Since 1985, Parks & Trails New York has been the leading voice advocating for the protection, expansion, and stewardship of New York’s public lands. This vast natural legacy includes 325,000 acres of state parks and historic sites, over 5 million acres of forests and wetlands, and more than 2,000 miles of greenway and multi-use trails.

Working alongside members, coalitions, and grassroots partners, we’ve stopped the closure of 100 parks and historic sites during a fiscal crisis, helped close key gaps in the Erie Canalway Trail, directed over $10 million in grant funding to local groups, and mobilized 100,000+ volunteers–proving the power of community-led conservation.

These collective efforts have helped New York’s outdoor system thrive. Today, our state welcomes nearly 85 million park visits annually, and the Empire State Trail, the longest multi-use trail in the country, sees nearly 10 million users each year.