Governor Hochul Announces Completion of Lake Sophia Swimming Area at Sojourner Truth State Park

First New State Park Swim Facility in More Than 20 Years

Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act Funds Utilized To Create New Summer Recreation Opportunities for Kingston Area Residents

Project Advances NY SWIMS Initiative

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of the Lake Sophia swimming facility and bathhouse pavilion at Sojourner Truth State Park in Ulster County. Featuring a swimming area larger than two Olympic-size swimming pools, Lake Sophia will accommodate hundreds of swimmers a day and help Kingston area residents safely cool off during increasingly hot summer months. The new swim area of Sojourner Truth State Park will be open daily from 10a.m. – 6p.m. through Labor Day weekend.

“A trailblazing facility named for a trailblazing woman, Lake Sophia is an important and affordable recreation resource that will help New York families stay cool and active during the summer months,” Governor Hochul said. “Thanks to the voter supported Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, we are creating new opportunities for Hudson Valley residents ‘Get Offline, Get Outside’ and prioritize their wellbeing. The Lake Sophia swim area project is a major investment in community wellness and climate resilience, and an exciting addition to the New York State Park system.

The first new swimming facility to open at a state park in more than 20 years, Lake Sophia offers visitors a one-of-a-kind experience. Its spring-fed quarry waters feature an almost tropical turquoise color creating a unique visual aesthetic not found at other nearby lakes.

Named in honor of Sojourner Truth’s daughter, Sophia, the lake is located on the western side of the park and features a 12,000-square-foot swim crib with an in-pool ramp and ADA-compliant gangway. Designed with accessibility at its core, the facility provides a safe and welcoming environment for those learning to swim and visitors of all abilities. For more experienced swimmers, an additional 16,000-square-foot guarded deep-water swim area is available, fed by the same visually stunning spring waters.

Adjacent to the designated swim area is a new bathhouse pavilion featuring public restrooms, showers, a first aid station, and lifeguard facilities, enhancing the visiting experience with the amenities and safety infrastructure expected at a modern public swimming destination.

Part of a larger project to establish permanent visitor facilities at Sojourner Truth State Park, much of the park's development has been funded by the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act. Investments from the Bond Act total $68.1 million with an additional $7.5 million supported by State Parks capital fund.

In addition to the Lake Sophia swimming area and bathhouse pavilion, the improvements underway include a new entrance off route 32, restoration of existing historic structures, miles of hiking trails, community gathering spaces, maintenance facilities, and administrative buildings. Construction of these park improvements are expected to be completed in 2027. Renderings can be found here.

The completion of the Lake Sophia project highlights Governor Hochul’s commitment to expand equitable access to swimming and outdoor recreation and addresses the Governor’s 2024 State of the State promises to close equity gaps and increase access to summer recreation opportunities for disadvantaged communities. Approximately half of Sojourner Truth State Park is in a Low to Moderate Income area as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and 17.9 percent of the people in the location’s zip code are below the census-defined poverty level. With support from the NY SWIMS program, residents from high-need neighborhoods surrounding the park now have access to a state-of-the-art swimming facility and crucial open space.

Complementing the “Get Offline, Get Outside” initiative, Lake Sophia provides a new and affordable opportunity for families to put down their electronic devices, connect with the community, and enjoy mental and physical health benefits of spending time outdoors. The initiative encourages New Yorker’s to take advantage of state parks, trails, beaches, pools and historic sites while promoting a healthy lifestyle for young people and families.

The first state park located in the City of Kingston and the Town of Ulster, Sojourner Truth State Park is one of the newest additions to the New York State Park system. Named for the 19th century African American abolitionist and suffragist Sojourner Truth, the park offers spectacular views of the Hudson River, historic industrial ruins and remnants of the region’s brickmaking and quarrying industries, as well as diverse natural habitat areas including woods, wetlands, steep cliffs, and ridgelines. Located along the Empire State Trail, the park provides ample opportunities for walking, hiking, and biking.

Sojourner Truth was born Isabella Baumfree (Bomefree), enslaved among Dutch people in Ulster County. A dynamic abolitionist, suffragist, and human rights advocate, she “walked away by daylight,” freeing herself from slavery one year before legal enslavement ended in New York. Her accomplishments and vital contributions to American history are recognized with the namesake park and installation of a bronze statue at Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, created by the sculptor Vinnie Bagwell. The elevation of her story is a key example of State Parks’ Our Whole History (OWH) initiative which seeks to reveal and share historically underrepresented stories of ordinary and extraordinary people across New York State.