|
|
|
Two bills will protect Allegany from drilling
Urge Governor to sign
 Two important bills that protect Allegany State Park from oil and gas drilling have passed the Senate and Assembly and will soon be going to the Governor for his approval. Please contact the Governor and urge him to sign these bills.
Lapsed oil and gas interests (A408/S2779)
This bill establishes that oil and gas interests that haven't been used for 20 years will lapse and revert to the state unless the owner files a claim within certain parameters.
Regulating gas and oil drilling (A383-A/S4720)
This bill requires that State Parks act as lead agency for SEQRA review of any action related to oil and gas drilling in Allegany State Park and that no drilling for the exploration or development of privately-controlled oil and gas rights can take place in the park except under the terms of a surface access permit issued by the agency. The permit terms, laid out in the bill, ensure that the park's natural, ecological, scenic, and recreational resources are protected.
Read our memos of support for the bills: lapsed oil and gas interests and regulating gas and oil drilling bills.
Allegany State Park, with 67,000 acres, is the largest park in the NYS park system. It welcomes over 1 million annual visitors, offering year-round recreational activities and opportunities for a wilderness experience in western New York. In addition, the park provides refuge for a number of rare and endangered species. |
|
Complete Streets is now law!
With the passage of the Complete Streets bill, New York's roadways will be safer for everyone - drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. State highway law now mandates that design features such as sidewalks, bicycle lanes, lane striping, share the road signage, crosswalks, bus pull outs, curb cuts, traffic calming and more be at least considered in the planning, design, construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of roadways that receive federal or state funding. Parks & Trails New York was a strong supporter of the bill. |
|
Register today for our September trails and greenways conference in Ithaca
Registration is now open for September's conference Finger Lakes Trails and Greenways: Connecting communities, promoting health, and strengthening local economies
The conference, organized by PTNY and the Finger Lakes Land Trust, will be held Friday, September 23 and Saturday, September 24, 2011 at Cornell University in Ithaca.
The program is designed to offer multiple opportunities for local government and tourism officials, trail professionals, business leaders, trail users, and grassroots activists and organizations to share their experiences and learn from recognized leaders in the field. It is appropriate for meeting state training requirements for local planning and zoning boards, but check with local officials to confirm.
|
|
News from State Parks
Controversy spurs improvements at Niagara Falls State Park
After a New York Times travel article called Niagara Falls State Park "shabby" and "underfinanced" and a subsequent Buffalo News editorial deemed the situation a "galling state of affairs," the State Parks agency responded by outlining a three-part improvement plan for the park.
According to State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey, "The facilities at Niagara Falls State Park need to match the expectations of the 8 million visitors coming from around the globe each year to see the iconic falls. State Parks staff takes great pride in the park and we will dedicate ourselves to improving and enhancing the facilities that complement the falls."
The improvement plan includes immediate steps to correct wear-and-tear issues that arise from heavy usage, as well as long-term steps to prioritize the 126-year-old park's capital needs.
Niagara Falls is the oldest state park in the nation and the most-visited in the NYS park system. A 2008 study by Parks & Trails New York estimates the economic impact of parks in the Niagara region is immense-creating 4,701 jobs and spurring $569 million of economic output.
|
Safety concerns cancel July 4th Jones Beach fireworks
For the second year, the July 4th fireworks at Jones Beach State Park on Long Island were cancelled because of a lack of park safety officers. The Parks Agency has lost so many officers to retirement and other enforcement agencies that it said it could not safely hold the event. The dearth of park safety officers is a system-wide issue, as the agency has not been given the go-ahead to hold a police academy training since 2008.
Green Lakes State Parks-for the birds
One thousand acres of Green Lakes State Park
east of Syracuse have been designated as a Bird Conservation Area (BCA), designed to protect birds and enhance bird habitats.
A significant portion of the new BCA, which encompasses about half of the park, will be maintained as grassland for regionally declining birds such as the Grasshopper Sparrow and the threatened Northern Harrier (Marsh Hawk). The forest portion of the BCA is mostly within the watershed of Round Lake and is important breeding habitat for birds of mature forest such as the Ovenbird and Wood Thrush.
According to park officials, the public will be only minimally affected by the BCA as the conservation area is on the west side of the park, while the heavily used swimming beach, golf course, and campgrounds are on the park's east side.
With the addition of Green Lakes, NYS has 53 designated BCAs on public land.
Updated guide to park alienation
State Parks, the agency charged with guiding municipalities on park alienation, or the taking of parkland for non-park use, has released an updated Handbook on the Alienation and Conversion of Municipal Parkland in New York. The document, last revised in 2005, is a resource for educating municipal authorities, legislators, and the general public about changes in parkland use or ownership and the required legislative process.
