HEALTHY TRAILS, HEALTHY PEOPLE

Need Help with a Trail Project?

Apply for 2008 Technical Assistance from Parks & Trails New York

Applications for technical assisantace through our Healthy Trails, Healthy People program are now being accepted until January 11, 2008. Parks & Trails New York staff provide technical and planning assistance, present workshops, and offer organizational support to help communities develop trails. Community organizations and local governments are encouraged to apply. Prior to submitting an application contact Parks & Trails New York or call (518) 434-1583. Selection for this technical assistance program is based on the level of community interest, partnership possibilities, and opportunities to increase physical activity levels.

Campaign for Parks

State Budget Hearing Held October 30

The NYS Division of Budget conducted a public hearing October 30 on capital funding for State Parks. Judith Enck, Deputy Secretary to the Governor for the Environment, set the stage with an overview of how parks and historic preservation issues fit into Governor Spitzer's statewide priorities and initiatives. Then, Parks Commissioner Carol Ash eloquently made the case for a five-year capital plan for parks of between $600 and $650 million. Robin Dropkin, Parks & Trails New York Executive Director, provided testimony on the need to make essential investments in our magnificent park system and end the decades of underfunding for capital and repairs. You can read all the remarks from the hearing on the DOB website, view Commissioner Ash's presentation, and even watch the webcast!

Statewide Conference Inspires Trail Advocates

More than 175 trail advocates from throughout the state came together in late September to network with friends old and new, recharge their batteries, and gather many new ideas to take home to their communities during Parks & Trails New York's two-day Healthy Trails, Healthy Communities conference. Those that missed this great event can view photos and most of the power point presentations, and download handouts from keynote addresses by Canal Corporation Director Carmella Mantello and well known New England trails advocate Craig Della Penna as well as nine different workshops on subjects such as creating trail networks; designing, constructing, and funding trails; quantifying the benefits of trails; and ensuring the long-term viability of trails and trail organizations.

Trail Heroes Honored with 2007 Greenway and Community Trail Awards

Parks & Trails New York recently honored the individuals and organizations who are the driving forces behind many of New York's trails by presenting its 2007 Volunteer Service; Public Leadership; Corporate Partnership; Healthy Trails, Healthy People; and Outside the Box Awards. Winners were announced at a special awards dinner held in conjunction with Parks & Trails New York 's statewide trails and greenway conference. Award Winners:

• Volunteer Service Award - Lisa Dyslin for the Northern Forest Canoe Trail
• Public Leadership Award - William Steinhaus, Dutchess County Executive, for Dutchess County trails
• Corporate Partnership Award - Town of Penfield Recreation Department and Wegmans for the Passport to Family Wellness Program;
• Healthy Trails, Healthy People Award - Town of Clifton Park Open Space, Trails, and Riverfront Committee for the Northern Loop Trail;
• Outside the Box Award – City of Rochester for the Genesee Riverway Trail;

Conference Idea Café Builds Agenda for Statewide Trails Coalition

Parks & Trails New York 's conference also played a critical role in setting a course for the newly launched Statewide Trails Coalition, a consortium of nonprofits and local governments who are joining together to raise a strong and unified voice for trails in New York. At the closing conference session, more than 75 persons came together to share cider and donuts and participate in an “Idea Café.” They talked about what a Coalition might do to address a variety of critical trail issues. The issues were recorded on flip charts by conference participants as well as submitted by the nearly 60 organizations and local governments who signed on to the Coalition prior to the conference.

Parks & Trails New York is processing this important feedback and will be actively communicating the results of the Idea Café and proposed next steps to all Coalition members and conference participants. Parks & Trails New York invites all trails supporters to join the Statewide Trails Coalition

OPRHP Acquires New Section of Harlem Valley Rail Trail

The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) has acquired 300 acres of park land in the Columbia County town of Copake that includes 1.1-miles of the former Harlem Division Railroad, which will be developed as part of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail. When complete, the Harlem Valley Rail Trail will extend 46-miles from the Dutchess County hamlet of Wassaic north to the Columbia County town of Chatham. Fifteen miles of the paved trail are currently open to the public and another 8 miles are under construction.

