AMC Harriman Outdoor Center, Harriman State Park, New York.
New York, New York is the “city that never sleeps,” “the concrete jungle,” and so many more monikers that reflect urban hustle and bustle. City living is on the rise, and NYC is an iconic place to be.
Spending time in nature, according to Pew Trust, is a “key ingredient for mental health,” but can be difficult to access depending on where you live. Over 100 million Americans lack access to green spaces, with accessible parks and natural experiences disproportionately placed in predominately white, wealthy neighborhoods. Low-income neighborhoods have roughly 20% less green space than medium- and high- income neighborhoods, and their limited green spaces are five times more crowded. Natural spaces should be preserved and distributed equitably.
Luckily, a massive green space is closer to New York City than you may think.
Just 30 miles outside of Manhattan, about an hour by public transit, lies a forest oasis. It’s a place where you can get outside and reconnect with nature, and it’s where the first section of the Appalachian Trail was built.
Welcome to Harriman State Park.
Harriman State Park, New York.
The History of Harriman, the Appalachian Trail, and CHOC
Harriman State Park is New York’s second-largest state park at 45,000 acres. It includes over 200 miles of hiking trails and ample opportunities for biking, swimming, fishing, and boating. The state park has offered outdoor experiences for people of all ages and skill levels since 1910.
One of those outdoor experiences is the Appalachian Trail – the first section of the trail built. The AT was conceived by Benton MacKaye in 1921,and popularized when an article by him about the idea was republished in The New York Times. MacKaye, with the help of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, which manages and operates Harriman State Park today, built a trail from Bear Mountain to Arden, New York. The first section of the AT opened on October 7, 1923. The trail was expanded over the next 20 years, eventually stretching from Maine to Georgia. Today it’s estimated that over three million people hike segments of the Appalachian Trail each year.
With a segment of the AT so close to the city, Harriman is a draw for folks from all over. AMC opened the Corman Harriman Outdoor Center (CHOC) in Harriman State Park in 2016 with the intent to offer outdoor programming in a location close to New York City. Since then, it has hosted over 60,000 bed nights for families, friends, individuals, and groups of all kinds.
CHOC is a retreat from the city, with plenty of space for rest and exploration outdoors. But its proximity to the city isn’t only convenient – it’s also important. There’s science that tells us that getting outside helps us feel good.
Cabins at the AMC Harriman Outdoor Center.
Nature’s Impact on Mental Health
Americans currently spend an estimated 90% of their time indoors. This disconnect from the natural world can increase feelings of isolation, loneliness, and depression.
It’s also been shown that spending even fifteen minutes outside can improve mental health. Time in nature can significantly decrease stress levels and boost focus, mood, and self-esteem. That experience doesn’t have to be a heart-rate-spiking hike, either. Sitting in the forest or taking a gentle walk is just as effective.
It’s easier for some to get into nature than others. The average city dweller has to walk over a mile to reach a park or green space. The amount of preserved space in the lower 48 states has rapidly declined in the last 20 years. With that in mind, it’s more important than ever to eliminate barriers to accessing the outdoors so that everybody can experience the positive impacts of nature on mental health.
That’s where CHOC comes in. The camp is accessible to people living in NYC and beyond. You don’t need a car to get there – just take the train or bus to Harriman State Park, and an AMC shuttle can pick you up.
Getting outdoors doesn’t have to be a schlep. By facilitating outdoor experiences in a variety of places, AMC offers something for everyone, everywhere.
Breakneck Pond at the AMC Corman Harriman Outdoor Center, Harriman State Park, New York.