May 20, 2024

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The inaugural Greenways Advocacy Summit, the premier gathering of statewide advocates dedicated to expanding New York’s network of multi-use trails, was a huge success! Nearly one hundred advocates, planners, business owners, and leaders joined us in Albany on Monday, May 20 at The Egg Performing Arts Center for a day designed to ignite enthusiasm and collaboration among stakeholders who play a key role in shaping the future of our greenway system.

The morning program featured insights from experts pioneering innovative initiatives and driving policies to enhance greenway development. In the afternoon, participants engaged in over forty legislative meetings to secure the Greenway Trails for a Green Future bill package and advocate for trail planning and construction funding in next year’s state budget.

May 20 Greenways Advocacy Summit Schedule

Location: Hart Lounge in the Egg Performing Arts Center at the Empire State Plaza

  • 9:00 - 9:30 AM: Registration
  • 9:30 AM: Morning Program
    • Welcome/Opening Remarks - Paul Steely White, Executive Director, PTNY
    • Why invest in New York’s Greenway Trails - facilitated by Dylan Carey, Director of Policy and Planning, PTNY
      • Noemi Waight, PhD, Associate Professor, University at Buffalo, STEMcyclists program
      • Alan Sorensen, Planning Commissioner, Orange County
      • Joe Nocella, 718 Outdoors
      • Jeff Olsen, re:Charge-e
    • New York's Leadership on Greenway Trails - Assemblymember Patricia Fahy, 109th District
    • About the Greenway Trails for a Green Future Legislative Package - Erica Schneider, Policy and Planning Manager, PTNY
    • Advocating for Trails – Talking Points, Lobbying Tips and Next Steps - Will Coté, Senior Director of Public Lands, PTNY
  • 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Lunch
  • 1:00 - 4:00 PM: Meetings with Legislators in the NYS Capitol and the Legislative Office Building

    • Premier Sponsor

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    Sponsors

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    More information on PTNY's Greenway Trails Advocacy Efforts

    • PTNY's Greenway Trails for a Green Future legislative package. This package of seven bills would improve trail user safety and the trail user experience, give municipalities the flexibility to use a wider range of funding sources to support greenway trail expansion and maintenance, and would unlock additional trail corridors for development and to improve network connectivity.
    • PTNY's new publication Trails Across New York: A Grassroots Guide to Developing Greenway Trails. This resource provides detailed information to support greenway trails development in communities around the state. The steps outlined in the guide provide a high-level overview of the various aspects of trail development from initial concept to construction, as well as how participation from a broad range of individuals, agencies, organizations, and landowners will factor in throughout the process.
    • PTNY's annual New York State Greenway Trails Progress Report. This report summarizes accomplishments and progress made on the goals and recommendations of the state’s Greenway Trails Plan through the end of 2022, including an update on continued improvements and enhancements to the Empire State Trail, funding achievements for Greenway Trails, updates on trail-related projects from around the state, and highlights on other accomplishments that advance the goals and recommendations of the Greenway Trails Plan.
    • The 2021 Statewide Greenway Trails Plan was developed following the passage of legislation championed by PTNY (A. 5035/S. 4416). The Statewide Greenway Trails Plan identifies seven key goals:Prioritize the development and expansion of greenway trails in underserved communities.
      • Collect and publish information to aid in the planning, development, and management of greenway trails.
      • Expand the Greenway Trails System to reach more New Yorkers in more areas.
      • Provide funding opportunities for the acquisition, planning, development, and maintenance of greenway trails.
      • Foster greater collaboration between agency & stakeholder partners to advance greenway trails in New York.
      • Promote the Greenway Trails System as a destination for tourism, healthy recreation, and active lifestyles.
      • Enhance bicycle and pedestrian transportation options by connecting greenway trails and communities.
      The plan also includes a GIS inventory of existing, planned, and proposed greenway trails across the state.