Since the days of the Roman Empire, the public trust doctrine has established that parks, waterways, and other natural resources should be preserved for public enjoyment. Today this doctrine is legally guided by decisions of the courts, rather than written laws - otherwise known as common law. In New York State, the courts have held that using parkland for a "non-park use" requires permission from the State Legislature.
Read our memo of support for legislation that tightens the requirements for park alienation and puts those requirements into statute rather than common law. |
|
Markey new chair of Assembly Committee that oversees parks
Two bills will protect Allegany from drilling
Assemblywoman Margaret Markey, representing the 30th Assembly District in Queens, has been named the new chair of the Tourism, Parks, Arts, and Sports Development Committee, taking over from Assemblyman Steve Engelbright.
Assemblywoman Markey began her public service career as the Queens Assistant Director of Economic Development and then became Director of Marketing and Tourism for the borough. In that capacity, she was responsible for creating many of the marketing materials that are still currently used to promote the tourism industry in Queens.
 Assemblywoman Margaret Markey said: "I am delighted with my appointment to chair this Assembly standing committee. As a mother and parent raising three children, our family very much appreciated the wonders of our state parks and I have a strong track record of support for parks and historic preservation in Queens and my district. Our fabulous state parks, trails and historic sites are an incredible resource for the people of New York as well as an important attraction for tourists from around the world. In this new role I will do everything possible to sustain and grow state funding for these resources so that they can be appreciated and enjoyed by New Yorkers of today and by future generations."
|
|
Utica Erie Canalway Trail "Closing the Gaps" roundtable
In mid-May, the Office of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, in collaboration with Parks & Trails New York, the NYS Canal Corporation and the Herkimer-Oneida County Transportation Study (HOCTS), convened in Utica the fourth in a series of "Closing the Gaps" roundtables. The focus of the meeting was to solicit and discuss options for the current 20-mile gap in the Erie Canalway Trail between Utica and Little Falls and the shorter connection from Erie Canal Village to downtown Rome.
More than 40 elected officials, community leaders and stakeholders attended the meeting and, after presentations on the challenges, costs and opportunities for bridging these gaps, shared their views on how to proceed. Subsequently, HOCTS facilitated a follow up meeting in June aimed at finding a structure to coordinate efforts and press for funding as opportunities arise.
|
|
Editorial touts potential value of bicycle tourism
In a recent editorial, the Schenectady Daily Gazette noted what PTNY has been saying for years: bicycle tourism, especially on the Canalway Trail, can have significant impacts on local economies. While achieving maximum benefit requires completing the trail, communities and businesses can capitalize on the growing number of bicycle tourists already drawn to the canal corridor by becoming "bicycle-friendly." To get started, see Parks & Trails New York's Bicyclists Bring Business: A Guide for Attracting Bicyclists to New York's Canal Communities. |
|
Bike ped projects create more jobs than road projects
A newly released study, "Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure: A National Study of Employment Impacts," finds that overall bicycling infrastructure creates the most jobs for a given level of spending. For each $1 million, cycling projects create 11.4 jobs. Pedestrian-only projects create about 10 jobs per $1 million and multi-use trails create 9.6 jobs per $1 million. Projects that include road construction and ped and bike elements create slightly fewer jobs. Road-only projects create the least, only 7.8 jobs per $1 million. |
|
Plans for Long Island Motor Parkway Trail a reality at last
It has taken many years and a considerable amount of advocacy on the part of Long Island historians and trail advocates, but at last Nassau County has released a plan to establish the Long Island Motor Parkway Trail tracing the route of the original Long Island Motor Parkway, created in 1906 by William K. Vanderbilt as a landscaped, limited access roadway.The County will also construct1.25 miles of trail as a demonstration project.
In addition to providing opportunities for close to home recreation for thousands of Nassau County residents, the trail will
serve as an important east-west alternative transportation link between communities and open space resources.
PTNY Director of Program and Policy Fran Gotcsik served as a member of the working group that helped develop the plan, but PTNY has been advocating for this project for more than a decade. In 2004, the trail was one of the first projects PTNY selected for assistance through its Healthy Trails, Healthy Program. In 2006, PTNY nominated the trail for Nassau County Environmental Bond Act funding, resulting in an award of $450,000 to complete the trail plan and demonstration project. |
|
NYC Park budget update
The final NYC Park budget of $233.4 million is $5 million less than the previous year, a smaller reduction than advocates feared. In the final budget negotiations $7.8 million was restored to fund playground workers, seasonal workers, and a job training program, and to keep all city pools open. Still, park advocates are holding their breath for the resolution of union negotiations, which could mean layoffs of permanent park staff. |
|
NYC harbor trail and greenway envisioned
As part of a vision for turning Gateway National Recreation Area in the NYC metropolitan area into a model urban park, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar recently announced that the National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with New York City and New Jersey agencies and local communities, will increase access to national parks in NY harbor. The extensive trail and greenway network will include development of a one-mile trail through Jacob Riis Park connecting the Rockaway peninsula with the Jamaica Bay Greenway. NPS also is developing the largest urban park campground in America at Floyd Bennett Field, with 90 traditional campsites and RV sites. |
|
Parks & Trails New York resources used in on-line guide
The California-based Institute at the Golden Gate has been working to create an on-line guide to share best practices for strengthening the connection between parks and health and has chosen to include a number of resources produced by Parks & Trails New York. |
|
Parks & Trails New York is a member of Earth Share 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. |
|
|
|
|
July 2011
Celebrating 25 years
of advocacy for New York's parks and trails
|
|
Support the parks and trails you love
Support Parks & Trails New York today with your secure online donation. Or send a tax-deductible contribution to: Parks & Trails New York, 29 Elk Street, Albany, NY 12207.
