Bristol Beach State Park
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Bristol Beach State Park is a Template:Convert<ref name=RIoG_ParkStats/> undeveloped state park located on the Hudson River in the town of Saugerties in Ulster County, New York.<ref name=GNIS>Template:Cite GNIS</ref> The park was initially formed in 1967, and is managed by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission.<ref name=PPC/>
History
The core of Bristol Beach State Park occupies land formerly used as a brickyard during the 19th century. It was acquired by the town of Saugerties by deed; the town eventually transferred ownership to New York State.<ref name=DF_BBSP>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 1967, the then-Template:Convert property was transferred from the New York State Conservation Department to the Palisades Interstate Park Commission. The park was expanded in the 1990s to protect adjacent parcels that were being considered for development.<ref name=PPC/>
In 2013, the town of Saugerties proposed re-acquiring the park to promote its development, which they felt was being under-utilized by the state.<ref name=DF_BBSP/>
Description
Bristol Beach State Park covers Template:Convert<ref name=RIoG_ParkStats/> adjacent to the Hudson River and is largely undeveloped, with the exception of a small parking lot. Although there are no formal trails, a landing on the river is a popular spot for launching kayaks and fishing.<ref name=HVO_BBSP>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The northern portion of the park, known as Eve's Point, does include some basic amenities such as a gazebo and portable toilets.<ref name=Hudson_Swim>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Despite its name, the park does not include a developed beach and swimming is not permitted.<ref name=HVO_BBSP/> Steep banks, undesirable substrate, and shallow off-shore water depths were noted as barriers preventing future development of a beach at the property.<ref name=Hudson_Swim/>