PARKS AT A TURNING POINT
Landmark state park report released today
Parks & Trails New York today released Parks at a Turning Point – Restoring and Enhancing New York’s State Park System. The report details the consequences caused by years of underfunding and deferred maintenance.
“For generations, New Yorkers have treasured their state parks. They are our crown jewels. Many of us have fond memories of afternoons spent picnicking or swimming with our families at these special places,” said Jeffrey P. Swain, chairman of Parks & Trails New York. “But the fact is that New York must now increase public investment in our parks to ensure that our children and grandchildren can have similar experiences in the future.”
“This is the optimum time for us to release this report,” Swain continued. “Our state parks are underfunded and face increasing demands for resources and stewardship. It’s time to put our park system on the agenda of both Governor-elect Eliot Spitzer and the new state Legislature.”
Read the full press release. Read the report.
HEALTHY TRAILS, HEALTHY PEOPLE
November 17 - Deadline to apply for help with trail planning and development
Need help getting a trail project started or a trails advocacy group formed? Want to get a stalled project moving? Parks & Trails New York may be able to offer assistance through its 
Healthy Trails, Healthy People program. As part of the program, funded in part by the Healthy Heart Program of the New York State Department of Health, Parks & Trails New York staff will provide technical and planning assistance, present workshops, and offer organizational support. Already Parks & Trails New York is working with fifteen communities across the state.
Applications for assistance beginning in 2007 are being accepted until November 17, 2006. Level of community interest, partnership possibilities, and opportunities to increase physical activity levels will be considered in selection. It is advisable for potential applicants to email Parks & Trails New York or telephone 518-434-1583 to discuss their application before the submission deadline.
North Country trail receives $.5 million TEA grant
The Town of Peru was recently awarded $524,745 from the Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP) for the development of 
a bicycle and pedestrian trail along the Little Ausable River.
According to Adele Douglas, a Peru resident who has been instrumental in the town's effort to develop a community trail, “This grant brings us a significant step closer to the reality of having a trail that kids can use to get to our parks and parents can use to exercise away from motor vehicle traffic.”
In 2004, Parks & Trails New York selected Peru as a Healthy Trails Healthy People community. “During the TEP application process, we provided Peru with support including cost estimation and facility design. Receiving this grant is a significant boost to this community's efforts to provide residents with greater opportunities for healthy and alternative transp
ortation. We are very excited for Peru” commented Kevin Prickett, Project Director for Parks and Trails New York.
TEP is a federal reimbursement program of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). TEP is administered by the NYS Department of Transportation (NYSDOT).
Chittenango Creek Walk awarded grants from legislators and Trout Unlimited
Grants from local legislators and Trout Unlimited have provided a major boost for the Chittenango Creek Walk Committee's efforts to develop an accessible network of trails within the village of 
Chittenango in central NY. The funding was recently announced at a well-attended Community Trails Workshop, organized by the Committee to gather public input on their plans for a village trail system. Senator David Valesky attended the workshop to meet with residents and announce that he had granted the project a $3,000 member item. Representatives of the Madison County Chapter of Trout Unlimited were on hand as well to present a check for $500 and promise to construct an accessible fishing platform along the banks of Chittenango Creek. At the meeting, Mayor Robert Freunscht also announced that Assemblyman Magee will provide the project with a $5,000 grant.
As part of its Healthy Trails, Healthy People program, 
Parks and Trails New York has been advising the Chittenango Creek Walk Committee as it seeks to develop 3.3-miles of trail connecting neighborhoods, parks, the business district, and the Canalway Trail. Already the Village Department of Public Works and volunteers have completed much of the initial clearing, debris removal, and rough grading of the trail corridor along the banks of Chittenango Creek, a registered and stocked trout stream. The Village of Chittenango will soon be adding a Creek Walk page to its website, but in the interim, the committee can be reached via email.
Rochester area trail receives national funding
The Robert Moody Trail, located in the Town of Gorham in Ontario County, came one step closer to completion with the recent announcement of a $5,000 grant from the Rails to Trails Conservancy and the Coca-Cola Corporation. Parks & Trails New York nominated the trail to receive this funding. Local government officials and citizens have been working for several years to turn the 1.1-mile former Lehigh Valley Railroad corridor, which is one of Parks and Trails New Yorks's Healthy Trails, Healthy People communities, into a recreational trail for residents of the rural Village of Rushville and Town of Gorham.
