Lake Sophia Opens as a Powerful New Hudson Valley Swim Destination
New York’s first new state park swimming facility in more than 20 years brings accessible recreation, history and climate relief to the Kingston area.
Families in the Hudson Valley have a major new place to cool off this summer. Lake Sophia at Sojourner Truth State Park is now open with spring-fed swimming areas, accessible water entry, lifeguards and a modern bathhouse. State officials say the facility can serve hundreds of visitors each day, making it both a recreation destination and a public investment in healthier, more climate-ready communities.
View official Lake Sophia photographs from New York State Parks
Lake Sophia Brings Public Swimming Back to a Former Quarry
Lake Sophia is located on the western side of Sojourner Truth State Park in Ulster County. Its striking turquoise water comes from a spring-fed former quarry.
The new facility is the first swimming area added to the New York State Parks system in more than 20 years. The previous new state park swimming facility was Sandy Island Beach, which opened in 2005, according to the governor’s earlier announcement about the project.
The designated swimming areas include:
- A 12,000-square-foot swimming section designed for general use and people learning to swim
- An in-water accessibility ramp and ADA-compliant gangway
- A separate 16,000-square-foot guarded deep-water area
- Public restrooms and showers
- A first aid station
- Dedicated facilities for lifeguards
The swimming area is larger than two Olympic-size swimming pools, according to the state’s announcement. It is expected to accommodate hundreds of swimmers on busy summer days.
The state says the swim facility will operate daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Labor Day weekend. Visitors should confirm current hours, water conditions and possible closures with New York State Parks before traveling.
Accessibility Was Built Into the Lake Sophia Design
One of Lake Sophia’s most important features is its focus on accessibility.
Public outdoor spaces often create barriers for people with mobility challenges. Steep banks, rough paths and narrow entry points can make natural swimming areas difficult or impossible to use.
Lake Sophia was designed differently.
The in-pool ramp and ADA-compliant gangway give more visitors a practical way to enter the water. The shallower swimming section also creates a more welcoming setting for beginners, families and people who may not be comfortable in deep water.
New York State Parks Commissioner Kathy Moser said the facility was designed “with accessibility, safety and community in mind.”
That design choice matters because equitable recreation requires more than simply opening land to the public. It also requires facilities that people of different ages and abilities can safely use.
A New Place to Find Relief From Summer Heat
The opening comes as communities across New York look for more ways to protect residents during periods of extreme summer heat.
Public swimming sites can play an important role. They give families a place to cool down, exercise and spend time outdoors without paying for a private pool or club membership.
“Lake Sophia is an important and affordable recreation resource that will help New York families stay cool and active during the summer months,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in announcing the facility’s completion.
The project is part of the state’s NY SWIMS initiative, which seeks to expand access to swimming and reduce gaps in recreational opportunities.
Supporters say the facility is especially important because communities with lower incomes often have fewer safe and affordable places to swim.
State documents say about half of Sojourner Truth State Park lies within an area classified as low-to-moderate income by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The state also reported that 17.9 percent of residents in the surrounding ZIP code live below the federal poverty threshold.
Those figures help explain why the project is about more than tourism. It is also about making public recreation available to nearby residents who may have limited summer options.
Why Is the Swimming Area Named Lake Sophia?
Lake Sophia is named for Sophia, the daughter of abolitionist and women’s rights advocate Sojourner Truth.
Truth was born Isabella Baumfree while enslaved in Ulster County. She later escaped slavery with her young daughter and became one of the country’s most influential voices for abolition, women’s rights and human dignity.
The naming of the lake recognizes a deeply personal part of that history.
Barbara Allen, a sixth-generation descendant of Sojourner Truth, said Sophia’s story represents her ancestor’s “courage and devotion to family.”
“When Sojourner Truth risked everything to walk away from slavery with her daughter, she secured the future of generations, including my own,” Allen said.
Naming the lake for Sophia gives visitors an opportunity to learn about the family behind the historic figure. It also connects recreation, local history and public remembrance in one shared space.
Sojourner Truth State Park Is Still Growing
Sojourner Truth State Park is the first state park located in the City of Kingston. The property also extends into the Town of Ulster.
The park covers more than 500 acres of former industrial land along the Hudson River. Its landscape includes old quarry areas, brickmaking ruins, woods, wetlands, cliffs and ridgelines.
Visitors can also use the paved Hudson River Brickyard Trail, which is part of the Empire State Trail. New York State Parks lists biking and hiking among the park’s existing activities.
Additional improvements are underway, including:
- A new entrance from Route 32
- More hiking trails
- Restored historic structures
- Community gathering spaces
- Maintenance facilities
- Administrative buildings
- Additional visitor amenities
The broader development is expected to be completed in 2027, according to the state announcement.
Because construction and access conditions may change, visitors should review current park alerts before arriving.
The Project Represents a Major Public Investment
Much of the work at Sojourner Truth State Park is being supported through New York’s Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act.
New York voters approved the $4.2 billion Bond Act in November 2022. The program supports projects involving water quality, climate resilience, pollution reduction, open space and green jobs.
The state says Bond Act investments at Sojourner Truth State Park total $68.1 million. Another $7.5 million is being provided through the State Parks capital fund.
That brings the identified public investment to $75.6 million.
Supporters see the spending as a long-term investment in public access, environmental restoration and neighborhood health. Critics of major public projects may reasonably question costs, maintenance needs and whether expected benefits will reach local residents.
Those questions deserve continued attention.
Public agencies should report clearly on construction costs, attendance, water safety, maintenance and community access. A public recreation project is most successful when residents can see how the money was spent and how the facility is serving the community.
What Visitors Should Know Before Going
People planning a trip to Lake Sophia should prepare as they would for any state park swimming area.
Before leaving home
- Check the official New York State Parks website for alerts.
- Confirm swimming hours and lifeguard availability.
- Review parking and entrance information.
- Bring water, sunscreen and appropriate swimming gear.
- Follow posted rules and remain inside designated swim zones.
Swimming may be restricted because of weather, staffing, water conditions or other safety concerns.
The larger park is generally open from dawn to dusk, although access to specific areas can change during construction.
Lake Sophia Connects Recreation, Equity and History
Lake Sophia gives Kingston-area residents something practical: a safe public place to swim during hot summer days.
But the project also carries a larger meaning.
It transforms part of a former industrial quarry into a public space. It expands accessible recreation. It honors Sophia and Sojourner Truth. It also asks New Yorkers to view parks as essential community infrastructure rather than optional luxuries.
The true measure of the project will be whether local families can use it safely, affordably and consistently for years to come.
Residents planning a visit should check current park conditions, respect lifeguard instructions and take time to learn the history behind the lake’s name.
See the complete official Lake Sophia photo collection
Sources
- Office of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, announcement of the Lake Sophia swimming facility’s completion
- New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
- Governor’s July 18, 2025, Sojourner Truth State Park groundbreaking announcement
- Official New York State Parks Lake Sophia photo gallery
