Record EPF, increased funding to Park & Trail Partnership Grant Program and Connect Kids will keep NY’s public lands safe and accessible for all

Parks & Trails New York applauds Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature for increasing funding for New York’s public lands in the finalized FY2026 budget. This expanded investment is a timely affirmation of the value parks, state forests, wildlife areas and greenway trails provide in improving the economy and health of New York State.

The Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) will receive a record $425 million, with capital funding maintained at $200 million for the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation and $90 million for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

The budget secures funding to the Park & Trail Partnership Grant program, which increased from $2 million to $2.5 million, and the Connect Kids to Parks program, which increased from $3 million to $3.8 million over FY2025. These programs fill critical funding gaps, ensuring that parks, trails, and open spaces across the state can welcome millions of visitors each year.

The Park & Trail Partnership Grant (PTPG) program allocates funds to grassroots nonprofit groups for necessary maintenance and improvement projects in addition to capacity building and community programming. With $5 million in unmet requests, increased funding to PTPG will improve the accessibility of outdoor recreation and support much-needed infrastructure projects and programming to keep up with growing visitation.

Since 2016, Connect Kids has funded field trips to public lands for nearly 800,000 students. The program fosters tomorrow’s conservation leaders by providing environmental education and understanding of New York’s rich history. This funding increase will bring Connect Kids closer to meeting demand, ensuring students from urban and underserved communities have equal access to outdoor recreation and its attendant health benefits.

Visitation to New York’s public lands continues to grow year after year, with State Parks reaching a record 88.3 million visits in 2024. Tourism to public lands drives New York’s economy, with State Parks alone adding $3.7 billion to the state GDP in 2021, on par with the state’s agricultural sector. Funding to public lands generates income for small businesses and attracts employers from emerging industries who place a premium on quality of life and access to nature.

Parks & Trails New York is proud to operate in a state where public lands are supported at the highest level, particularly amid federal cuts to conservation and the environment. Without funding to public lands and the agencies who manage them, millions of New Yorkers will lose access to New York State’s remarkable network of historical, environmental, and recreational resources. 

Parks & Trails New York Executive Director Paul Steely White said, “Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature have confirmed the state’s long-held commitment to protecting public lands. We owe these wins to our growing network of advocates–from municipalities and non-profit organizations to Friends groups and PTNY supporters. Public lands are not simply a nice amenity, these spaces are an enduring pillar of the state and should be treated as such. Together, we can ensure these lands will continue to benefit communities and captivate visitors for years to come.”