DE BLASIO ADMINISTRATION AND PARTNERS TO GIVE 3,700 NEW YORK CITY YOUTH GIFTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

 

The holiday initiative led by NYC Service, in collaboration with other City agencies, leverages City government volunteers and private sector partnerships to distribute gifts citywide

Mayor Bill de Blasio and Chief Service Officer Laura Rog today announced that holiday wishes for more than 3,700 New York City children and youth were fulfilled by more than 2,000 volunteers from City government, including the Mayor, and the private sector through the seventh annual Secret Snowflake gift-giving initiative.

 

“Secret Snowflake is a testament to the giving spirit and generosity of New Yorkers. The holidays can be a difficult time for the young people of our city, but New Yorkers have shown once again how powerful we are when we work together to help those that need us," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I want to thank the tremendous effort of all the volunteers, City agencies and businesses that donated gifts to the youth and children that need them the most.”

 

Secret Snowflake mobilizes City and private sector employees as volunteers to answer letters from children and youth referred by City agencies. Since 2014, Secret Snowflake has answered the holiday wishes of more than 19,000 New York City children and youth, ranging in age from one month to 18 years old.

 

“2021 has presented another year of extraordinary challenges, and NYC Service is proud to support youth and their families and caregivers again this holiday season,” said Chief Service Officer Laura Rog.  “We appreciate the continued commitment from our business partners and City staff in answering more than 3,700 letters this year, and the generosity they have displayed once again. Our city is at its best when residents come together to support each other, and their volunteer efforts are especially important this time of year.”

 

NYC Service partnered with the Administration for Children's Services (ACS), the Department for the Aging (DFTA), the Department of Education (DOE), the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), the Human Resources Administration (HRA), the Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) and the Mayor's Office to End Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV) to collect letters from children and youth served by their agencies before the holiday season. Secret Snowflake letters typically request necessities, such as clothing, shoes, or a warm coat to get through the winter, as well as toys, books, and other game-based activities.

 

“The Secret Snowflake initiative is a true example of the spirit of giving and this holiday season thousands of New York City children will be able to have a wonderful, memorable gift thanks to the incredible collaboration and generous donations of kind hearted New Yorkers,” said Administration for Children’s Services Commissioner, David A. Hansell. “I want to thank Mayor de Blasio, NYC Service and everyone who made this year’s Secret Snowflake possible for many children served by ACS.” 

 

“This holiday season I am thankful to be a part of such a giving and close-knit community,” said Deputy Chancellor of School Climate and Wellness, LaShawn Robinson. “Secret Snowflake is a reflection of the heart of New York City which is large and overflowing with generosity, especially when it comes to our children. I extend my gratitude and heartfelt thanks to all of the individuals, organizations, and companies who made this initiative possible. Your dedication to our city and youth deserves to be celebrated.”

 

“This is the Department for the Aging’s third consecutive holiday season with the NYC Service Secret Snowflake initiative, which has helped us provide gifts to hundreds of kinship families and their children,” said Department for the Aging Commissioner, Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez. “This year, our Grandparent Resource Center, which supports grandparent caregivers who care for young children and help keep families united, partnered with the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice and the NYC Police Department to distribute nearly 500 gifts to families.  This is more than a 75% increase from last year. We are grateful to AlphaSights, Company Ventures, Sinpulse  and Minute Media who responded to 160 letters and 87 e-Gift card submissions received from our kinship caregivers and generously provided gifts.”

 

“Secret Snowflake embodies the compassion of our City during the holidays, bringing communities across the five boroughs together to support children and families in need,” said Department of Homeless Services Administrator, Joslyn Carter. “We are proud to once again join NYC Service, our sister City agencies, and private partners in supporting this great initiative, which will bring joy to hundreds of children experiencing homelessness during this holiday season.”

 

“New Yorkers always come together in challenging times, and Secret Snowflake is a perfect example of the big-hearted generosity of our city’s residents and businesses,” said Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner, James Hendon. “We are appreciative of NYC Service and our private partners in helping to provide a happy holiday for the children of our Veterans and military community.”

 

New York City's private sector is a major contributor to Secret Snowflake. This year, employees from 25 NYC businesses responded to Secret Snowflake letters. NYC Service supplemented their gifts with donations from small and large businesses across the city, valued at nearly $21,000. AlphaSights donated $4,999 and Miller Druck provided crucial storage facilities for this year’s initiative.

