[Albany, NY] – Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) applauds Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature for advancing a final state budget that makes meaningful investments in parks, trails, and public lands across New York. This year’s budget reflects a strong commitment to meeting the needs of our public lands, empowering local communities, and ensuring these essential resources remain accessible to all New Yorkers.

Building on proposals advanced by the Legislature, the final budget recognizes that public lands are not only recreational assets, but essential infrastructure that supports economic growth, climate resilience, and community well-being. $340 million in funding for State Parks (OPRHP) and $114 million for DEC capital programs will help address aging facilities, expand accessibility, and improve the visitor experience for the millions of New Yorkers and visitors who rely on these spaces each year. Continued investment ensures that these assets remain safe, welcoming, and resilient in the face of growing demand.

New York’s public lands are a powerful economic engine, generating $5.6 billion in visitor spending and supporting communities across the state. As visitation continues to reach record levels, sustained investment is essential to protecting prior gains and unlocking new opportunities for economic development and community revitalization.

We also support the Governor’s efforts to modernize the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), which will help streamline the delivery of critical infrastructure projects and greenway trail development while maintaining New York’s strong environmental protections. Too often, projects that provide an adaptive reuse of historic transportation corridors for greenway trails are held up in endless bureaucratic reviews. The proposed changes will allow projects to be completed more quickly, extending the impact of New York’s funding resources and helping ensure that investments translate more quickly into improved access, infrastructure, and visitor experiences across New York’s public lands.

This year’s budget reflects the growing impact of grassroots advocacy. Following a record-breaking Park & Public Lands Advocacy Day, where advocates from across New York met directly with lawmakers to share their priorities, this final budget demonstrates that when New Yorkers speak up, leaders respond with real and dedicated investments.

PTNY is particularly encouraged by the inclusion of $425 million for the Environmental Protection Fund, continuing New York’s leadership in conservation and outdoor recreation. Programs supported through the EPF–including $2.65 million for the Park and Trail Partnership Grant program, $28.75 million for the Municipal Parks Program, and $3.8 million for Connect Kids to Parks–play a critical role in expanding access to public lands, supporting grassroots stewardship, and ensuring that communities across the state can benefit from these investments. These programs are consistently oversubscribed, demonstrating both their success and the need for continued growth.

Dedicated funding for public lands through the EPF is critical for environmental programs across the state. The expanded use of earmarks for designated projects risks the integrity of the EPF, which has historically created widespread, bi-partisan funding opportunities through a transparent and competitive process. Preserving the effectiveness of the EPF requires maintaining established processes to ensure funding decisions continue to move through proper channels that prioritize fairness, accountability, and statewide environmental needs.

While this budget makes important progress, there remain critical gaps in funding for our multi-use trails. PTNY will continue to advocate for long-term, dedicated investment in New York’s greenway trail network: a nation-leading system that connects communities, supports local economies, and expands access to outdoor recreation across the state. It is vital that infrastructure for alternative transportation secures dedicated funding to enable local communities to access unrealized economic potential. This need will be demonstrated on June 9, when PTNY will release our landmark report on the economic impact of the Empire State Trail and its role in creating healthier communities, opportunities for accessible recreation, and thriving local economies across the state.

Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York said, “This budget sends a strong message that Governor Hochul and the State Legislature understand the value of public lands in improving the health of our communities, our environment, and our economy. We’re especially encouraged to see continued support for programs that empower local partners and connect more New Yorkers, especially kids and underserved communities, to the benefits of outdoor recreation. While there is still more work to be done to secure long-term funding for our statewide trail network, this budget reflects meaningful progress and growing recognition that public lands are essential infrastructure for New York’s future.” 

About Parks & Trails New York

Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) is the statewide advocate for parks, trails, and public lands. Since its founding in 1985, PTNY has fought to improve the health and wellbeing of all New Yorkers through the enjoyment of statewide greenspaces. PTNY is the leading voice for the protection and expansion of New York’s incredible state park system and multi-use trail network, including more than 2,000 miles of greenways, bike paths, and river walks. Learn more at www.ptny.org