In The News

March, 2018

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.

Advocacy group gives thumbs up to Cuomo's state parks plans

The News and Observer

(ALBANY, N.Y.) The people who advocate for outdoor recreation in New York state say they're happy with Gov. Andrew Cuomo's plans for parks in 2018. The Democrat announced in his State of the State address this week that his agenda includes continued investment in upstate parks as well as building a new park in Brooklyn and completing another in Manhattan.

December, 2017

State parks boost Long Island’s economy, report says

Newsday

State parks on Long Island expanded the Island’s economy as visitors spent hundreds of millions and the parks supported thousands of jobs, a recent report said. The report outlined but did not estimate the value of numerous other benefits, from cleaner water to improved public health. Its hard data keyed off attendance.

November, 2017

Rail trail decision outdated, shortsighted

Albany Times Union

This opinion piece written by PTNY's Executive Director, Robin Dropkin, expresses the support of the State to appeal a judge's ruling resulting in the halting of the Lake Placid-Tupper Lake multi-use trail project.

Troy proposes plan to make city bike trail safer (VIDEO)

WTEN--ABC Channel 10, Albany

Albany television station covering the safety side of the November 8 "Troy Bicycle Connections Plan" meeting in Troy hosted by PTNY. One of the presenters, PTNY's Project Coordinator, Greg Francese, is interviewed.

Troy bike plan unveiled Wednesday (VIDEO)

WNYT--NBC Channel 13, Albany

PTNY presented the Troy Bicycle Connections Plan at a well-attended meeting on November 8. Various local television and other media were present to cover the event including this evening news segment.

Study: Parks visitation presents economic boon for region

The Daily News of Wyoming, Orleans, and Genesee Counties

This article from a western New York publication covers the report issued by PTNY about the economic impact study on NYS Parks and the positive impact our parks have on jobs and tourism in the Genesee Region.

October, 2017

Orangetown Bike Study Uses Cool Tools To Map Safe Cycling Future

Nyack News & Views

Article written by our Project Director, James Meerdink, covering a collaborative bike study conducted by PTNY for the Rockland County town of Orangetown. The study includes an online survey and interactive online map allowing users to report bicycle-related issues in their community on the spot. Data will be used to improve cycling infrastructure for the considerable increase of cyclists in the region.