Elmer L. Smith Memorial Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Elmer L.


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Summary

Smith Memorial Park is a beautiful state park located in Broome County, New York. The park offers visitors a range of recreational activities, including hiking, fishing, and camping. It is named after Elmer L. Smith, a former New York State Senator who played a significant role in the creation of the park.

The park is home to many points of interest, including a picturesque lake, several hiking trails, and a playground for children. The lake is a popular spot for fishing and boating, and visitors can also rent kayaks and paddleboats to explore the water. The park is also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and a variety of bird species.

One interesting fact about the park is that it is located on the site of an old coal mine. Visitors can still see remnants of the mine, including old mine entrances and pieces of mining equipment.

The best time of year to visit Elmer L. Smith Memorial Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and sunny. The park is also beautiful in the fall, when the leaves change colors and the air becomes crisp.

Overall, Elmer L. Smith Memorial Park is a wonderful destination for anyone looking to enjoy the great outdoors in New York State. With its beautiful scenery and range of activities, it is sure to be a hit with visitors of all ages.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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