Road and Trail Intersection Safety Study

Parks & Trails New York Releases Stop, Watch, Walk! Video PSA and Rack Cards

Parks & Trails New York‘s "Stop! Watch! Walk!" public information campaign is designed to improve the safety of drivers and trail users at road and trail intersections. Recently, the Public Service Announcement (PSA), titled "I Saw the Sign," was distributed to television stations in all markets along the Erie Canal. The PSA, which depicts the tragic results of a driver-trail user collision, was produced by Lyons Junior-Senior High School students. The PSA can also be viewed on PTNY's website.

To spread the message of road and trail intersection safety, Parks & Trails New York is also distributing its multi-color Stop! Watch! Walk! rack cards at trail kiosks and other locations within Canalway Trail communities.

In October, Parks & Trails New York released its final report, Road and Trail Intersection Safety: An examination of present practice, recommendations for future actions. The report's recommendations will be used to guide Parks & Trails New York 's future road and trail intersection safety programming. Parks & Trails New York 's road and trail intersection safety program is funded in part by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with a grant from the New York State Governor's Traffic Safety Committee.

Chittenango Creek Walk Receives New Funding

The Village of Chittenango Creek Walk received a major boost with the award of nearly $37,000 from the Central New York Community Foundation.  Funding will be used for predevelopment and construction of the first phase of the project, with construction slated to begin in the spring of 2008. The Creek Walk Committee has also recently completed the design of an accessible fishing platform and the removal of debris from the northern section of the proposed trail.

The Committee was also awarded a $500 Healthy Trails, Healthy People mini-grant that will be used to purchase materials for the construction of an information kiosk at the trail entrance located at the center of the Village. As part of its Healthy Trails, Healthy People program, Parks and Trails New York has been advising the Creek Walk Committee as it seeks to develop 3.3-miles of trail connecting neighborhoods, parks, the business district, and the Erie Canalway Trail within the Madison County Village of Chittenango.

New York State Safe Routes to School Initiative Announced

On September 6th New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer launched New York State's $32.1 million Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Initiative. Established in 2005 as part of the SAFETEA-LU federal transportation act, SRTS is meant to make walking and bicycling to school a safe and routine activity. Safe Routes to School aims to facilitate the implementation of transportation projects that reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution, as well as provide for a safer environment for children to walk or bike to school. The program, which will be administered by NYS Department of Transportation, makes funding available for a wide variety of programs and projects, from building safer street crossings to establishing programs that encourage children and their parents to walk and bicycle safely to school. By law 70% to 90% of SRTS funding must be used for transportation infrastructure improvements located within a two-mile radius of an elementary or middle school. Funding applications, brochures, and a schedule of informational workshops, will soon be available from NYSDOT.

Trail Spotlight

Northern Loop Trail Connects Clifton Park's Natural and Recreational Areas

The Northern Loop Trail system within the Saratoga County Town of Clifton Park is designed to get people moving without using a car. Seven miles of paved, multi-use trail connects 10 communities and 3000 homes with two nature preserves and five parks that feature playgrounds, a swimming pool, and ball fields. Last year, the town broke ground to develop another section of trail that will bring the Northern Loop network to the central part of the town and connect the Clifton Park school campus to the town's business district.

The Northern Loop Trail network was a vision developed more than a decade ago by the Town of Clifton Park and William Mackesey who at the time was the secretary of the town's trail committee. Mackesey was recovering from a stroke and knew that providing more opportunities for people to be physically active would not only benefit him but everyone in the town.

At its September statewide conference, Parks & Trails New York recognized the Town of Clifton Park with its Healthy Trails, Healthy People award for steadily and creatively implementing the vision of a Northern Loop Trail that provides for large numbers of town residents to incorporate additional physical activity within their daily activities. Town Councilman Tom Paolucci and Open Space, Trails, and Riverfront Committee members Bill Mackesey and Jerry Burr accepted the award from Parks & Trails New York Board Chairman Jeff Swain.

Funding

Bikes Belong Grants

The Bikes Belong Grants Program strives to put more people on bicycles more often by funding important and influential projects that leverage federal funding and build momentum for bicycling in communities across the U.S. These projects include bike paths, lanes, and routes, as well as bike parks, mountain bike trails, BMX facilities, and large-scale bicycle advocacy initiatives.

