In The News

June, 2023

NY State Senator Tom O’Mara: “Step outdoors and grow the economy”

Wellsville Sun

The advocacy group Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) routinely highlights the economic impact of New York’s more than 200 state parks, dozens of historic sites, more than a thousand miles of hiking trails, and over 8,000 campsites (to say nothing of numerous boat launches, beaches, swimming pools, and nature centers). PTNY has estimated that the state parks and trails system supports approximately 54,000 jobs and generates upwards of $5 billion in park and visitor spending – which means each dollar of state investment is supporting a return of an estimated nine dollars in consumer spending.

Bike tour of the Hudson Valley celebrates the region

Albany Times Union

A seven-day, 200-mile ride from Troy to NYC includes stops at historic sites and culinary gems. New York’s Empire Trail is the largest multiuse trail in the United States and from July 30 through Aug. 5, the Hudson Valley section will host 300 riders on a seven-day, 200-mile cycle tour from Troy to New York City.

May, 2023

Governor Hochul Announces $1.8 Million in Grants Awarded to State Parks, Trails, Historic Sites and Public Lands Partner Organizations

Governor's Press Release

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $1.8 million in grants to support 28 not-for-profit organizations involved with stewardship of state parks, trails, historic sites and public lands, the highest amount awarded in the Park and Trail Partnership Grants program history. The grants support partner group efforts to raise private funds for capital projects, engage in maintenance and beautification projects, provide educational programming, and host special events that promote public use of the parks.

‘I Love My Park Day’ Volunteer Events Blanket NY This Weekend

I Love NY

5,000 all-age volunteers give back to the parks and public lands that nurtured New Yorkers through the pandemic. Parks & Trails New York, along with partners at the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (State Parks) and the Department of Environmental Conservation, are hosting I Love My Park Day, a statewide event to give back to our beloved outdoor spaces which welcomed nearly 80 million visitors in 2022.

I Love My Park Day cleanups set for Saturday

The Olean Times

Do you love your park? Show it some love on Saturday, state and nonprofit officials suggest. The annual I Love My Park cleanup and maintenance day is Saturday, Parts and Trails New York officials said, with projects planned locally at Allegany State Park, along the Genesee Valley Greenway, and along the Finger Lakes Trail in eastern Allegany County.

Volunteers needed across New York for 12th annual I Love My Park Day

WHCH Radio

ITHACA, N.Y. (WHCU) – There’s still time to volunteer for the 12th annual ‘I Love My Park Day.’ The state-wide event, sponsored by Parks & Trails New York in partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and local groups, seeks to clean and improve New York’s regional state parks, historic sites, and trails ahead of the summer season.

April, 2023

Minetto Clean Sweep For Earth Week

Oswego County Today

MINETTO – With Minetto participating in Earth Week, with a Canal Clean Sweep, members of Parks and Trails visited Minetto and took part in the Canal Clean Sweep riverside clean up.

12th Annual I Love My Park Day Coming Up

Yahoo News

Apr. 19—Registration is now open for the 12th annual I Love My Park Day, which will be held on Saturday, May 6 at state parks, historic sites and public lands all across New York state. The event, a partnership between Parks & Trails New York, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and the Department of Environmental Conservation, is the largest statewide volunteer event to enhance parks, historic sites and public lands and raise awareness and visibility to the state outdoor recreation assets and their needs.

Celebrate Earth Day and Everyday

Niagara Gazette

From Middleport to North Tonawanda, groups of all sizes are taking part in the annual Canal Clean Sweep initiative organized by the state Canal Corp. and Parks & Trails New York. If you’re reading this early enough, you can even take part. Generally speaking, cleanup events start at 9 a.m. For more information about any Clean Sweep gathering, visit www.ptny.org/events/canal-clean-sweep.

Canal Clean Sweep Participants Handle Little Falls

My Little Falls

On Saturday, members of the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Little Falls Rotary Club participated in the 18th annual Canal Clean Sweep. Canal Clean Sweep is an annual clean-up event held across the NYS Canal system and Canalway Trails. More than 140 Canal Clean Sweep events were scheduled across the 400-mile-long Canalway Trail system and the 524-mile-long Canal system, providing opportunities for thousands of residents to give back to their local communities and to show pride in one of New York’s most iconic cultural and recreational resources.

New report highlights popularity of Canalway Trails

The Saratogian

ALBANY, N.Y. — According to the newly released report “Who’s on the Trail 2022: Canalway Trail” from Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) and the New York State Canal Corporation (NYSCC), The Erie Canalway Trail and Champlain Canalway Trail are popular tourist spots.

March, 2023

New coordinator for Genesee Valley Trail Town Initiative

Olean Times Herald

The Friends of the Genesee Valley Greenway have announced that landscape architect Pauline Burnes has recently joined the Genesee Valley Trail Town Initiative as its trail town coordinator. The Trail Town Coordinator’s efforts are part of the Building a Genesee Valley Trail Town Network project that is supported with funding awarded to Friends of the Genesee Valley Greenway from the New York State Park and Trail Partnership Grants.

A Call For Volunteers For The 18th Annual Canal Clean Sweep

Oswego County Today

NEW YORK – Volunteers are encouraged to register today, as groups across New York State prepare for the 18th Canal Clean Sweep, to be held April 21-23, 2023. Canal Clean Sweep is an annual clean-up event held across the New York State Canal System and Canalway Trail.

Thursday Town Hall: Canal Clean Sweep

WGRZ--NBC Channel 2-Buffalo

PTNY's Executive Director, Paul Steely White, provides a preview of this year's Canal Clean Sweep--New York's largest Earth Day clean up event.

February, 2023

Area’s state parks help system set new attendance record

Rome Sentinel

ALBANY — Gov. Kathy Hochul announced late last week that annual attendance at state parks, historic sites, campgrounds and trails operated topped 79.5 million total visits in 2022, continuing a robust increase in attendance that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parks & Trails New York Incoming Executive Director Paul Steely White said the visitation numbers are “truly staggering.”

Governor Hochul Announces Record Attendance at New York State Parks for 2022

Governor's Press Release

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced annual attendance at state parks, historic sites, campgrounds and trails operated by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation saw a record 79.5 million visits in 2022.

January, 2023

Registration is Open for Cycle the Erie Canal 2023

Oswego County Today

ALBANY, NY – Registration is now open for Parks & Trails New York’s 25th annual Cycle the Erie Canal tour, an unforgettable opportunity to bike across New York State and take in the rich history of the legendary canal that transformed America.

Bike from Buffalo to Albany in Cycle the Erie Canal 2023

News10 ABC--Albany

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Registration is open for Parks & Trails New York’s 25th annual Cycle the Erie Canal Tour. The eight-day tour allows cyclists to bike across NYS from Buffalo to Albany taking in the history and canal that transformed America.

December, 2022

Parks & Trails New York Executive Director Robin Dropkin To Retire In 2023

Oswego County Today

ALBANY, NY – Parks & Trails New York announced the planned retirement in 2023 of its long- time Executive Director, and distinguished environmental advocate, Robin Dropkin.

November, 2022

Traffic safety advocates push for changes in Albany

Albany Times Union

ALBANY – A group of pedestrian and bicycle safety advocates gathered Friday afternoon in Academy Park to honor walkers and cyclists killed by motorists in the city since 2017. The event, organized by the Albany Bicycle Coalition, Walkable Albany and Parks & Trails New York, also served as a chance for the organizations to push for specific policies they would like to see the city and state adopt.