Founded in 1985 by a group of passionate park advocates who believed New York’s magnificent state park system merited its own advocacy group, PTNY’s purview quickly grew to include trails, outdoor recreation, active transportation, and bicycle and pedestrian issues.

Over its tenure, PTNY has successfully prevented the closure of over 100 sites during a critical budget crisis, championed the effort to close gaps in the Erie Canalway Trail, and developed the foundational concepts for the Empire State Trail (EST). Through grants and grassroots support, we’ve directed $10 million to community groups and engaged over one hundred thousand volunteers, ensuring cherished public spaces thrive. Today, these efforts contribute to the remarkable success of nearly 88 million park visits and nearly 10 million annual users on the nation-leading Empire State Trail.

PTNY leads the way in supporting communities participating in the outdoor recreation economy with its statewide Trail Towns program, highlights the amazing benefits of the Empire State Trail through its two fully-supported bike tours (Cycle the Hudson Valley and Cycle the Erie Canal), and is at the forefront of data collection and policy development to expand, maintain, and fund our greenways network.

PTNY is also at the vanguard of the state parks revolution, leading with our landmark 2006 report, Parks at a Turning Point, which drew attention to the dire capital backlog at state parks. The report and subsequent advocacy efforts have resulted in an unprecedented renaissance of our state park system, with record level capital investment over the last several years and an annual I Love My Park Day that engages thousands of volunteers statewide in improving and enhancing state parks and historic sites.

These accomplishments have delivered profound benefits statewide. New York’s public lands are economic powerhouses, with the state park system alone generating returns on par with the agricultural sector. Every $1 million invested yields $10 million in sales, $4 million in labor income, and $7 million in state GDP. Beyond economic impact, these lands are essential to New York’s climate strategies: safeguarding critical habitats, enhancing local resilience, and improving quality of life for millions.

As we celebrate 40 years of history, we look forward with purpose. After nearly $2 billion invested in revitalizing New York’s public lands, it is time to realize their full potential: making these spaces welcoming, inclusive, and accessible for all. Our vision is clear—foster vibrant communities that embrace and benefit from these shared treasures. Public lands are for everyone, and together, we can ensure they remain vital anchors of health, equity, and history for generations to come.