Which Hudson Valley recreation areas are ADA accessible? Check out DEC's new map

New Yorkers can now more easily find accessible recreation areas throughout the state, including a number of parks and other areas in the Hudson Valley region.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the creation of an Accessible Recreation Destinations Map last month to help New Yorkers and visitors locate wheelchair accessible features at education centers, campgrounds and day use parks, waterway access sites and land areas.

"Inclusivity begins with consideration for everyone's abilities and preferences when enjoying all our great state has to offer," says New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities commissioner Kerri Neifeld. "It's wonderful to see adaptable equipment for fishing and boating, upgraded facilities onsite, accessible trails and mapped locations available for all New Yorkers to plan outdoor adventures with friends and family."

The DEC completed over $5 million in recreation upgrades to enhance the experience of people with disabilities who access the DEC's lands and services, including the addition of two new fully accessible shower buildings at Mongaup Pond Campground and Day Use Area in Sullivan County.

Here's what to know.

What are the accessibility options at NY's recreation areas?

The map includes 266 destinations statewide with wheelchair accessible outdoor recreation opportunities, which are consistent with the federal accessibility standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Architectural Barriers Act.

Here's what you'll be able to find:

• Accessible boat launches and fishing platforms
• Picnic and viewing areas that have wheelchair accessible amenities and are accessible by an outdoor access route or accessible trail
• Accessible campsites designed for use by people with mobility disabilities, including accessible picnic tables and fireplaces and a firm, graded surface suitable for navigation of a mobility device
• Accessible trails with shallow grades, wide tread and firm compact surfaces of crushed stone, boardwalk and pavement

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What information does the map include?

When you click on the individual icons that each represent an accessible education center, campground or day use park, waterway access site or land area on the map, you'll be able to find out information about the location, including:

• Accessible features
• Location
• Trail information
• Access information
• Region
• County
• Waterbody
• Webpage
• Facility information

You can also search for specific locations, bookmark your favorites and see photos of the accessible elements.

Which Hudson Valley locations are included on the accessibility map?

There are nearly two dozen locations within the Hudson Valley region that are a part of the DEC's accessible recreation map, including:

• Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center in Dutchess County
• Kenneth L. Wilson Campground and Day Use Area in Ulster County
• Mongaup Pond Campground and Day Use Area in Sullivan County
• Bear Spring Mountain Campground and Day Use Area in Delaware County
• Little Pond Campground and Day Use Area in Delaware County
• North-South Lake Campground and Day Use Area in Greene County
• Green Lake Fishing Access Site in Greene County
• Bashakill Wildlife Management Area in Sullivan and Orange counties
• Bluestone Wild Forest in Ulster County
• Maurice D. Hinchey Catskill Interpretive Center in Ulster County
• Mongaup Valley Wildlife Management Area in Sullivan and Orange counties
• Phoenicia-Mt. Tobias Wild Forest in Ulster County
• Shandaken Wild Forest in Ulster and Greene counties
• White Pond Multiple Use Area in Putnam County
• Willowemoc Wild Forest in Sullivan and Ulster counties
• Beals Pond State Forest in Delaware County
• Colgate Lake Wild Forest in Greene County
• Delaware Wild Forest in Delaware County
• Kaaterskill Wild Forest in Greene and Ulster counties
• Stockport Flats Wildlife Management Area in Columbia County
• Vosburgh Swamp Wildlife Management Area in Greene County

Emily Barnes is the New York State Team consumer advocate reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@gannett.com.