 

2021 Secret Snowflake Business Volunteers:

●    SL Green

●    Brookfield Properties 

●    Chanel 

●    AXIS Capital 

●    Neuberger Berman 

●    NYTimes 

●    Revlon 

●    Turner Construction Company

●    Deutsche Bank 

●    A&E Television Networks 

●    Macy’s 

●    J Crew 

●    AlphaSights

●    American Airlines

●    Citi

●    Company

●    Extend Enterprises Inc.

●    Holt Construction

●    January Digital

●    Loring Consulting Engineers, Inc.

●    Prudential Private Capital

●    Sard Verbinnen

●    Sony

●    SoundPoint Capital

●    A&E Networks

 

2021 Secret Snowflake In-Kind Partners

●     Greenlight Bookstore

●     HarperCollins Publishers

●     Oracle

●     Miller Druck

●     Synpulse

●     Books Are Magic

 

“The opportunity to share joy during the holidays has become a special tradition at Company Ventures,” said Lindsay Siegel, Head of Impact at Company Ventures. “We look forward to participating in Secret Snowflake each year, offering the startups in our tech community the chance to give back to our city, thanks to NYC Service!”

 

“Each year Prudential Private Capital has the opportunity to partner with an outstanding charitable organization, and we’re grateful to NYC Service and the Mayor’s Office for our participation in Secret Snowflake this year,” said Engin Okaya, Managing Director at Prudential Private Capital. “Our team always looks forward to the opportunity to bring others joy and happiness during the holidays, which has become a welcomed tradition for the New York office of Prudential Private Capital. We particularly appreciate being able to do so this year as COVID-19 continues to impact us and our communities. We fully support organizing this opportunity and giving us the chance to embrace the true spirit of the season of giving and to help those most in need in New York City.”

 

“As a homegrown New York City company, SL Green is committed to enhancing and contributing to the local communities where we live, work, and operate,” said Laura Vulaj, Senior Vice President, Director of Sustainability & Hospitality at SL Green Realty Corp. “We recognize the importance of making a meaningful impact during this time of need.  We are proud to partner with NYC Service for the fourth consecutive year and positively impact the lives of New Yorkers this holiday season.”

 

“As a partner of NYC Service for many years, Citi is thrilled to join Secret Snowflake this holiday season,” said Stephanie Hochman, Lead, Citi Volunteers. “Engaging our colleagues in activities that help give back and bring joy to others is central to the spirit of Citi volunteerism, particularly after a year of continued challenges around COVID-19. Citi thanks NYC Service and the Mayor’s Office for organizing this opportunity and for their continuous efforts to make a positive impact on the lives of our city’s most vulnerable populations.”

 

MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES SCALED BACK NEW YEAR’S EVE TIMES SQUARE CELEBRATION

 

Outdoor event will take place with additional health & safety measures in place

 Mayor de Blasio today announced details for a scaled back Times Square New Year’s Eve, with additional protections in place to ensure a safe celebration. In addition to requiring proof of full vaccination with valid photo identification and being fully outdoors, attendees will also be required to wear masks. Viewing areas will be filled with fewer people to allow for social distancing.

Made in consultation with health and medical experts, these additional safety measures will keep revelers safe and healthy as they ring in the New Year. The City, in partnership with Times Square Alliance will continue to monitor the situation and take additional precautions and measures in the coming days if needed.

 

“New Yorkers have stepped up tremendously over the past year—we are leading the way on vaccinations, we have reopened safely, and every day we work toward building a recovery for all of us,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “There is a lot to celebrate and these additional safety measures will keep the fully vaccinated crowd safe and healthy as we ring in the New Year.”

 

“New York is the best place in the world to celebrate New Year’s Eve and now it will be one of the safest against COVID as well,” said Mayor-elect Eric Adams. “The Mayor has made the right move to take precautionary measures as we learn to live with COVID and fight the Omicron variant—and New Yorkers and visitors alike can now enjoy Times Square and the rest of our city as we ring in 2022.”

 

“This year’s holiday season may not be the one we had hoped for, but we can still have a happy holiday season,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi. “All New Yorkers should get vaccinated and boosted as soon as possible. Wear a quality face mask and stay home if you’re feeling sick, no matter how mild your symptoms.”

