India, July 16 -- A dramatic transformation of a former industrial quarry is set to reach a milestone this weekend as the Lake Sophia swimming area officially opens to the public at Sojourner Truth State Park. The debut on Friday, July 17, brings a new aquatic destination to the Hudson Valley, offering residents and visitors a unique, spring-fed swimming experience in the heart of Kingston.

The opening marks the first addition of a new swimming facility to the New York State Parks system in more than 20 years. Located on the western side of the 508-acre park, the site features striking turquoise waters once utilised for industrial mining. The project is a centrepiece of the state's broader "NY SWIMS" initiative, which seeks to expand pub...