The National Park Service is officially 100 years old! Established by the Organic Act of 1916, the Service was charged with the task to:
Promote and regulate the use of the Federal areas known as national parks, monuments, and reservations hereinafter specified by such means and measures as conform to the fundamental purposes of the said parks, monuments, and reservations, which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.
New York boasts a staggering 34 sites that fall under the NPS' purview. One of our New York Makers, graphic designer Victor Coreas of Bold Version Design, has memorialized his experience of living on Long Island and the Hudson Valley in a series of prints that celebrate New York's natural heritage and include locales managed by the NPS. These places are worth visiting in any season, of course, but if you can't quite make the journey, these illustrations will transport you into a New York R&R State of Mind (hint: they're ideal for an office or dorm room).
Fire Island National Seashore
The 26 miles of this coastline boast "rhythmic waves, high dunes, ancient maritime forests, historic landmarks and glimpses of wildlife." Activities include beach and backdune wilderness camping, climbing the 182 steps to the top of the Fire Island Lighthouse (historically the first sign of land many Atlantic travelers saw when arriving in America), viewing the juried art exhibition at the Patchogue-Watch Hill Ferry Terminal, and, just across the Great South Bay on Long Island, touring the William Floyd Estate, home to one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Need further nudging? Peruse these Instagram photos tagged using #100FireIslandPhotos. Looking to go Labor Day weekend? Saturday, Sept. 3 and Sunday, Sept. 4 you can view the annual Sand Creation Contest. This year's theme? The National Parks, of course.
Victor's Bold Version Design offerings include specific sites on the Fire Island National Shoreline: From the Robert Moses State Park on the western end, to the northern border with the Great South Bay, to, at the easternmost point, Ho-Hum Beach, plus the humpback whales that are sometimes spotted from the shore.
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