It's hard to beat a relaxing day at the park. They're opening for the summer in Chenango and Chemung Counties.
At Dorchester Park in Broome County, Matthew Francis Gawors, Director of Parks, Recreation & Youth Services, is preparing for his first summer heading the department.
Up until the fall, he'd planned to focus on his store, Confluence Running.
"I was like, I'm all in with Confluence, then [County Executive Jason Garnar] gave me a call and said, 'Hey, I think you'd be a great fit for this.' What do you say when the new county executive tells you, 'Hey do you wanna do this?'" said Gawors. "It wasn't on my radar, but it's been great."
He trained for a few years as a professional triathlete. True to his past, he's organizing a triathlon at Dorchester this summer. Plus, he's planning a mountain bike race and movies in the park, among other events.
Camping starts this weekend; most activities start Memorial Day weekend. Garnar says he hopes the events will draw young professionals.