Since 1999, Bikes Belong has awarded 150 grants to municipalities and grassroots groups in 42 states and the District of Columbia, investing more than $1.2 million in community bicycling projects and leveraging more than $450 million in federal, state, and private funding. Bikes Belong reviews applications on a quarterly cycle. Applications must be postmarked by November 26, 2007 , to be considered for the next round. Grants will be awarded on January 31, 2008.

Home Depot Offers Community Grants

Home Depot is currently offering funding to help create affordable housing and a greener environment through its CommUnity Impact Grants program. Non-profit organizations can apply for up to $3,000 to create parks, trails, playgrounds, and community meeting places. Applications may be submitted from November 1 through December 15.

Trail & Health Resources

Two new tools assess walkability

Two new tools are now available to help determine the walkability of your community. Walk Score, is a web-based tool that can be used to rank neighborhood desirability on a scale of 0-100 with 100 being a Walkers' Paradise. Walk Scores are determined by the proximity by foot to stores, restaurants, schools, businesses and parks. Or try the Pedestrian Environmental Data Scan (PEDS), a check list that can be used to assess roads or bike paths.

Thunderhead Alliance Releases 2007 Benchmarking Report

The Thunderhead Alliance recently released its 2007 Benchmarking Report on biking and walking in the US based on data collected from all 50 states and 50 of the nation's most populated cities. The report found that cycling and walking have been in decline since the 1960s while obesity in both children and adults continues to surge. The report also found major disparities between cycling and walking levels, traffic fatalities, and federal funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects. For example, bicycling and walking make up 9.6 percent of all trips. Yet, bicyclists and pedestrians represent 12.9 percent of all traffic-related fatalities, and only 1.5 percent of federal transportation dollars are spent on bicycling and walking projects.

Advocacy Agenda

First Hurdle Cleared for Land and Water Conservation Funding

For the first time in three years, the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee approved funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) state assistance program. Even better news is that the subcommittee recommended $50 million for 2008, a $20 million increase over the funded level of 2007 and 2006.  The President's proposed budget, released in February of this year, proposed zero funding for LWCF in the third consecutive year and planned to terminate the program. Advocates have been tireless in educating Members of Congress just how important this 50/50 matching grant program is in the development of close to home public recreation resources. This action by the House Interior Appropriations subcommittee is just the first step in a chain of actions to approve a final appropriations bill for 2008.

The stateside LWCF program is an important funding source for parks and close-to-home public recreation in New York State.

Transportation Secretary, Wall Street Journal criticize Bike Paths, Earmarks

Two weeks after the tragic collapse of the I-35 bridge in Minneapolis, Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters appeared on a PBS interview in which she listed bike paths, along with lighthouses and museums, as a waste of funding that should be spent on highway building and maintenance. Two weeks later Rupert Murdoch's Wall Street Journal posted an online editorial column blasting calls for a hike in gas prices, claiming that Minnesota representatives were more concerned with bike paths than the safety of their highway infrastructure.

Secretary Peters later clarified her statement in an October letter to cycling advocates in which she affirmed her support for bicycle and pedestrian facilities as part of a diverse investment in transportation. She added that the statements she made in the PBS interview were not an indictment of bicycle and pedestrian planning, but rather the politics that often shape transportation policy.

With a great deal of its construction begun in the 1950s, our national highway infrastructure is aging. Parks & Trails New York believes that the proper maintenance of highways is extremely important. However, in addition to funding highway maintenance we must also continue to expand bicycle and pedestrian facilities in our nation's transportation system.

To contact Transportation Secretary Peters, write to dot.comments@dot.gov. Letters to the editor of the Wall Street Journal can be mailed to newseditors@wsj.com.

Parks & Trails New York is a member of Earth Share of New York, an alliance of leading nonprofit environmental organizations. Please look for Parks & Trails New York and Earth Share in your workplace giving campaign brochure. For more information about giving through Earth Share, or to learn how you can help your office set up a workplace giving campaign with Earth Share of New York, check out Earth Share of New York´s web site, www.earthshareny.org. THANK YOU!!