This summer Coca-Cola North America d
onated $500,000 to the Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC) for grants to catalyze trail development and maintenance. RTC chose to direct the money to trails needing that final push to realize completion. The Moody Trail grant is only one of 13 awarded by RTC throughout the nation. “We hope this seed money will help leverage additional funding for this project,” said Tom Sexton, Director of the Northeast Region of the Rails to Trails Conservancy.
The Coca-Cola grant follows a $50,000 grant for bridge repairs that the Town of Gorham and Village of Rushville received from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) in August 2006. As the EPF funding is a matching grant, the Coca-Cola award will be an important part of the town's efforts to raise the additional funds.
2007 Statewide trails and greenways conference September 28 and 29
Parks & Trails New York will host its statewide trails and greenways conference, Friday, September 28 and Saturday, September 29, 2007, on the campus of Monroe Community College in Rochester. The conference, entitled Healthy Trails, Healthy Communities, will emphasize the important contribution that trails can make to the quality of life and environmental and economic health of New York's communities. The field trips and program will provide multiple opportunities for greenway and trail advocates to share their experiences and learn from recognized leaders in the field. This is the only conference of its kind held in our state.
Call for suggestions for workshop topics and presentations
Parks & Trails New York is seeking suggestions for topics and presentations that will address important issues and showcase a number of the state's many successful trail projects. To suggest conference topics or present a proposal for a talk or panel discussion, contact Parks & Trails New York.
Nominations sought for statewide Greenway & Trail Awards
Parks & Trails New York is seeking nominations for its 2007 Greenway and Community Trail Awards which will be presented at the 2007 Healthy Trails Healthy Communities Conference in Rochester NY.
- Public Leadership
- Volunteer Service
- Corporate Partnership
- Healthy Trails, Healthy People
- Outside the Box
The first three awards recognize contributions to planning, design, construction, management, promotion, and/or public involvement for a trail project or program. The Healthy Trails, Healthy People Award recognizes efforts to promote active community environments and improve universal access to trails. The more open-ended Outside the Box Award recognizes unique greenway efforts that demonstrate ingenuity and creativity. Visit the Parks & Trails New York website for full award category descriptions and a list of 2005 winners. Nominations must be postmarked, e-mailed, or faxed to Parks & Trails New York by August 3, 2007.
HEARD ON THE TRAIL
“Making trails that are enjoyable and safe is appreciated by many. However, one person cannot make this happen. Success is in bringing together various groups. Diversity in interests working together provides a diversity of solutions.”
-Sharon Bryant-Heyboer, Bike-Pedestrian Coordinator for the Herkimer - Oneida Counties Transportation Study and chair of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Quality Communities Grants available for community planning efforts
Lieutenant Governor Mary O. Donohue has announced the availability of $3 million in Environmental Protection Funds for the Quality Communities Grant Program. Grants will provide up to 80% of costs to assist with planning efforts to: encourage community growth, improve community centers, promote intermunicipal growth, enhance mountain communities, preserve open space and more. Eligible applicants are counties, cities, towns, villages, Indian-tribes/nations, local public authorities, public benefit corporations, and not-for-profits (under certain circumstances). Deadline for receipt of applications is November 17, 2006 by 4:00 p.m. For more information, call: 518-473-3355, or contact the Quallity Communities Initiative.
Hudson River Valley Greenway Conservancy Small Grants Program offers opportunities to enhance recreational trails
The Hudson Valley River Greenway announces availability of $75,000 in small grants assistance for trail planning, design, construction and rehabilitation, education and interpretation. This annual program offers technical and financial assistance to municipalities and not-for-profit organizations within the designated Hudson River Valley Greenway area. Emphasis is placed on trail projects that seek to implement the goals of the Draft Greenway Trail Vision Plan, fill in identified gaps in the Greenway Trail System, and make improvements to currently designated Greenway Trails. Applications are available online or may be requested by calling the Greenway at (518) 473-3835. Applications must be postmarked or hand delivered by December 15, 2006.
Waste Management, Inc. Charitable Giving Program aids communities and the environment
Through its Charitable Giving Program, Waste Management, Inc., supports programs that preserve and/or enhance natural
resources, provide environmental education, or make communities cleaner and better places to live. Applications for financial or in-kind donations are accepted year round and are reviewed on a continuous basis.
Hamburger Helper announces grant program for local communities
Hamburger Helper is funding initiatives to help hometowns across America. From September 1, 2006 through May 31, 2007, Hamburger Helper is giving away up to $15,000 to selected applicants each month. All 
requests must be sponsored by a municipal or civic organization or public school. Awards will be based on the merit of the project, including its impact and support within the community.
