Community Trails Assistance
If you have the vision and the passion but need assistance either getting a new trail started or increasing the use of an existing trail, Parks & Trails New York can help. We do not provide grants. What we offer is the advice, expertise and the wide ranging network of connections of our staff, gained through decades of experience with community organizing and trail development.
Healthy Trails, Healthy People
Since launching Healthy Trails, Healthy People in 2004, PTNY has helped 38 communities in 34 counties with the development and promotion of 260 miles of trail across New York State. Healthy Trails, Healthy People is funded in part by a grant from the Healthy Heart Program of the NYS Department of Health.
We are not accepting applications at this time.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HEALTHY TRAILS, HEALTHY PEOPLE PROGRAM.
Accessible Parks & Trails
Our goal: Parks & Trails New York's goal is to increase the accessibility of New York's outdoor trails for people with physical limitations that affect the quality of their recreational experience.
The challenge: More than 1,200 miles of multi-use trails exist throughout New York State, yet there is little information on trail characteristics that can be used by persons with disabilities to help them decide if a trail would be suitable for them. Without knowing whether a trail will be able to accommodate their needs, persons with disabilities are reluctant to use New York’s trails and thus cannot enjoy the health, recreational, and alternative transportation benefits that they can provide. Other trails could also become accessible if only trail managers knew what improvements were needed.
As a result: In 2006, Parks & Trails New York launched its Accessible Parks & Trails program to train trail managers and advocates in the Universal Trail Assessment Process (UTAP)
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ACCESSIBLE PARKS & TRAILS
Trail Use Counts
Decisions regarding design, funding, operation, maintenance, and promotion of the New York State's impressive trail and greenway system are based in large part on understanding the level and type of trail use. Estimates of annual trail traffic volume inform current and future expenditures for construction and maintenance; they also demonstrate the economic impact of trails on the counties, towns, villages, and cities across the state.
Since 2005, Parks & Trails New York has been conducting trail counts on multi-use trails that vary in length, surrounding density of development, and the number of access points. The results are a comprehensive snapshot of trail usage that continues to evolve as New York State's trail and greenway system grows.