Register today for Finger Lakes trails and greenways conference

Registration is 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.

Friday's field trips and reception and Saturday's program
are 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.

News from State Parks

Roberto Clemente pool complex gets makeover

Roberto Clemente State Park in the Bronx celebrated the opening of an enlarged and modernized pool and aquatic complex. The $20 million was covered by the NYC mitigation fund resulting from construction of a water treatment plant in Van Cortlandt Park, also in the Bronx. 

Other improvements to the park through the mitigation fund include rehabilitation of the basketball courts, replacement of a pedestrian plaza, and construction of a green roof to reduce the heat level within the building and improve energy efficiency.

Roberto Clemente State Park is a 25-acre waterfront park located along the Harlem River in the Bronx that welcomes over 1 million visitors annually.

State Parks seeking partners at Knox Farm

State Parks is requesting expressions of interest for adaptive reuse of unused structures and facilities at Knox Farm State Park in East Aurora south of Buffalo.

According to State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey, the agency is seeking partners --- individuals, foundations, philanthropists, businesses, or park user groups --- who have a vision for the park and the capacity to capitalize on the park's unique resources, a 14,400-square-foot main house and an equestrian area that includes a 11,200-square-foot horse barn. The 633-acre park is the former country estate of Buffalo's renowned Knox Family. Read more.   

Improvements considered at Joseph Davis 

A local corporation formed to oversee development at Joseph Davis State Park after management of the park was handed over to the Town of Lewiston in Niagara County has endorsed a series of "conceptual" projects that it believes would make the park more attractive to residents and visitors.  

The improvements, which would be subject to review by State Parks and the Town of Lewiston, include a new boat launch and access road to the waterfront in the area closest to the Niagara Gorge, and a nature center, marine biology research and cultural center, and campground on the park's eastern side. Read more.  

PTNY capacity grant grows membership of Friends of Rockland Lake and Hook Mountain

The Friends of Rockland Lake and Hook Mountain used a capacity building grant from Parks & Trails New York to produce and mail a new membership brochure that generated very positive results for the organization, which is dedicated to preserving the history and natural resources of Rockland Lake and Hook Mountain and Nyack Beach State Parks. The group experienced the greatest one-year membership revenue increase in its seven-year history including a 50% increase in membership renewals and in the number of new members.

"As a small all-volunteer non-profit, support from an organization like Park and Trail's is so very important," said Robert Maher, President of the friends group.

New round of PTNY capacity grants available soon

Applications for a new round of PTNY capacity building grants will be announced at the end of September. Park and trail groups will be able to apply for up to $3,000 to assist with activities associated with organizational start-up and development, training, communications, and volunteer recruitment and management. For more information, email  Parks & Trails New York or call 518-434-1583. 

Cycling the Erie Canal 2011 a hit

More than 500 cyclists joined us this July on our 13th annual Cycling the Erie Canal bike tour. Spirits were high under bright, sunny skies as the cyclists embarked on a journey from Buffalo to Albany which will surely remain a fond memory for years to come.

Highlights of the trip included warm receptions, bustling campgrounds, live music, canal museums, historic sites, boat tours, delicious food, new and old friends, enthusiastic volunteers, and 400 miles of some of the most beautiful scenery New York has to offer. Photos from the tour can be found on PTNY's Flickr and Facebook site.

Bicyclists hailed from 36 states, Canada and Great Britain. Both the young and young at heart, ranging in age from six to 89, enjoyed the sights and sounds of pedaling across the state. For more than one-third of the participants this was their first bike tour.

People sign-up for Cycling the Erie Canal for many reasons: to achieve a personal goal, to support New York's parks and trails, to learn more about our state's history, to have fun.... the list goes on and on. Each year, riders experience the tour in many different ways. We even had a couple celebrate their honeymoon on the tour!

Special thanks go to the cyclists and volunteers who make Cycling the Erie Canal so exciting and fun each year.

Read some of the articles from this year's tour.

Federal funding for bike and ped projects threatened

There is still very little action on a multi-year transportation bill that would provide funding for bicycle and pedestrian programs. The House and Senate have been working for two years, but nothing much has happened. Now Congress has recessed until the second week in September. It is unclear whether it will produce a new bill soon or instead opt for extensions of the existing SAFETEA-LU legislation and not complete a new bill until into 2012 or even 2013.

Until a new bill is approved, bicycle-pedestrian improvements and programs such as Safe Routes to School should continue to receive funding according to the provisions of the current SAFETEA-LU, which provides strong funding and policy support for bicycling. We are still waiting to hear whether NYSDOT will announce another round of Transportation Enhancements funding.

Because gas tax revenues are down, there is less money available to fund the new legislation so both houses are talking of consolidating programs and eliminating the requirement for states to spend a percentage of their allocation on non-highway activities such as bicycle and pedestrian trails.

Congressman John Mica of Florida, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has called for the elimination of dedicated funding for biking and walking programs, as they "do not serve a federal purpose." Senator James Inhofe of Oklahoma, a senior member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, said that one of his top three priorities for the next multi-year federal transportation bill is to eliminate "frivolous spending for bike trails."

Let your Congressional representative and Senator know the importance of bicycle and pedestrian funding to the health, quality of life, and economy of your community. While your lawmakers are in recess, it is a perfect time to visit their district offices and invite them to join you for a walk on a trail made possible by federal transportation funding. Contact your lawmakers today.

Funding for park and trail projects

North Face Explore Fund

The outdoor gear company North Face is awarding grants of up to $2,500 to nonprofit organizations that help children connect to nature, increase access to front and backcountry recreation, and provide education for both personal and environmental health. The deadline to apply is October 5.  

Saucony Run For Good

The Saucony Run For Good Foundation is accepting applications for its grant program to nonprofit organizations that initiate and support running and fitness programs for kids. The foundation has two grant cycles per year, with up to seven awards granted each cycle. Application deadline is December 13.

Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) 

There is still time to apply to State Parks for grants for the acquisition, planning, development, and improvement of local parks and trails, historic properties, and heritage areas. Application deadline is September 1.

Erie Canalway 

The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor will soon announce a call for grant applications to fund projects that advance the goals of its Preservation and Management Plan. Grants will range from $2,000 to $7,000 and must be matched one-to-one by the recipient. Applications will be available on September 12, 2011.