Empire State Development is New York’s chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state’s 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state’s world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
Free Events at 117 State Parks, Historic Sites, DEC Natural Areas and Environmental Education Centers, Canal Trails and Other Public Lands on New Year’s Day
For the 15th Year in a Row, Outdoor Hikes Make Mental and Physical Wellness Part of New Yorkers’ New Year’s Tradition
For More Information or To Register for Events, Visit the State Parks, DEC and Canals Websites
Governor Kathy Hochul is encouraging New Yorkers to start their year off with wellness at the forefront by participating in a First Day Hike for free. New Yorkers will have an opportunity to “Get Offline, and Get Outside” this holiday season, by celebrating the New Year at state parks, historic sites, natural areas, canal trails, environmental education centers and various other public lands across the Empire State on January 1, 2026. The 15th annual First Day Hikes program offers varied hike options for people of all experience levels at 117 locations across the state.
“Kick off the New Year in the great outdoors and put your mental and physical wellness first by joining our fellow New Yorkers for First Day Hikes,” Governor Hochul said. “A fantastic and affordable tradition, this special event allows us to find comfort in the winter beauty of our public lands while also creating opportunities to connect with our communities, friends, and families, distraction free.”
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Canal Corporation are partnering to host the many walks and hikes taking place throughout the state as part of the 15th annual First Day Hikes program. To keep the event affordable for families in the holiday season, the normal parking fee at state parks and sites will be waived on January 1.
The First Day Hikes program advances Governor Hochul’s Get Offline, Get Outside initiative which encourages New York kids and families to log off of their phones and put their mental and physical health first as they head outside to get fresh air, play sports, enjoy nature, and see everything else our state has to offer. First Day Hikes is an important component of this initiative as it showcases the various winter recreation opportunities afforded to New Yorkers of all ages.
Most hikes are beginner and family friendly, typically ranging from one to five miles depending on the location and trail conditions. This year, there are more than 125 individual hikes being offered at state parks, historic sites, DEC natural areas and environmental education centers, canal trails, and other public lands.
Hiking is one of the many ways children can participate in DEC’s “Get Offline, Get Outside Challenge” to help address the youth mental health crisis by encouraging teens to engage in interesting and exciting outdoor activities. For more information about the challenge, including suggested locations to help complete activities, upcoming events, resources and associated recommendations, visit the DEC’s Get Offline, Get Outside Challenge webpage.
Many First Day Hikes are led in partnership with ‘Friends’ groups who are stewards on State lands, as well as other partners across the state. This year, DEC and State Parks are partnering with the New York State Outdoor Guides Association (NYSOGA) on the event, to offer even more hiking opportunities to the public with several First Day Hikes led by New York State licensed guide professionals. NYSOGA represents guides from every part of New York State and helps provide opportunities for the public to engage with the outdoors and try something new via fun and educational guided recreation experiences.
A list of all New York State First Day Hikes, location details, format, pre-registration requirements, and additional information can be found online for State Parks, DEC and Canals sites. Interested participants are encouraged to check the details of their preferred host site in advance and register if required.
Starting in Massachusetts in 1992, First Day Hikes is now a national event taking place in all 50 states. While the following locations offer organized activities, most of New York’s public lands are accessible on New Year’s Day and throughout the entire winter season.
