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Apply for PTNY capacity building grants
If The deadline is November 20 to apply for Parks & Trails New York's Capacity Building Grants for not-for-profit park and trail groups. The grants, of up to $3,000, can be used to assist with activities associated with organizational start-up and development, training, communications, and volunteer recruitment and management. Parks & Trails New York's goal is to enable not-for-profits to better fulfill their missions; improve their reach, effectiveness, and impact; leverage more resources; and increase community support for and involvement in park and trail planning, development, and stewardship. For more information email Parks & Trails New York or call 518-434-1583. |
TAKE ACTION TODAY!
State Parks threatened by budget cuts
The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) has been told to cut an additional 10% - nearly $7 million - from its current-year budget for non-personal services bringing the total cuts that OPRHP has sustained this past year to almost 25%.
This is part of yet another round of across-the-board cuts being ordered by Governor Paterson for all state agencies without taking into account the economic benefits some agencies bring to the state and local economies. All of this is occurring despite the fact that a recent Parks & Trails New York report revealed that the state park system accounts for nearly $2 billion each year in economic benefits for the state and local economies - a 5 to 1 return on investment - and creates 20,000 jobs - exclusive of state park employees.
Given that the vast majority of OPRHP's operations occur during the peak summer tourist season, the agency has already spent the lion's share of its operating budget. This leaves little option for OPRHP but to close some state parks and historic sites.
In these challenging economic times the Governor should be looking for ways to bolster OPRHP's ability to fulfill its mission, not looking to cut the agency to the point where the only option is closing state park facilities. Once facilities are closed, they will be closed for years, if not forever.
Contact the Governor TODAY and let him know that cutting state parks is a bad idea for the people of New York and the state's economy. |
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Speak out for parks in FY10-11 budget
As we are now in the heart of the state budget development season, it is imperative that the Governor, State Senators and Assembly members hear from their constituents about the benefits the state park system provides, not only from a recreation and quality of life perspective, but also from an economic perspective. It is the economic argument for state parks that is our best hope of achieving a level of funding for State Parks that will prevent park closures and allow the agency to continue its capital projects revitalization.
Call or email the Governor and your state Senator and Assembly member TODAY! They ultimately decide the level of funding. Tell them our parks need sufficient money for capital needs and operations and remind them of the economic importance of our state park system.
Your call, email or letter can make a big impact! |
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Walkway Over the Hudson
celebrates grand opening
 State Parks unveiled the newest addition to the state park system with the October 3rd grand opening of the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park. The Walkway is a refurbished railroad bridge that stretches from the City of Poughkeepsie on the east bank of the Hudson River to the Town of Lloyd on the river's western shore. It's estimated that 40,000 people turned out for three days of celebration and ceremonies which were the culmination of years of planning and hard work, especially by the Friends of the Walkway, to make the Walkway a reality. |
Two PTNY projects
celebrate ribbon cuttings
Trail extension links Madison County communities
 On September 26, NYS Senator David Valesky and Hamilton Mayor Sue McVaugh joined representatives of the Chenango Canal Association, the Southern Madison Heritage Trust and Parks & Trails New York to formally open a two-mile extension of the Chenango Canal Towpath Trail from Woodman Pond to the Village of Hamilton. Village residents and other trail enthusiasts now have access to eight miles of continuous multi-use pathway paralleling the historic Chenango Canal north of Bouckville to the village.
Parks & Trails New York assisted with this trail project through its Health Trails, Healthy People program. The Village of Hamilton Public Works Department constructed the trail. Senator Valesky and Assemblyman William Magee obtained funding for kiosks, directional signs and other trail amenities that will be added over the next year. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, advocates for a longer trail between Clinton (Oneida County) on the north and Norwich (Chenango County) to the south met at Colgate University to consider next steps in achieving this vision. For more information on the project, contact Parks & Trails New York.
In the photo: Senator David Valesky joins Hamilton Mayor Sue McVaugh (center) to officially open the Chenango Canal Towpath Trail extension.
First section of Chittenago Creekwalk opens
 A dedication ceremony for the first section of The Village of Chittenango Creekwalk and a new fishing platform built alongside the trail was held on October 18. Mayor Ron Goeler recognized the hard work and dedication by the CreekWalk committee and the generosity of property owners who donated land to make way for the new trail.
"By opening a portion of their land for permanent public use, they are bestowing a significant legacy that will enhance the quality of life in our community. Without the cooperation of these private land owners, the trail and this project would not have been possible," he said.
A Healthy Trails, Healthy People community since 2005, the technical assistance provided by Parks and Trails New York has been a valuable source of support since that time, according to the Mayor.
