Press Releases

Saratoga Spa Park Ribbon Cutting
  • March, 2017

  • New Yorkers call on Legislators to Get Rolling on Empire State Trail

    Outdoor enthusiasts and grassroots trail groups from across the state gather today in Albany for Empire State Trail Day, a day of legislative advocacy on behalf of Governor Cuomo’s proposal to build the nation’s longest multi-use trail.

  • January, 2017

  • Registration Open for Cycle the Erie Canal 2017

    Registration is now open for Parks & Trails New York’s 19th 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 9-16, 2017. This year also marks the beginning of the bicentennial celebration for the Erie Canal.

  • Parks & Trails New York Applauds Governor Cuomo’s Historic Commitment to Complete Erie Canalway Trail and Create Empire State Trail by 2020

    Parks & Trails New York, the state’s leading nonprofit advocate for parks, trails, and greenways, applauds Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposal, announced today in his State of the State Address, to create the Empire State Trail by 2020. Completing and connecting unfinished sections of the Erie Canalway Trail and Hudson River Valley Greenway Trail System will create the nation’s longest multi-use trail, securing New York’s place as a national and international destination for outdoor recreation and heritage tourism.

  • New Report Highlights Impact of Friends Groups

    Parks & Trails New York (PTNY), the state’s leading advocate for parks and trails, today released You Gotta Have Friends. The report summarizes the results of a census of the non-profit Friends organizations that support New York’s state parks and historic sites and demonstrates that these grassroots groups are poised to make an even greater contribution to the renaissance of the New York State park system.

  • October, 2016

  • Two Events to Help Wayne County Businesses Attract Cyclists

    Two events that aim to help Canalway Trail communities take advantage of the growing bicycle tourist market will be held in the Wayne County communities of Savannah and Newark. On Tuesday, October 25, Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) and NYS Canal Corporation will offer "Bicyclists Bring Business: Canalway Trail Tourism for Your Downtown!," an evening presentation that is part of the Wayne County Nature-based Tourism Summit, organized by the Wayne County Business Council.

  • September, 2016

  • Accepting Applications for $500,000 in Grants to Help Organizations Improve State Parks, Trails and Historic Sites.

    We are pleased to announce the second round of $500,000 in competitive grants through the NYS Park and Trail Partnership Program funded through the NYS Environmental Protection Fund. The grants are available to Friends Groups of State parks and the program will be administered by PTNY, in partnership with OPRHP.

  • July, 2016

  • 650 Cyclists make 400-mile cross-state bicycle trip to experience Upstate New York

    On July 10, more than 650 cyclists will leave their cars behind to pedal along the historic Erie Canalway Trail from Buffalo to Albany. They will arrive in Buffalo July 9 to prepare for the launch of the 8th annual 400-mile Cycle the Erie Canal tour, organized by the statewide nonprofit group Parks & Trails New York. The tour kicks off on July 10.

  • April, 2016

  • I Love My Park Day Partners Encourage New Yorkers to Give Back

    Elected officials join Parks & Trails New York and representatives from AT&T at the Walkway Over the Hudson today to encourage all New Yorkers to register to volunteer on Saturday, May 7, 2016 for the statewide I Love My Park Day.

  • OSI and Parks & Trails New York Applaud Governor Cuomo and State Legislature for Historic Funding Commitment to Environment and Parks

    The Open Space Institute (OSI) and Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) today praised Governor Andrew Cuomo and members of the state legislature for their extraordinary leadership in supporting state parks and protecting clean water and other vital natural resources. The 2016-17 state budget agreement provides a record-level commitment for the state’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and maintains historic support for the revitalization of New York’s magnificent state parks.

  • March, 2016

  • Advocacy Groups Urge Restoration of State Park Funding in Budget Proposals

    Governor Cuomo’s Parks 2020 initiative has reversed decades of underinvestment in our state parks, transforming New York’s most cherished recreational, cultural and natural assets. Bathhouses and campgrounds are being repaired; water and electrical systems are being upgraded and new public amenities are being added. These long-overdue repairs and enhancements have been enthusiastically received by the public who are visiting these regional economic drivers at dramatically growing rates.