In The News

April, 2022

A call for volunteers for the 17th annual Canal Clean Sweep

Hudson Valley 360

Volunteers are encouraged to register today, as groups across New York State prepare for the 17th Canal Clean Sweep, to be held April 22-24, 2022. Canal Clean Sweep is an annual clean-up event held across the New York State Canal System and Canalway Trail.

Orleans county communities prepare annual Canal Clean Sweep

The Daily News

Groups across New York are preparing for the 17th annual Canal Clean Sweep, and Orleans County is no exception.

March, 2022

Whole Health Hero Protects New York’s Green Spaces and Promotes Health Statewide

Times Union

Parks & Trails New York has been awarded as a Whole Health Hero!

February, 2022

Hudson Valley Bike Tour Set to Launch in 2023

News10 ABC--Albany

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) has been awarded funding to launch Empire State Trail Adventure: Cycle the Hudson Valley in 2023. The seven-day bike ride will be between Albany and New York City.

January, 2022

As cycling surges, push is on for better bike network amid some pushback from motorists

Buffalo News

“When we started advocating for trails 30 years ago, we were kind of out in the wilderness,” said Robin Dropkin, executive director of the statewide nonprofit group Parks & Trails New York.

Transportation advocacy groups call on state legislature to pass street safety bills

NYN Media

PTNY Executive Director, Robin Dropkin is quoted in this piece stating support for the Crash Victim Rights and Safety Act.

Parks Funding in New York State Budget

The Sun

PTNY Executive Director Robin Dropkin is quoted supporting the proposed $100 million EPF increase in the 2022-2023 New York State Executive Budget. The increase will invest $200 million and a 15% increase in the operating budget for our state parks as well as doubling our successful Park and Trail Partnership grant program to $2 million.

Registration open for Cycle the Erie Canal 2022

Hudson Valley 360

(ALBANY) Registration is open for Parks & Trails New York's 24th annual Cycle the Erie Canal ride.

Efforts under way to bring back annual Erie Canal cycling trip

The Rome Sentinel

Parks & Trails New York’s 24th annual Bike Tour along the Erie Canal is scheduled this year for July 10-17. Every summer, cyclists leave their cars behind in Buffalo to pedal along the historic Erie Canalway Trail to Albany for Parks & Trails New York’s annual Cycle the Erie Canal bike tour.

Cycle the Erie Canal bike tour follows 400 miles of historic New York state waterway

Yahoo News

Cycle the Erie Canal bike tour riders past, present and future are invited to join the annual Parks & Trails New York’s event again — or for the first time — when the traditional eight-day travel adventure returns for its 24th year in July.

December, 2021

PTNY Receives $226,500 for Hudson Valley Ride Event

Times Union

PTNY's proposal for a Cycle the Hudson Valley bike tour is #3 on this list of "7 Ways the Hudson Valley is spending $20 million in NY grants"

November, 2021

There’s a New 750-Mile Bicycle Route in New York. Take a Look.

New York Times

Our director, Robin Dropkin, is quoted and links to our website are provided in this extensive piece covering the entire Empire State Trail.

October, 2021

Saratoga Spa State Park’s Coesa Mineral Spring to undergo preservation, renovation work

The Daily Gazette

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Money is flowing in for a planned preservation and renovation of a mineral spring in Saratoga Spa State Park that cannot be tapped or easily accessed in its current condition. Officials from Parks & Trails New York presented the Friends of Saratoga Spa State Park with a $75,000 grant Wednesday to restore the long-neglected Coesa Mineral Spring. The “friends” project aims to rehab Coesa’s springhouse, provide interpretive signage throughout the spring, and install a historically accurate replica of its original granite fountain.

Artpark receives $50,000 grant for upgrades

WIVB--Channel 4 Buffalo

YONKERS GETS FUNDS FOR OLD CROTON AQUEDUCT-TRAIL OUTREACH

Yonkers Times

NYS Senate Majority Leader and Yonkers Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, pictured with Yonkers officials, and residents, announced, “I was privileged to join Parks and Trails New York as they presented a $24,875 grant to the Friends of Old Croton Aqueduct. The award will be used to expand outreach and community engagement in underserved and diverse communities by retaining a part-time outreach coordinator.

September, 2021

"Pedal to Peebles" ride on the Empire State Trail

ABC News10--Albany

COHOES, N.Y. (NEWS10) – On Saturday, September 25, from 9 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Parks & Trails will host a free guided 21-mile roundtrip bicycle ride along Erie Canalway Trail, the Empire State Trail between Albany’s Corning Riverfront Park and Peebles Island State Park.

August, 2021

VIDEO: Coesa Spring restoration

News10 ABC--Albany

In August, Friends of Saratoga Spa State Park, a nonprofit organization, was awarded a $75,000 matching grant from the Environmental Protection Fund’s Park and Trail Partnership Grants program to rehabilitate Coesa Spring. The Friends of the Saratoga Spa State Park will have to raise an additional $67,000 in matching funds, for a total of $142,000. The Park and Trail Partnership Grants are administered by Parks & Trail New York, a statewide non-profit organization, in partnership with the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation.

Fillmore Glen friends group gets $13K for kiosks, signs at state park

Auburnpub.com

A partner of a state park in Moravia is one of 30 organizations that has been awarded funding to support projects at New York state parks. Friends of Fillmore Glen State Park will get $13,296 to set up kiosks and install signage at the park.

July, 2021

7 Organizations Get Grants To Support Projects In Hudson Valley

Patch.com

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Seven nonprofit organizations in the Hudson Valley received grants from the state's Park and Trail Partnership Grants program to support projects involved with stewardship of state parks, trails, historic sites and public lands.

NYS Giving Out $900,000 For Projects At State Parks, Trails, Public Lands

Erie News Now

ALBANY (WENY) – New York State is distributing $900,000 in grants to various state parks, trails, historic sites and public lands. The Park and Trail Partnership Grants program is funded through the state Environmental Protection Fund. The grants support partner group efforts to raise private funds for capital projects, perform maintenance and beautification undertakings, provide educational programming and promote public use of the parks through hosting special events.