Park & Trail Partnership Program now $2 million!
Thanks to All Who Helped Us Advocate!
The Park and Trail Partnership Grants program (PTPG) is designed to increase the sustainability, effectiveness, and productivity of non-profit organizations that support our state parks, trails, historic sites, and public lands through grant funding. The program launched in 2015 and is administered by Parks & Trails New York in partnership with the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
How Has the Park and Trail Partnership Program Made an Impact?
Grassroots organizations contribute to the stewardship of New York State’s parks, trails, historic sites and public lands, raising tens of millions of dollars and logging hundreds of thousands of hours of volunteer assistance. Often, these Friends groups are comprised of a relatively small number of dedicated individuals—in most cases, volunteers—who accomplish herculean tasks on shoestring budgets. Since 2015, the Park and Trail Partnership Grants program has:
- Awarded over 141 grants totaling $3.6 million across the state
- Grants were matched by over $1.3 million in private investments
Our Dream for the Future of PTPG
We are excited to announce that included in the Governor’s budget for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) was an increase from $1 million to $2 million for the NYS Park and Trail Partnership Grants program. New York’s Parks 2020 and Adventure New York investments brought new vitality and visibility to New York’s great outdoor places. The Park and Trail Partnership Grants secure this extraordinary legacy by bolstering private partnership efforts in promoting, maintaining and stewarding the state’s outdoor resources.
By doubling the amount of available funds, this competitive grants program will enable State Park and Department of Environmental Conservation Friends groups to expand their impact and strengthen the state’s outdoor heritage of public-private partnership.
Be an Advocate
Let New York Legislators know that the Park and Trail Partnership is important in YOUR community. Write a letter, call or email your local Assembly Member and Senator and tell them that the $2 million funding for this grant is crucial for keeping our parks growing and thriving.
Sample Letter to your Legislator
Dear YOUR Legislator,
On behalf of Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) and park supporters across the state, I write to express my strong support to keep the Park and Trail Partnership Grant program at $2 million, which will enable state park and DEC Friends groups to expand their impact and strengthen the state’s outdoor heritage of public-private partnership. The program is administered by PTNY in partnership with the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and is funded through the NYS Environmental Protection Fund (EPF).
The Park and Trail Partnership Grants program is a capacity-building grants program for organizations that support, strengthen and improve access to the state’s parks, trails, historic sites and public lands, amplifying the state’s historic investment in these outdoor resources. This competitive matching grants program is already reaping large benefits including enabling groups to leverage more private and federal funding and marshal more volunteer power.
Since 2015, 141 grants totaling $3.6 million have been awarded, with funds going toward innovative educational programs, capital projects, and enhanced stewardship. These grants have leveraged more than $1.3 million in private investment.
The Park and Trail Partnership Program was originally conceived for state park and historic site Friends groups. In 2017, for the first time, Friends groups associated with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation lands became eligible for Park and Trail Partnership grants, more than quadrupling the number of eligible organizations.
The New York Parks 2020 and Adventure New York investments have brought new vitality and visibility to New York’s great outdoor places. The Park and Trail Partnership Program secures this extraordinary legacy by bolstering private partnership efforts in promoting, maintaining and stewarding the state’s outdoor resources, leading to even greater economic benefits from outdoor recreation and healthier, more sustainable and resilient communities.
Thank you for your support of our magnificent state park system and public lands. We look forward to working with you and the Legislature on protecting and preserving this legacy.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME