Need assistance developing a trail?
We can help - apply by October 2
 

If you have the vision and the passion but need assistance either getting a trail project started or increasing the use of an existing trail, we can help.Parks & Trails New York is offering assistance to communities wishing to develop a new multi-use trail or increase usage on an existing trail as part of its Healthy Trails, Healthy People Program. Five communities will be selected to receive help with technical issues, planning, public outreach, grant writing, fundraising, programming, organizational development and other activities critical to the long-term success of trail projects.  
 
South County TrailwayFor more information and applications, go to the PTNY website or email or call PTNY at 518-434-1583.  Applications are being accepted until October 2, 2009. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact Parks & Trails New York to discuss their projects before the submission deadline. Healthy Trails, Healthy People is supported in part by a grant from the Healthy Heart Program of the New York State Department of Health.
Master Planning underway for several state parks

The development of Master Plans remains a priority for State Parks despite significant fiscal challenges and staff limitations.  Over the past several weeks the agency has held preliminary public meetings on the proposed master plans for Allegany, Green Lakes and Wehle State Parks.  In addition, OPRHP has released the Draft Master Plan/Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Midway State Park, and will be accepting written comments on the draft until September 18, 2009.

Last year, OPRHP began the master planning process for four state parks in addition to Midway, including Caumsett, Jamesport, Minnewaska, and Saratoga Spa.   We expect that the Draft Master Plans/Draft Environmental Impact Statements for each of these to be released in the coming months.
New bathhouse opens at Green Lakes State Park 
 
Green Lakes State Park bath houseOn June 12, State Parks officially opened a $2.3 million bathhouse at Green Lakes State Park near Syracuse.  The bathhouse, which replaces a deteriorating 50-year old structure, was constructed as part of OPRHP's ongoing $700 million revitalization of the state park system.  In addition to the bathhouse, OPRHP invested $700,000 to replace a failing drinking water system in the park.  All of this was made possible by the infusion of capital funds for the agency totaling more than $200 million over the past two years.
 
Juicy Juice check presented to Commissioner AshThe unveiling of the Green Lakes bathhouse also served as the backdrop for the announcement of a new partnership between State Parks and the makers of Nestle Juicy Juice, in support of new playgrounds at seven state parks.  Over the next two years, Nestle Juicy Juice will be donating $350,000 for sponsorship of playgrounds at Jones Beach, Letchworth, Saratoga Spa, Wellesley Island, East River, Robert Moses, and Green Lakes state parks.
Bike/fed funding uncertain in new federal transportation bill 
 
At the end of September, the current $286 billion national transportation program funded through SAFETEA-LU will expire. Recently, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee released their version of a new bill - the $500 billion Transportation Authorization Act of 2009.  The bill combines many existing programs, emphasizes comprehensive street design, and establishes an Office of Livability that would place greater emphasis on non-highway projects.  It is unclear whether Congress will ultimately pass a new six-year bill, such as that proposed by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, or a temporary 18-month extension of SAFETEA-LU, which is favored by the Obama administration and some Senators. Because of these differences and other important issues that Congress is considering, such as health care, there may be little action on transportation legislation until September.
 
Parks & Trails New York supports the creation of an entirely new type of transportation system - one that provides increased funding for bicycling and walking infrastructure and active living that will cost-effectively reduce oil dependence, climate pollution and obesity rates while providing more and better choices for getting around town.
NYC trail project wins national award 
 
bmxNew York City's Highbridge Park Project has received the Environment and Wildlife Compatibility Award from the Coalition for Recreational Trails (CRT) in recognition of the outstanding use of Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funds to create bicycle trails within the previously underutilized and decaying urban park. The Green Apple Corps, a NYC Parks-based division of Americorps, along with volunteers from the New York City Mountain Bike Association (NYCMTB) and Concerned Long Island Mountain Bikers (CLIMB) removed trash and constructed bike trails that meet the recreational needs of neighborhood youth while protecting environmentally sensitive areas within the park. Building upon this ground breaking effort, which represented the first time bicycles were allowed in New York City parks since 1991, CLIMB and NYCMTB have subsequently helped open trails in Cunningham Park in Queens and Wolfe's Pond Park on Staten Island.
Funding Opportunities

Tom's of Maine Community Sponsorships provide grants of $20,000 each to five nonprofit organizations in order to enhance their community involvement projects.  Application deadline is August 30, 2009.
 
The Norfolk Southern Foundation supports nonprofit organizations within the region served by Norfolk Southern with grants in educational programs, community enrichment, human services, and environmental programs. Deadline is September 30, 2009
 
State grants for park and trail projects

Parks & Trails New York is a member of Earth Share of New York, an alliance of leading nonprofit environmental organizations. For more information about workplace giving to Parks & Trails New York and Earth Share, check out www.earthshareny.org

AUGUST 2009 

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New Parks e-newsletter - sign up today  
 
We're excited to announce the inaugural issue of You Gotta Have Friends, an electronic newsletter for friends of New York's State Parks and Historic Sites.
 
We envision the quarterly newsletter as a tool to help us all be more effective advocates for New York's magnificent State Park System and as a way for Friends organizations to learn what other groups are doing, and to share success stories and challenges
Sign up for today You Gotta Have Friends. 
Share your Stories
 
Tell us your stories and we'll share them in future E-News issues and on our website.
 
Please include a photo if you have one, with photo credit, caption and your name and the location the photo was taken.
We're published! Read articles in Conservationist and American Trails
 
In the June issue of New York State Conservationist, "Blazing Trails" describes several local, multi-use trail development projects and their contributions to an emerging statewide trail network.  The summer edition of American Trails contains "New York State's Canalway Trail," which describes the vision for a long-distance trail between Buffalo and Albany and some of the challenges facing completion and effective management.
 
Cycling the Erie Canal bike tour- Check out stories and photos 
 
CTEC finish line
 
More than 550 riders from 39 states enjoyed some of the best weather ever as they biked from Buffalo to Albany as part of the 11th annual Cycling the Erie Canal bike tour July 12-19.  Check out the extensive news coverage.  Go to Flickr for great photos of the event.
$3.3 million awarded for NYS trail projects  
 
Thirty-two NYS trail projects received $3.3 million in grant awards as part of the federal Recreational Trails Program. The grants will be used for such projects as creating new trails, improving trails, providing connections and purchasing equipment. Trail development plans must emphasize providing access for people with disabilities and minimizing environmental impact.
 
A click is all it takes - earn dollars for State Park trails

Organic food manufacturer Cascadian Farms is donating $15,000 to the New York State Park System for trail maintenance and promotion, but you can help raise that amount to a maximum of $25,000 by just visiting the special website and entering a few lines about why you love New York State Park trails. For every entry, Cascadian Farms will donate an additional dollar.
 
Grand opening of Walkway Over the Hudson October 3
 
Walkway Over the Hudson under construction in 2008
 
The Grand Opening of the Walkway Over the Hudson will take place the weekend of October 3, 2009.  When complete the former railroad bridge will be the longest pedestrian walkway in the world spanning over 1.25 miles long. The bridge will connect to 27 miles of rail trails and riverfront parks already built or planned in Ulster and Dutchess Counties and provide visitors with a unique view of the Hudson River Valley.   Volunteers are needed to assist with the grand opening festivities.  
 
2009 Open Space Conservation Plan
 
The recently released NYS 2009 Open Space Conservation Plan
lists 135 priority conservation projects across the state, identified by nine citizen-based Regional Advisory Committees. Parks & Trails New York attended advisory committee meetings in the Capital region and submitted comments on the state-wide draft plan.

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