 

“We applaud the leadership of Mayor de Blasio in finding a way to welcome revelers into Times Square on New Year's Eve in an even safer way than we originally planned,” said Tom Harris, President of the Times Square Alliance.  “This year revelers will be fully vaccinated, masked, and we will have reduced occupancy in the viewing areas. We understand that everyone will not be able to be here but welcome them to experience New Year's Eve in Times Square from our live webcast, on one of the networks or on the VNYE app.”

 

Normally hosting approximately 58,000 people in viewing areas, this year’s celebration will host approximately 15,000 people, and visitors won’t be allowed entry until 3:00 PM, much later than past years. The health and safety of every guest is the priority of Times Square New Year’s Eve 2022.

 

Vaccination Policy for Times Square New Year’s Eve

 

The Times Square New Year’s Eve organizers will require full vaccinations for all in-person revelers. “Fully vaccinated” means that on the date of December 31, 2021, a reveler is at least 14 days after their second dose of a two dose COVID-19 vaccine OR at least 14 days after their single dose of an approved single dose COVID-19 vaccine.

 

Attendees who are age 5 or over must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter the event. Proof of vaccination must include a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or World Health Organization (WHO) approved COVID-19 vaccine. These are Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca/Oxford, Sinopharm or Sinovac.

 

Unvaccinated minors under the age of 5 must be accompanied by a vaccinated adult to enter the event. The vaccinated adult must present proof of a Food and Drug Administration or World Health Organization approved COVID-19 vaccine. These are Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca/Oxford, Sinopharm or Sinovac. Face coverings are required for unvaccinated minors who are medically able to tolerate a face-covering.

 

Persons who are unable to get vaccinated because of a disability will be required to present proof of a negative COVID PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test taken within 72 hours prior to the event

 

Please visit TSQ.org/FAQ for more answers to frequently asked questions.  

 

How to Watch Times Square New Year’s Eve

The Times Square New Year’s Eve commercial-free webcast will cover the action and festivities in Times Square, beginning with the Ball Raising at 6 p.m. EST, plus live musical performances, hourly countdowns, behind-the-scenes stories, and star-studded interviews as anticipation builds towards the midnight countdown and the famous Ball Drop. The webcast will be streamed live on multiple websites, including TimesSquareNYC.org, NewYearsEve.nyc, LiveStream.com/2022 and TimesSquareBall.net. Embedding codes and additional webcast info is available at: https://www.timessquarenyc.org/times-square-new-years-eve/nye-live-webcast or LiveStream.com/2022.

 

Additionally, Jamestown, the owner of One Times Square – home of the iconic New Year’s Eve Ball Drop Celebration – will bring back its virtual New Year’s Eve experience with the VNYE app. Through the VNYE app, people from across the globe can explore the virtual world of Times Square, play games, and livestream New Year’s Eve celebrations in Times Square and around the world. In 2020, the VNYE app reached more than 3.7 million people worldwide.

 

A number of broadcast networks will be airing elements of the Times Square celebration. 

Info for the Times Square New Year’s Eve television broadcast pool feed is available at https://www.timessquarenyc.org/times-square-new-years-eve/media-press/new-years-eve-pool-feed-information

Governor Hochul Signs Package of Legislation to Address Discrimination and Racial Injustice

 

Legislation S.2987-A/A.5679 Declares Racism a Public Health Crisis

Legislation S.70-A/A.2230 Enacts the Hate Crimes Analysis and Review Act

Legislation S.6639-A/A.6896-A Requires Collection of Demographic Data by State Agencies, Boards, Departments and Commissions

Legislation S.1451-A/A.191 Requires a Health Equity Assessment to be Filed with an Application for Any Project that will Affect a Hospital's Health Care Services

Legislation S.4716-A/A.6215 Requires the Advisement of the Implementation of Language Translation Technology

Legislation S.4316/A.4572 Relates to the Screening of Newborns for Certain Diseases and Conditions

 Governor Kathy Hochul signed a package of legislation aimed at addressing discrimination and racial injustice. Legislation S.2987-A/A.5679 declares racism a public health crisis. Legislation S.70-A/A.2230 enacts the hate crimes analysis and review act. Legislation S.6639-A/A.6896-A requires the collection of certain demographic data by certain state agencies, boards, departments, and commissions. Legislation S.1451-A/A.191 requires a health equity assessment to be filed with an application for any project that will affect a hospital's health care services. Legislation A.1451-A/A.6215 requires the New York State Office of Technology Services to advise all state agencies in the implementation of language translation technology. Legislation S.4316/A.4572 expands the list of diseases for which a newborn can be screened in order to include conditions more prevalent in newborns from the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia.