|
|
New recommendations ban hydro-fracking in parks, state forests
The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) released its revised recommendations for hydro-fracking. The recommendations prohibit surface drilling on state-owned land, including parks, forest areas and wildlife management areas. They also prohibit high-volume fracturing in NYC and Syracuse watersheds and primary aquifers, but permit it on privately held lands. DEC will issue regulations to codify these recommendations into law after a public comment period. |
|
Drilling for gas in parks?
An article in the latest National Recreation and Parks Association magazine entitled, "Fracktured Parks" examines the threat of hydro-fracking in parks. PTNY's quote in the article makes clear our position on the issue: No drilling or resource extraction in any park!
|
|
TrailFinder Trail of the Month
Glens Falls Feeder Canal Trail 
The Glens Falls Feeder Canal Trail is a nine-mile stone dust trail for walking and bicycling running between Queensbury and Fort Edward in the northern Capital region. The trail follows the historic feeder canal, offering glimpses of the canal's history as well as views of Vermont's Green Mountains. The Glen Falls Feeder Canal Trail is one of over 100 trails on Parks & Trails New York's TrailFinder. |
|
Cycle the Hudson Valley with us!
There is still time to sign up for Parks & Trails New York's Great Hudson Valley Pedal, but don't delay - space is limited! The 7th annual 6-day, 200-mile ride takes place August 16-21, through the picturesque and historic Hudson Valley. Register today!.
|
|
PTNY publications hot off the press!
The Annual Report and Spring GreenSpace Newsletter features an interview with Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey and a report on PTNY's capacity building grant program for grassroots park and trail groups.
The summer issue of Canalway Trail Times features an article about new Canal Corporation Director Brian Stratton and a look at a Canalway Trail Adopt-a-Trail group in Oneida County.
|
|
PTNY Job Opportunity
PTNY is seeking an energetic Project Coordinator to work with communities and organizations across the state to develop and promote trails, advocate for bicycle and pedestrian issues, and foster trail-related tourism. More information. |
|
State grants available for parks and trails
State Parks is soliciting applications from municipalities and not-for profit organizations for Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) grants for the acquisition, planning, development, and improvement of local parks and trails, historic properties, and heritage areas. Application deadline is September 1, 2011. Hudson Valley trail grants The Hudson River Valley Greenway Conservancy grants fund trail planning, construction and amenities, historic landscape preservation, and other resource enhancement and economic development projects. Special consideration is given to projects that seek to implement the Greenway Trail Vision. Applications due August 19. |
|
PTNY on TV
Watch a Parks & Trails New York Public Service Announcement currently running on TIme Warner Sports channels. |
|
New section of Manhattan's High Line opens
The High Line, the elevated park built on Manhattan's west side, opened a second section, extending its length to one mile. This urban trail features public art, food, innovative landscape design and a great view of Manhattan. |
|
Three miles of rail trail acquired in Hudson Valley
The Open Space Institute has acquired three miles of rail trail along the old O&W rail bed in the Sullivan County town of Mamakating. The trail runs north from the village of Wurtsboro to Route 209 and the D&H Canal Linear Park. The acquisition will further the development of a 140-mile network of recreational rail trails running through the Hudson River Valley and Catskills, which already includes the Dutchess Rail Trail, Walkway Over the Hudson, the Hurley Marbletown Rail Trail and the Accord Rail Trail. |
|
Safe Routes to School Partnership releases local policy guide
The new Safe Routes to School Local Policy Guide helps communities and schools create, enact and implement policies which will support active and healthy community environments that encourage safe walking and bicycling and physical activity by children. |
|
NYS fares poorly in bicycle friendly ranking
NYS came in 34th in the League of American Bicyclists' annual nationwide Bicycle Friendly State rankings. We've got a lot of work to do! |
|
Keep In Touch!
If you're not already on our email list, visit our website to join. |
29 Elk St. Albany, NY 12207
(ph) 518-434-1583
(fax) 427-0067
|
|
