The Governor’s State of the State Address Reinforces the Role of Public Lands in Building Healthier, More Equitable Communities
Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) applauds Governor Hochul for placing New York’s parks, trails, and public lands at the center of her State of the State address and for advancing a vision that responds to record visitation, strengthens community connections, and expands access for all New Yorkers. At a time of continued growth in park use and uncertainty in federal leadership, the Governor’s proposals reflect New York’s commitment to investing in public lands as essential infrastructure for recreation, equity, climate resilience, and local economies.
The Governor’s announcement that construction will begin in 2026 on High Falls State Park, Rochester’s first state park, demonstrates a powerful commitment to equity and connectivity, transforming a former brownfield into a free, transit-connected public space linked to regional trail networks and the city’s downtown. The proposed revitalization of Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park also underscores the importance of reinvesting in urban parks that serve millions of visitors each year, prioritizing safety, ADA accessibility, and year-round community programming. Together, these initiatives recognize parks as vital neighborhood assets and gathering places, particularly in densely populated communities.
PTNY also welcomes the Governor’s vision to expand and unify Niagara Falls, Whirlpool, and Devil’s Hole State Parks, creating a seamless, world-class corridor of trails, overlooks, and historic sites. This effort will enhance visitor experiences, strengthen regional connectivity, and support longer tourism stays–further reinforcing the role of public lands as economic engines for local communities. Proposed updates to SEQRA classifications will also accelerate much-needed infrastructure projects, including parks, trails, and green infrastructure on previously disturbed land, helping ensure these investments move forward efficiently while maintaining environmental protections. This will be a key piece in allowing continued growth of New York’s greenway network and serve all New Yorkers with high quality, safe places to walk, bike, or roll separated from vehicle traffic.
As visitation to New York’s state parks continues to grow–reaching a record 88.3 million visitors in 2024–PTNY is encouraged by the Governor’s focus on programming and inclusive access. Expanding wellness and recreational activities, creating new pedestrian park entrances near schools, growing the Explorer Club Activity Book, and launching the These Lands Are for Everyone Initiative all signal a commitment to ensuring parks remain welcoming, engaging, and accessible to people of all abilities. The proposed New York State Parks Trades Corps further strengthens this vision by addressing workforce needs while restoring park infrastructure and creating meaningful career pathways for young New Yorkers.
As outlined in PTNY’s 2026 Advocacy Priorities, we look forward to working with the Governor and Legislature to build on this momentum through a budget that sustains strong capital investments, supports grassroots stewardship, expands local parks and greenways, and prioritizes accessibility, equity, and connectivity statewide. We look to build on this momentum in coming years, including achieving a $500 million Environmental Protection Fund commensurate with the scale of the state’s public land needs. With a new strategic plan and a growing, inclusive coalition of advocates, PTNY remains a committed partner in ensuring New York continues to lead the nation in creating a world-class, welcoming public lands system for the next century.
Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York said, “The Governor’s State of the State recognizes the growing role parks and trails play in daily life across the state as places that connect people, strengthen communities, and support local business. These proposals reflect the scale of opportunity before us, and continued investment–including moving toward a $500 million Environmental Protection Fund–will be essential to meet rising demand and ensure our public lands serve all New Yorkers well into the future.”