"For far too long, communities of color in New York have been held back by systemic racism and inequitable treatment," Governor Hochul said. "I am proud to sign legislation that addresses this crisis head-on, addressing racism, expanding equity and improving access for all."

Legislation S.2987-A/A.5679 declares racism a public health crisis and establishes a working group to promote racial equity throughout the State of New York.

Legislation S.70-A/A.2230 enacts the hate crimes analysis and review act, specifying the collection and reporting of certain demographic data regarding the victims and alleged perpetrators of hate crimes.

Legislation S.6639-A/A.6896-A requires the collection of certain demographic information by certain state agencies, boards, departments, and commissions in order to keep a more accurate and relevant public record of Asian-American populations in New York.

Legislation A.1451-A/A.6215 requires the New York State Office of Technology Services to advise all state agencies in the implementation of language translation technology. This will ensure agency websites are translatable into the most common non-English languages spoken by New Yorkers.

Legislation S.1451-A/A.191 requires a health equity assessment to be filed with an application for any project that will affect a hospital's health care services.

Legislation S.4316/A.4572 expands the list of diseases and conditions for which a newborn can be screened. Adrenoleukodystrophy and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, conditions that are predominantly found in newborns from the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia, will be added to the list of required conditions that all newborns are screened for.

MAYOR DE BLASIO APPOINTS 1 JUDGE TO FAMILY COURT, 4 JUDGES TO CRIMINAL COURT, 7 JUDGES TO CIVIL COURT

 

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced 1 appointment to Family Court, 4 appointments to Criminal Court, and 7 appointments to Civil Court. 

“These judges have evidenced their commitment and sharpness by managing some of the most difficult cases our city has ever seen. I am proud to appoint these individuals who have fought for fairness and equity at every step of their career,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I have no doubt they will continue to do what they have always done: dedicate their careers to making our city, state, and nation more fair and just.”

 

Family, Criminal, and Civil Court are part of the New York State Unified Court System. Family Court judges hear cases related to adoption, foster care and guardianship, custody and visitation, domestic violence, abused or neglected children, and juvenile delinquency. The City’s Criminal Court handles misdemeanor cases and lesser offenses and conducts arraignments. One of the judges newly appointed to Civil Court will be presiding in Family Court. Six judges newly appointed to Civil Court are expected to preside in Criminal Court.

 

The Mayor appointed the following judge to Family Court:

 

Judge Jonathan H. Shim was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in February 2018 and has been serving in Family Court.  Judge Shim began his legal career as an associate at several firms and started his own practice in family and matrimonial law which he maintained for nine and a half years, prior to his appointment to the bench. He is a graduate of SUNY at Albany and received his law degree from Albany Law School.

 

The Mayor appointed the following judges to Criminal Court:

 

Judge Giyang An formerly served with the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office in the Criminal Court, Intake, and Narcotics Bureaus, and the Gun Readiness Unit of the Trial Bureau. She most recently served as an Assistant Attorney General with the Office of the New York State Attorney General in the Torts Section of the Claims Bureau, Division of State Counsel. She also teaches as an Adjunct Professor of Law, Lawyering, and Legal Writing at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University. She is a graduate of the University of California, Irvine and received her J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University.

 

Judge Carolina Holderness began her legal career as Law Clerk to the Honorable Lawrence M. McKenna in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York. She subsequently joined the New York County District Attorney’s Office and has served in various capacities for the last 14 years, including as Criminal Court Supervisor, Chief of the Human Trafficking Response Unit of the Special Victims Bureau and most recently, prior to her appointment, as the Deputy Chief of the Special Victims Bureau. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received her J.D. from Columbia Law School. Ms. Holderness’s appointment will be effective at the end of this month.

