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Albany,
NY – November 2023 / NewsmakerAlert: Governor Kathy Hochul announces
that the New York State Office of Parks,
Recreation and Historic Preservation along with several tourism stakeholders
in Niagara
Falls, NY will be collaborating with the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration to provide programming and special events around the Total
Solar Eclipse that will take place on April 8, 2024.
“Niagara
Falls is a spectacular natural backdrop for this once-in-a-lifetime event,
and working with NASA to provide the programming and education leading
up to the eclipse is sure to attract thousands of New Yorkers and visitors
to the city,” Governor Hochul said. “We are excited to be working with
so many of our tourism partners to bring an electric energy throughout
the area for this celestial wonder.”
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NASA
Associate Administrator for Science Nicola Fox said, “We’re excited to
be in New York to engage and educate Niagara Falls and surrounding communities
about the total solar eclipse. We hope these events, along with all our
nationwide eclipse activities, inspire and encourage the next generation
– the Artemis Generation – of explorers, scientists, and engineers.”
Beginning
on April 4, 2024, scientists, subject matter experts and astronauts from
NASA will be providing programming and exhibits throughout the city at
locations including the Niagara Falls Public Libraries, The Underground
Railroad Heritage Center, The Aquarium of Niagara, the New York Power Authority
Power Vista, the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute and Niagara Falls State
Park. All events will be free and open to the public (reservations may
be required based on space availability) throughout the entire weekend
leading up to the April 8 event. NASA will be hosting similar events in
several other cities throughout the path of totality.
A number
of state agencies & authorities have comprised a task force with partners
at all levels of government to ensure the health and safety of New Yorkers
and visitors for the event. This collaboration is and has been studying
the preparation, after-actions and recommendations of states and municipalities
that were in the path of the August 2017 eclipse. Other working endeavors
include communications and operations, traffic control and planning, marketing
and education. For the eclipse and its preparations, New York State will
maintain its role of logistical support along with managing its own assets
like parks and roads. In July, Governor Hochul announced some
State Park campgrounds would be opening to accommodate visitors for
this celestial event; all of those sites are now full. For more information
on how to best experience the eclipse in New York State, including suggested
viewing areas, planned events and important safety information, visit www.ILoveNY.com/eclipse
today.
New
York State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, “We have been planning
for this event for several years and in our wildest dreams couldn’t have
imagined being able to work with NASA to provide this incredible experience.
We know that people will be flocking to the city and Park to take part
in all of the events leading up to the big moment.”
Destination
Niagara President and CEO John Percy said, “The natural beauty of Niagara
Falls State Park and the surrounding area provides many unique vantage
points for visitors to experience the total solar eclipse. The additional
programming provided by NASA truly distinguishes Niagara Falls USA as the
preeminent location for viewing this natural phenomenon.”
State
Senator Rob Ortt said, “A total Solar Eclipse is a rare, exciting event
and the fact Western New York is at the center of one next year and NASA
scientists are going to provide special events and programming in our area
will make for some truly unforgettable experiences, in addition to providing
a much-needed boost to the Niagara Falls economy.”
Assemblymember
Angelo Morinello said, “Having NASA come to Niagara Falls for this once
in a lifetime event is exciting and will certainly serve to enhance the
experience of this eclipse. We know that people will be coming to Niagara
Falls from all over and it will be wonderful to be able to supplement their
visit with the programming that will be provided.”
Niagara
Falls Mayor Robert Restaino said, “We are pleased to be one of the host
cities to join with NASA in observation of this spectacular natural wonder…thank
you to Governor Hochul for recognizing that Niagara Falls, home to New
York State’s natural wonder, is the perfect location.”
New
York Power Authority Western New York Regional Manager Jairo Florez said,
“As a free, public, recreation and education facility at NASA’s last designated
“sun spot” before the eclipse moves into Canada, the New York Power Authority’s
Niagara Power Vista looks forward to its collaborative programming with
NASA and NYS Parks to supporting this unique viewing and education opportunity.”
Niagara
County Community College President William Murabito said, “Niagara County
Community College is excited to host NASA for what is sure to be a unique
event here in western New York. Exploration, imagination, and science form
the foundation of instruction at our Niagara Falls Culinary Institute,
making it an ideal site for this partnership. We look forward to bringing
programming around next April’s solar eclipse to the broadest audience
possible.”
Niagara
Falls will experience the beginning of the eclipse at 2:04 pm with full
totality starting at 3:18 pm, lasting 3 minutes and 31 seconds. The eclipse
will wrap up at 4:31 pm.
Niagara
Falls programming details will be updated as they develop at www.NiagaraFallsUSA.com/2024-solar-eclipse.
Information
on events taking place across New York State visit www.ILoveNY.com/events/eclipse-2024.
For
more information on the science of the eclipse see solarsystem.NASA.gov/eclipses/2024/apr-8-total/overview.
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New
York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP)
oversees more than 250 individual parks, historic sites, recreational trails
and boat launches, which were visited by a record 79.5 million people in
2022. 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
Media
Contact:
Dan
Keefe
Public
Information Officer
518-486-1868
news@parks.ny.gov |
