Press Releases

April, 2020

NYS Budget Reflects Commitment to Protecting Parkland and Open Space

Parks & Trails New York thanks Governor Andrew Cuomo and Legislative leaders for passage of the FY 2020-21 budget that avows the importance of preserving our natural environment and providing safe, high-quality outdoor recreation opportunities. Major highlights from the budget include $110 million in capital funding for State Parks, a $300 million Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), and the historic $3 billion “Restore Mother Nature” Environmental Bond Act.

March, 2020

New Yorkers Call on Legislators to Continue Historic Revitalization of State Parks System

ALBANY, NY—New Yorkers from across the state are coming together today at the State Capitol for the 14th annual Park Advocacy Day to urge policymakers to protect and preserve New York’s state parks. Nearly 85 representatives from more than 40 park Friends groups and environmental and educational organizations will make the case for state park funding. Parks & Trails New York and the Open Space Institute jointly organize Park Advocacy Day.

January, 2020

Parks & Trails New York Statement on Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 2020 State of the State Address

Proposal would enhance public realm and green space by adding new state parks, acquiring land to enhance existing parks, and securing our future through bold action to restore our natural environment.

(ALBANY, NY) - At last week’s State of the State address, Governor Cuomo charted a bold course for New York’s future and reinforced the state’s commitment to preserving open space and our natural environment through the Restore Mother Nature initiative.

December, 2019

Survey Shows New Yorkers Sustain Their State Parks with Substantial Donations of Money and Labor

ALBANY, NY -- A 2018 survey of not-for-profit Friends organizations supporting New York’s state parks and historic sites details the critical support and programs these groups provide to our state park system, including more than $17 million in private funds raised and nearly 132,000 hours of volunteer labor donated.

Bicyclists Bring Business Report Recommends Measures for Glens Falls and Surrounding Communities to Attract Bicycle Tourism

ALBANY, NY – Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) and the New York State Canal Corporation today announced the release of the 2019 “Bicyclists Bring Business Workshop Report”. This report provides recommendations as to how Glens Falls and the surrounding area can use the upcoming completion of the Empire State Trail in 2020 to capitalize on the growing bicycle tourism market. Bicyclists Bring Business is an annual event hosted by PTNY and the Canal Corporation, and features a roundtable discussion and a community bike-a-round in a canal community each fall.

September, 2019

Applications now being accepted for $1M in Grants to Improve State Parks, Trails, Historic Sites and Public Lands

Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) and the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), with support from Governor Cuomo and the NYS Legislature, are pleased to announce the fifth round of competitive grants through the NYS Park and Trail Partnership Grants program, funded through the NYS Environmental Protection Fund. The grants, this year doubled to $1million, are available to organizations, typically referred to as “Friends groups,” that support parks, trails, historic sites and public lands.

March, 2019

New Yorkers call on Legislators to Advance “Trails Across New York” Agenda, Extend Empire State Trail to Long Island

Grassroots trail groups travel to Albany to call for coordinated planning, sustainable funding, and bicycle and pedestrian safety policies to grow New York’s multi-use trail network. Outdoor enthusiasts and grassroots trail groups from across the state gather today in Albany for Trails Advocacy Day, a day of legislative advocacy on behalf of New York’s growing multi-use trail network.

January, 2019

Registration Open for Cycle the Erie Canal 2019

ALBANY, NY – Registration is now open for Parks & Trails New York’s 21^st 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. The eight-day, 400-mile recreational bicycle tour from Buffalo to Albany is scheduled for July 7-14, 2019

Parks & Trails New York Applauds Governor Cuomo’s Historic Investment in Parks, the Environment and Grassroots Friends Groups in Budget

Parks & Trails New York commends Governor Cuomo for advancing policies that protect New York’s environment and provide New Yorkers with greater access to the outdoors. The Governor’s proposed budget builds on last year’s unparalleled commitment to parks and the environment and significantly strengthens its impact by proposing to ban single-use bags, expand the bottle bill and foster greater grassroots citizen engagement through expanded support of the Park and Trail Partnership Program in the Environmental Protection Fund.

October, 2018

Parks & Trails New York Honors AT&T with the George W. Perkins Award

NEW YORK CITY, NY – Parks & Trails New York is pleased to present the George W. Perkins Award to AT&T for the company’s commitment to strengthening communities, protecting the environment, and improving lives through its community initiatives. Marissa Shorenstein, AT&T’s President of the Northeast Region, will be accepting the award.