 

Judge Biju J. Koshy formerly served with the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office in the Criminal Court and General Crimes Bureaus. He went on to serve in the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office as a Supervisor, then Deputy Chief of the Criminal Court Bureau before joining the New York State Unified Court System as a Senior Court Attorney to a Criminal Court judge. He subsequently opened his own practice in Richmond County handling felony and misdemeanor cases, as well as serving as a court evaluator and appointed counsel on Guardianship cases in Supreme Court. He is a graduate of Pace University and received his J.D. from Seton Hall Law School.

 

Judge Melissa T. Lewis began her legal career with the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office where she remained for 14 years serving in the District Court Misdemeanor Trial Bureau, County Court Felony Trial Bureau, and Major Offense Bureau. She last served as a Deputy Bureau Chief of the County Court Felony Trial Bureau and as Director of Recruitment.  Prior to her appointment to the bench, she served with the New York State Unified Court System as Deputy Chief of Staff to former Deputy Chief Administrative Judge George J. Silver. She is a graduate of St. John’s University and received her law degree from New York Law School.

 

The Mayor appointed the following judges to Civil Court:  

 

Judge Anthony M. Battisti was a former Queens County Assistant District Attorney for four years assigned to the Intake, Criminal Court, Grand Jury, and Supreme Court Bureaus. He subsequently entered into a law partnership and shortly thereafter started his own practice. He was a private practitioner in Queens for over 27 years specializing in criminal defense. Judge Battisti received both his undergraduate and his law degree from St. John’s University. Judge Battisti is appointed to Civil Court and is expected to be assigned to Criminal Court.

 

Judge Diego A. Freire formerly served with The Legal Aid Society, Criminal Defense Practice in Queens County for 14 years. He was most recently Senior Staff Attorney and Adolescent Intervention and Diversion Attorney prior to his appointment to the bench. Judge Freire is a graduate of Queens College and received his law degree from Temple University, Beasley School of Law. Judge Freire is appointed to Civil Court and is expected to be assigned to Criminal Court.

 

Judge Simiyon S. Haniff began his legal career with the Queens County District Attorney’s Office serving in the Intake, Domestic Violence, Appeals and Trial Bureaus. After two partnerships, he opened his own practice which he maintained for seven and a half years. He returned to the Queens County District Attorney’s Office serving most recently as Supervising Attorney of the Criminal Court Bureau’s Part AP-2. He is a graduate of St. John’s University and Brooklyn Law School. Judge Haniff is appointed to Civil Court and is expected to be assigned to Criminal Court.

 

Judge Marty J. Lentz was a former Law Clerk in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia in Washington, D.C. She went on to serve with The Legal Aid Society for the last 18 years as a Staff Attorney assigned to the Brooklyn Criminal Defense Practice, Misdemeanor Brooklyn Treatment Court, and most recently at the Red Hook Community Justice Center. She is a graduate of Loyola University in Chicago and received her J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. Judge Lentz is appointed to Civil Court and is expected to be assigned to Criminal Court.

 

Judge Srividya Pappachan began her legal career as a Staff Attorney with The Legal Aid Society, Criminal Defense Practice where she remained for over nine years. She thereafter became Court Attorney to the Honorable Josh E. Hanshaft, New York County Criminal Court and briefly in Kings County Family Court. Judge Pappachan is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts – Amherst and received her law degree from Hofstra University School of Law. Judge Pappachan is appointed to Civil Court and is expected to be assigned to Criminal Court.

 

Judge Rachel S. Pauley was a former Kings County Assistant District Attorney and a Principal Court Attorney in Supreme Court, Criminal Term. She also served with the New York State Attorney General’s Office and the New York State Inspector General’s Office. Most recently, she was Director of Government Programs, Social Justice Initiatives and a Lecturer-in-Law at Columbia Law School. She received her dual bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Columbia University’s Barnard College and School of International and Public Affairs, and her J.D. from Fordham University School of Law. Judge Pauley is appointed to Civil Court and is expected to be assigned to Criminal Court.

 

Judge Stephanie Schwartz began her legal career with The Legal Aid Society, Criminal Defense Practice and later served with the New York City Administration for Children’s Services in New York and Bronx Counties for over nine years. Prior to her appointment to the bench, she was a Court Attorney-Referee in New York County Family Court for five years. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Madison and received her law degree from CUNY School of Law. Judge Schwartz is appointed to Civil Court and will be assigned to Family Court.