List of First Day Hikes by region:
Western New York
Allegany State Park – Quaker Area, Salamanca; 716.354.2182
Boutwell Hill State Forest (DEC), Cherry Creek; 716.680.1865
Darien Lake State Park, Darien Center; 585.547.9242
Elkdale State Forest (DEC), Little Valley; 716.689.4177
Evangola State Park, Irving; 716.549.1802
Fort Niagara State Park, Youngstown; 716.218.7904
Genesee Valley Greenway State Park, Belfast; 585.493.3614 (2 Hikes)
Genesee Valley Greenway State Park, Cuba; 585.493.3614
Genesee Valley Greenway State Park, Fillmore; 585.493.3614
Genesee Valley Greenway State Park, Hinsdale; 585.493.3614
Harris Hill State Forest (DEC), Gerry; 716.753.0266
Knox Farm State Park, East Aurora; 716.652.0786
Niagara Falls State Park, Niagara Falls; 716.278.1794
Phillips Creek State Forest (DEC), West Almond; impactfriendsgroup@gmail.com (4 hikes)
Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center (DEC), Depew; 716.683.5959
Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Falls; 716.284.5778
Wilson Tuscarora State Park, Wilson; 716.751.6361
Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area – Holcomb Pond (DEC), Collins; 440.983.0023
Finger Lakes and Central New York
Bowman Lake State Park / McDonough State Forest (DEC), Oxford; 607.251.3477 (multiple hikes)
Catharine Valley Trail, Watkins Glen; 607.535.4511
Chenango Valley State Park, Chenango Forks; 607.648.5251
Clark Reservation State Park, Jamesville; 315.492.1756
Delta Lake State Park, Rome; 315.337.4670
Erie Canal – Palmyra, Palmyra
Erie Canal – Macedon, Macedon
Fillmore Glen State Park, Moravia; 315.497.0130
Fort Ontario State Historic Site, Oswego; 315.343.4711
Genesee Valley Greenway State Park, Avon; 585.493.3614
Genesee Valley Greenway State Park, Fowlerville; 585.493.3614
Genesee Valley Greenway State Park, Mt Morris; 585.493.3614
Genesee Valley Greenway State Park, Nunda; 585.493.3614
Genesee Valley Greenway State Park, Piffard; 585.493.3614
Genesee Valley Greenway State Park, Rochester; 585.493.3614
Genesee Valley Greenway State Park, Scottsville; 585.493.3614
Genesee Valley Greenway State Park, York Landing; 585.493.3614
Gilbert Lake State Park, Laurens; 607.432.2114
Glimmerglass State Park, Cooperstown; 607.547.8662
Green Lakes State Park, Fayetteville; 315.637.6111
Hamlin Beach State Park, Hamlin; 585.258.8937 Hemlock-Canadice State Forest (DEC), Canadice; 585.374.8366 (2 hikes)
Herkimer Home State Historic Site, Little Falls; 315.823.0398
Italy Hill State Forest (DEC), Italy; 585.358.6301 (2 hikes)
Letchworth State Park – Humphrey Nature Center, Castile; 585.493.3600 (4 hikes)
Letchworth State Park – South Highbanks Shelter, Mt. Morris; 585.493.3600 (2 hikes)
Montezuma Audubon Center, Savannah; 315-365-3588, register here
Newtown Battlefield State Park, Elmira; 607.732.6067
Rogers Environmental Education Center, DEC’s Friends Support Group, Sherburne; 607.674.4733 (2 hikes)
Selkirk Shores State Park, Pulaski; 315.298.5737
Seneca Lake State Park, Geneva; 315.789.2331
Sugar Hill State Forest (DEC), Watkins Glen; 607.372.1646
Taughannock Falls State Park, Trumansburg; 607.539.4078 (2 hikes)
Two Rivers State Park Recreation Area, Waverly; 607.732.6287
Utica Marsh Wildlife Management Area (DEC), Marcy; 315.866.6330 ext. 132
Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park, Great River; 631.581.1002
Belmont Lake State Park, North Babylon; 631.667.5055
Bethpage State Park, Farmingdale; 516.249.0701
Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, Huntington; 631.423.1770
Clay Pit Ponds State Park, Staten Island; 718.967.1976
Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale; 631.581.1005
Gantry Plaza State Park, Queens; 347.935.3039
Hallock State Park Preserve, Riverhead; 631.315.5475
Heckscher State Park, East Islip; 631.581.2100
Hempstead Lake State Park, West Hempstead; 516.766.1029
Jones Beach State Park, Wantagh; 516.785.1600
Montauk Point State Park, Montauk; 631.668.3781
Mount Loretto Unique Area (DEC), Staten Island; ppow@siprotectors.org
Nissequogue River State Park, Kings Park; 631.269.4927
Orient Beach State Park, Orient; 631.323.2440
Ridge Conservation Area (DEC), Ridge; bill.fonda@dec.ny.gov
Robert Moses State Park, Babylon; 631.669.0449
Shirley Chisholm State Park, Brooklyn; 718.277.2420
Sunken Meadow State Park, Kings Park; 631.269.4333
Wildwood State Park, Wading River; 631.929.4314
“First Day Hikes offer a welcome break from the holiday rush and a chance to reconnect with nature and one another,” New York State Parks Acting Commissioner Kathy Moser said. “This annual event encourages you to refocus on your mental and physical well-being and start the New Year on a healthy, positive note. Ring in 2026 by getting offline, getting outside, and exploring New York’s state parks and historic sites on January 1.”
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, and welcomes over 88 million visitors annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, the OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation manages five million acres of public lands, including three million acres in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserve, 55 campgrounds and day-use areas, more than 5,000 miles of formal trails and hundreds of trailheads, boat launches, and fishing piers. Plan your next outdoor adventure and connect with @NYSDEC on social media.
