Supporting PTNY Makes a Big Impact for Communities

Deb knows all about the big impact a small group of dedicated individuals can have.

As a former runner—and a long-time and current lover of trails—Deb was excited for the opportunity to live close to the Albany Hudson Electric Trail. The trail needed support though, especially when the state was looking for municipalities to take over maintenance of trails in advance of creation of the Empire State Trail. Many towns and counties didn’t have the bandwidth to manage it alone, and volunteers from Kinderhook Trails, Stuyvesant Pathways, Kinderhook-Stuyvesant-Stockport Trails, Village of Valatie, and the Village of Kinderhook stepped up to form Columbia Friends of the Electric Trail in 2018. This group became an official nonprofit in 2019 and took on maintenance of the 22-mile section of trail, which follows the historic route of an electric trolley that operated from 1900 to 1929.

Deb, serving as the Treasurer for the Friends group, is proud of the resource the group helps provide.

“I can’t tell you the number of different kinds of people I’ve seen out on our trail during the pandemic. I thought the first people using the trail most would be runners and bicyclists. But more than anything you see people walking: families with strollers, people walking dogs, an older relative with a walker… It’s amazing people have this resource to exercise safely. We’re a rural county so there are few sidewalks, and the roads aren’t really safe for people to walk on. The Trail is available for people of all abilities and all ages.”

While Deb had heard of Parks & Trails New York—and loved the mission and the organization’s work—it wasn’t until the Friends were applying for a Park and Trail Partnership Grant that she really became familiar with PTNY’s work. The Columbia Friends of the Electric Trail applied for—and were awarded—a PTPG grant in 2020. “I was so amazed that PTNY would support a new org—all volunteer, no staff, low budget—taking on a large responsibility. We’ve just completed our first year of trail maintenance and it makes such a difference!”

And, like many who are supporters and lovers of public green spaces, the Friends’ work has been even more important in the face of COVID-19. “I love the parks, I love the outdoors. I love that it’s essentially free. In the pandemic the outdoors has been a lifesaver for most people.”

In the face of all of PTNY’s impact, there was no question for Deb that she would become a financial supporter.

“Thank you for what you do and for supporting all these outdoor space. I love it and I can’t say enough. It’s been a life saver for many and will be into the future. How precious these spaces are for everybody too, and they don’t cost anything.”

If you want to join Deb in supporting and expanding public green space for all New Yorkers in 2022, consider giving to Parks & Trails New York today. You can make an impact for your family, your neighbors, and for the future generations to come.

Help us ensure that during tough times, our parks, trails and public lands are there for all of us.