 

New York State Reminds Snowmobilers to Ride Safely

 

Snowmobile Safety Courses Remain Available

Sledders Reminded To Use COVID-19 Safety Measures at Trailheads, During Breaks

 As the snowmobiling season begins, New York State urges riders to keep safety in mind, both when operating on trails and during any breaks with fellow riders.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, snowmobile safety courses continue to be offered, with more than 100 registered classes available. An online list of open classes can be found here. Successful completion of this course results in the issuance of a NYS Snowmobile Safety Certificate.

This certificate is required for youth between ages 10 and 18 to operate a snowmobile, but all riders can benefit from a course that provides fundamental information which everyone needs to ensure the safety of both rider and other trail users.

State Park Police, State Troopers, Environmental Conservation Police Officers, Forest Rangers, and local enforcement agencies enforce State Laws on snowmobile trails, including instances of unsafe or reckless operation, speed limits including the state's maximum speed of 55 MPH, and operating while intoxicated.

Those rules apply on all local and club trails, as well as the Statewide Trail System, which traverses 45 counties and includes lands under the jurisdiction of state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), New York State Canal Corporation, local governments, and many private landowners.

"Park Police are here to remind snowmobilers, especially those that may be new to the sport, of safe operating practices, and that reckless operation, speeding and operating while impaired or intoxicated present significant and serious risks to all trail users. Rules will be strictly enforced by law enforcement," said Acting Assistant Director of Law Enforcement Major Michael Pavelock. "While outside riding is a safe activity during this pandemic, snowmobilers should be aware that for off-trail visits to restaurants and other establishments, the new COVID-19 safety protocols announced by Governor Hochul require that masks are required to be worn in all indoor public places unless the business or venue implements a proof of vaccine requirement.”

A Park Police snowmobile safety video is available here.

State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen said, “Soon winter sports season will be in full swing and we want snowmobile enthusiasts to take advantage of the beautiful trails in our great state. However, every winter there are needless tragedies and a wake of victims left behind because of the decisions made by impaired drivers. There is no excuse for operating any motorized vehicle or device while impaired whether it be a vehicle, snowmobile, boat, or ATV. By making responsible and safe choices, New Yorkers can do their part to keep our trails safe and enjoyable for all this winter.”

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "Each year, snowmobile enthusiasts visit New York’s thousands of miles of trails statewide to enjoy this popular winter activity in the great outdoors. I join our partners at State Parks and the New York State Police in reminding riders to ride responsibly and safely by taking the proper precautions and never getting on a snowmobile impaired by alcohol or drugs. Even experienced riders can benefit from taking a snowmobile safety course to protect themselves and others, especially on remote, backcountry trails that are generally narrower than trails on private lands.”

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) reminds New Yorkers to register their snowmobiles before hitting the trails. Snowmobile registrations must be renewed annually and may be renewed online on the DMV website.

DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder said, “For those taking advantage of New York’s beautiful trails, I hope you have a safe and fun season. As a reminder, when operating a snowmobile in New York, you are legally required to wear a helmet and to never operate a snowmobile while impaired.”

Recommendations for safe riding include:

• Prior to starting your ride, check over the snowmobile to make sure it is in good working order and carry emergency supplies.
• Always wear a DOT- or SNELL-approved helmet and make sure to wear the proper snowmobile gear including bibs, jackets, boots, and gloves.
• Always ride with a buddy or at least one other person.
• Ride responsibly and within your abilities.
• Always ride to the right side of the trail especially at hill crests and curves.
• Operate at a speed which is safe and prudent for the given conditions.
• Respect landowners, obey posted signs, and stay on the marked trail.
• Frozen bodies of water are not designated trails. If planning to ride on ice, proceed with caution and be aware of potential hazards under the snow. Consider wearing a snowmobile suit with flotation built-in and carry a set of ice picks as a precaution.
• Never drink alcohol or use drugs and ride.

For more information on snowmobiling in New York, visit https://parks.ny.gov/recreation/snowmobiles.

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 individual parks, historic sites, recreational trails, and boat launches, which were visited by a record 78 million people in 2020. 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 parks.ny.gov, connect on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.