Members of Madison County Chapter 680 Trout Unlimited built the fishing platform along with support from the Village Department of Public Works, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and numerous individuals, organizations and businesses.
In the photo: Volunteers from the Village of Chittenango and Madison County Chapter 680 Trout Unlimited pose at the dedication ceremony. |
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Join us for a very special reception for Diana Taylor
We invite you to party for New York's parks -- by attending our 2009 award reception honoring Diana Taylor, Chair of the Board, Hudson River Park Trust, for her leadership in the development of the largest Manhattan open space project since Central Park. The cocktail reception will be held November 9, 2009, from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm at The University Club in New York City.
Tickets start at $150 but there are SPECIAL RATES for PTNY members and for nonprofit organizations. Your ticket purchase supports New York's parks and trails! To purchase tickets, call Martha Gershun at 518-434-1583, x205. |
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Funding Opportunity
Tools for parks & trails
 The Home Depot's Building Healthy Communities Grant Program awards grants of up to $2,500 to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and tax-exempt public service agencies that are using the power of volunteers to improve the physical health of their communities. The development and/or improvement of green spaces is an eligible undertaking. Grants are made in the form of Home Depot gift cards for the purchase of tools or materials. Deadline:December 15, 2009. |
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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 | |
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Support parks and trails by donating or
joining today! |
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Check out our new parks E-newsletter
To highlight the efforts of our state park friends groups and encourage people to speak out on issues affecting state parks, Parks & Trails New York has launched You Gotta Have Friends, a quarterly newsletter. Read the Fall Issue.
Trails - a sought after community amenity
Trails are fast becoming a resource that every New York State town, village and city wants. Parks & Trails New York recently received applications from 20 new communities interested in obtaining trail development assistance through its Healthy Trails, Healthy People program. The applications represent trail projects located in 18 counties spread across all regions of the state. Selections will be announced on the PTNY website November 16. |
Job Opportunity
at PTNY
We're looking for a dynamic individual to head up our Campaign for Parks. Read the job description. |
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Trailfinder Trail
of the Month
Vestal Rail Trail leads through heart of town
Check out the myriad community destinations along the two-mile paved Vestal Rail Trail in the Southern Tier by visiting PTNY's new Trailfinder - a guide to 110 multi-use trails throughout NYS. The rail trail connects shopping centers, neighborhoods, two parks, the high school, and a wetland.
Is your favorite business bicycle friendly?
A bicycle friendly business ( BFB) is one that actively promotes bicycling for transportation, recreation, exercise, and sport, and the League of American Bicyclists wants to recognize outstanding ones through its BFB Program. Nominees can be employers of any size, for-profit or nonprofit, and located anywhere in the country. The League offers a "BFB at a Glance Scorecard" for assessing a business' readiness to apply. Applications for the next round of designations are due by January 15, 2010.
How much do trail users spend?
 Multi-use trails contribute to local economies, and trail advocates now have additional data to make the case. Earlier this year, the Allegheny Trail Alliance (ATA), a coalition that is building the 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage trail, released Phase 2 of its Trail Town Economic Impact Study. ATA surveyed 1,300 trail users at eight locations to develop a user profile including spending in connection with visiting the trail. |
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Vote for Canalway Trail for Google "street view"
In response to a request from Google for suggestions for parks and trails to map using its new street view trike, Parks & Trails New York nominated the Erie Canalway Trail. Now, Google is asking for votes on which places to map. Cast your vote for the Canalway Trail.
Saratoga P.L.A.N. engineers trail extension
The Saratoga County Town of Halfmoon and Saratoga P.L.A.N. (Preserving Land And Nature) recently announced an agreement with Pan Am Southern railroad for the donation of nearly 6 acres of land. This donation will allow for an extension of the popular Zim Smith Trail that currently runs north from Halfmoon into the city of Mechanicville. Survey shows Ithaca residents like living next to trails
A recently completed Town of Ithaca Trails Committee survey of property owners living adjacent to the town's three major walking trails shows that 81 percent of people who live next to the trails believe their presence "improved" or "much improved" the quality of their neighborhood. Almost 60% of adjacent property owners said they use the trails one to four times a week and another 22 percent said they use them once or twice per week. Only three percent said they never use the trails. |
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Thank you for your time and commitment in helping to protect and expand New York's parks and trails. Our park and trail advocacy efforts and work in communities are made possible by the generous support of people like you. Regular Membership starts at just $35. Won't you join us today.
We'd love to
hear from you.
Parks & Trails E-News is a publication of Parks & Trails New York. Feedback? Story ideas? E-mail us at enews@ptny.org, write to us at 29 Elk St., Albany, NY 12207 or call us at 518-434-1583.
Your support makes all this possible!
To help Parks & Trails New York, make an online donation today or call us Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. | |
