Advocacy
Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) provides a voice for park and trail users and supporters, both in Albany and in communities around the state. The policies and programs supported by PTNY reflect the essential role of parks, trails and greenways in New York’s economic growth, the health of its residents, and the long-term resiliency and sustainability of its communities.
The pandemic made it exceedingly clear that parks, trails and public green space are more important than ever. Skyrocketing visitation to our outdoor spaces is a constant reminder of their value to our physical and mental health.
Public green spaces are also economic drivers and important contributors to the fight against the impacts of climate change. Outdoor recreation in New York generates over $40 billion annually in consumer spending, 313,000 direct jobs, and $14.0 billion in wages and salaries, and $3.6 billion in state and local tax revenue. In the wake of more frequent and severe weather events, parks, trails and greenways also make our state more resilient, providing natural protective systems while keeping the lands they occupy in productive, attractive use.
During the last few years, we saw the first-hand the value of New York’s green spaces, and the attendant importance of equitable access to these green spaces. Parks and trails cannot be considered nice amenities to take or leave when budgets allow; they are essential resources.
In 2023, we are more committed than ever to protecting and enhancing these critical resources and making them available, safe and welcoming for all New Yorkers.
State Parks and Public Lands
New York has one of the largest and most diverse state park systems in the nation. Record visitation to parks over the last decade, thanks in part to historic reinvestment in the system, highlights the need for continued investment and commitment; not only for state parks and historic sites, but public green spaces of all kinds, particularly in areas where opportunities for safe, local recreation are limited or non-existent
Trails Across New York
The completion of the visionary Empire State Trail has sparked a larger conversation about the value of a truly interconnected greenway trail network. Continuing to build and enhance greenway trail networks that connect communities will enhance travel, recreation, and tourism.
Coalitions
PTNY has joined with many of our partners around the state as a member of various coalitions to pursue areas of shared interest. Learn more below. If you would like to request that PTNY join your coalition, please email ptny@ptny.org.
New Yorkers for Clean Water & Jobs
We all need clean air to breathe and safe water to drink. We also need healthy communities, a strong economy, and local recreation. New York’s environmental programs provide all this and more. By putting the $4 billion Bond Act on the 2022 ballot and growing funding for existing environmental programs, we can build a more vibrant future for New York. Learn more at cleanwaterandjobs.org
New York Outdoor Recreation Coalition
New York State Safe Streets Coalition
The Crash Victims Rights & Safety Act is a package of bills that will redesign our streets with safety as a priority to protect all road users, address the speeding rampant on our streets, educate drivers on bike/pedestrian safety and provide support to those personally impacted. Learn more at transalt.org/cvrsa.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund Coalition
Bottle Bill 40 Coalition
Ahead of the 40th anniversary of the Bottle Bill, at a time when society is drowning in discarded plastic waste and local recycling programs are in crisis on several fronts, it’s time to update and expand the state’s highly-successful container deposit redemption program. Learn more at bottlebill40.org.