In The News

April, 2018

State Park Investments Continue; Local Clean Up Days on the Horizon

Oswego County Today

It takes more than state funding, however, to have a great park. Local volunteer groups and individuals play a big part in annual cleanup efforts, for example, with the annual I Love My Park day. This year, I Love My Park Day will be held on May 5. Last year, more than 8,000 volunteers took part in more than 250 projects at 125 state parks, historic sites and public lands throughout the state.

Friends of Clark Reservation receive grant for Nature Center

Eagle News Online

The Council of Park Friends of Clark Reservation State Park has been awarded an $8,500 matching grant from the Park and Trail Partnership Program to improve the exhibits at the Clark Reservation Nature Center. The Friends group will have to raise an additional $1,500 in matching funds, for a total of $10,000 for the project.

March, 2018

Volunteers sought for ‘I Love My Park Day’ event at north country parks

Watertown Daily Times

HENDERSON — Volunteers are being sought for the upcoming “I Love My Park Day,” which is scheduled for May 5. North country parks taking part in the day include Westcott Beach State Park, Henderson, the Black River Trail in Watertown, and the Minna Anthony Common Nature Center at Wellesley Island State Park.

Letter: Trails bring health benefits, spur economic development

Buffalo News

An approving response from PTNY's Executive Director, Robin Dropkin, to an article acknowledging the preference of trails over other recreational infrastructure of Buffalo metro area residents.

Governor Cuomo Encourages New Yorkers To Sign Up For The Seventh Annual "I Love My Park" Day

LongIsland.com

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that registration is now open for the seventh annual I Love My Park Day, to be held on May 5, 2018 at state parks, historic sites and public lands across New York. The event, sponsored by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and Parks & Trails New York, is a statewide event to enhance parks, historic sites and public lands and raise awareness and visibility to the state outdoor recreation assets and their needs.

Friends of Letchworth awarded grant for CCC planning document

Livingston County News

The Friends of Letchworth State Park has received a grant from New York STate and Parks & Trails New York to help with ongoing efforts to preserve the Civilian Conservation Corps legacy in the park. The grant, for $12,530, will be used to fund a planning document and two architectural project reports that will allow the Friends group to more effectively manage and fund its CCC preservation projects, officials said.

Winona Forest Gets $19k State Grant

Watertown Daily Times

The Winona Forest Recreation Association will receive $19,082 for the rehabilitation of multi-use trails in the Winona State Forest, designed specifically to increase public access and significantly enhancing the users’ experience. The rehabilitation of the trails will attract new users, increase tourism dollars, while growing the local economy.

Friends Group Gets Grant for Wilton Event

The Saratogian

Friends of Grant Cottage has obtained a $19,500 state grant to help fund an organizer’s salary for a major Civil War encampment scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 11-12 on Ballard Road. U.S. Grant Cottage Civil War Weekend is one of many events planned in coordination with the Town of Wilton’s year-long bicentennial celebration in 2018.

State Awards Nearly $10,000 Grant to Johnson Hall

Fulton County Express

Friends of Johnson Hall have been awarded $9,905 for a historic floor cloth for the front hallway of the Johnson Hall State Historic Site. According to a release, the “painted carpet” is a reproduction that will help protect the original wooden floor from heavy wear by visitors and will complete the restoration of the decorative finishes on the first floor of the site. Funds will also be used to produce a detailed color booklet, postcards and a website update.

Friends of Thacher gets $4K from state to attract more members

Altamont Enterprise

The Friends of Thacher Park is looking for more members and just received $4,080 from the state to help with recruitment. The local grant was among $450,000 awarded to 21 organizations dedicated to the stewardship and promotion of New York State parks, historic sites, and public lands. This is the first time grants are being awarded to DEC Friends groups, according to a release from the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation.

Local groups receive Parks & Trails funding

Albany Times Union

Local groups are among the 21 receiving grants from New York state and Parks & Trails New York.

Finger Lakes sites receive grants

Rochester Business Journal

Four Finger Lakes parks and historic sites will receive grants from the state Parks & Trails New York to restore and enhance their facilities. Statewide, 21 organizations dedicated to the stewardship and promotion of state parks, historic sites and public lands will receive $450,000.

Parks & Trails awards state grants to local groups

Daily Messenger

New York State and Parks & Trails New York recently awarded $450,000 in state grants to 21 organizations dedicated to the stewardship and promotion of state parks, historic sites and public lands. These groups raise private funds for capital projects, perform maintenance tasks, provide educational programming and promote public use through hosting special events.

February, 2018

Peddling Proposals: A plan for new bike paths in Orangetown

Rockland County Times

Citizens and cycling enthusiasts from around Orangetown and all of Rockland County gathered at Orangetown Hall February 8 for a presentation on proposed upgrades to existing bike paths, as well as new pathways and facilities. Non-profit group Parks and Trails New York and the Town of Orangetown have working together on a study of biking in the town with the goal of establishing a ‘shared community cycling network.’

Your Parks, His Budget: Cuomo’s 2018 Proposal

Nyack News & Views

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Fiscal Year 2018-19 Executive Budget Proposal invests in parks and shared green spaces. Although changes at the federal level have made this a difficult budget year for NYS, Cuomo is standing by the environment and continues to make significant investments in state parks and historic sites, and the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF).

Orangetown Bicycle Network Recommendations

Nyack News & Views

The Orangetown Bike Study, a five month effort which included input from more than 500 residents, will present preliminary findings and recommendations on Thurs at 7p in Orangetown Town Hall. Bike study consultants Parks & Trails NY (PTNY) will detail a proposed bicycle network that connects schools, parks, village centers and neighboring communities via a mix of protected, striped and shared cycling facilities.

January, 2018

Cuomo’s budget plan calls for $90M more for state parks

Newsday

Robin Dropkin, executive director of Parks & Trails New York, applauds Cuomo and his commitment to conservation in this article about the upcoming budget year.

Capitol Watch: Cuomo pivots to left; lawmakers eye budget

Sacramento Bee

Parks & Trails New York gave a thumbs-up to the governor’s plans for the state’s environment, parks and other public green spaces as outlined in his state of the state address earlier this month.

400 mile 'Cycle the Erie Canal' event slated for July 8-15

The Buffalo News

Registration is underway for Parks & Trails New York’s 20th anniversary “Cycle the Erie Canal” event, an eight-day, 400-mile recreational bicycle tour from Buffalo to Albany, scheduled for July 8-15.

Gov. Cuomo Announces Plan to Build New State Park in Brooklyn

News 12 Brooklyn

The support of Parks & Trails New York is mentioned in this brief from a local Brooklyn news channel regarding Governor Cuomo's initiative to turn the open space around Jamaica Bay into New York's newest state park.