Nov 16 deadline for capacity building grants

PTNY is offering a new round of Capacity Building Grants for park and trail groups to enable them 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.  Funds can be used to assist with activities associated with organizational start-up and development, training, communications, and volunteer recruitment and management.  The deadline for submitting applications is November 16, 2011.

PTNY capacity grant boosts membership for Friends of Taconic State Park

The Friends of Taconic State Park used its second capacity-building grant from PTNY to update its website with more photos and easier navigation tools and add several new user functions that make it easier to become a member, join the mailing list, or link to Twitter and Facebook.  In just a few short months, the group has received almost 60 new memberships and is well on the way to reaching its goal for the year of 100 new members. 

"Funding from Parks & Trails New York has been a huge boon to our membership base," said Deborah Cohen, Treasurer of the Friends.  

News from State Parks

Sterling Forest expands

An additional 462 acres of new state parkland was recently opened in Monroe, NY, along the Appalachian Trail in Sterling Forest State Park. This strategic acquisition is exciting because it will significantly enhance the Appalachian Trail corridor and viewshed by creating a protected land buffer along the northern edge of Sterling Forest and because it expands outdoor recreational opportunities for the millions of residents of the New York metropolitan area. The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference was a key partner in the acquisition.

Bear Mountain Inn reopening

The Bear Mountain Inn in Bear Mountain State Park is one of the architectural jewels of the state park system and a familiar landmark for many visitors. The Inn recently underwent extensive renovations to restore its original rustic splendor and keep its proud designation on both the National and New York State Register of Historic Places.  The Palisades Park Conservancy will host a grand reopening of the inn on November 11.

Built in 1915, the building's distinctive rustic style complements its forested site above the Hudson River in Rockland County. The Inn was constructed using natural materials, including stone and logs found in the park. The Inn's interior is outfitted with handcrafted chairs, sofas, tables, light fixtures, and other accessories all made of natural materials.

Camping photo contest - say s'mores!

Two state agencies are teaming up to highlight the best of New York's great outdoors. State Parks and the Department of Environmental Conservation are holding a joint camping photo contest.

The six contest categories are: camping set-up; water sports; campfire; sunrise/sunset; seasons, and nature. Finalists will be determined by a process including top vote getters through social media and a selection committee.

Grassroots efforts stressed at fifth Close the Gaps roundtable organized by Senator Gillibrand

Almost 40 persons filled the Clyde Fire Hall for the fifth in a series of Erie Canalway Trail Close the Gaps roundtables sponsored by the Office of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in partnership with the New York State Canal Corporation, Parks & Trails New York, and the Western Erie Canal Alliance (WECA).  The roundtable was designed to gather input on how to complete the 24 miles of Erie Canalway Trail between the Wayne County Village of Clyde and the Cayuga County Village of Port Byron.  The group stressed the importance of utilizing grassroots efforts to accomplish smaller projects while still pursuing federal, state, and private grants for larger efforts.  WECA agreed to serve as convener for follow up meetings that will focus on short- and long-term route options and funding sources that can help close the gap.  Read the meeting notes. 

Bicyclists Bring Business workshop hosted in Little Falls

In late October, Parks & Trails NY and the NYS Canal Corporation held the 10th Bicyclists Bring Business roundtable in Little Falls in the Mohawk Valley. More than 50 people attended representing interests from avid cyclists to local business owners, redevelopment advocates, and elected officials.  Regardless of their background, the attendees were eager to share and discover the best methods to encourage more cyclists to visit their area.  While the eight-mile gap in the Canalway Trail to the west of Little Falls was noted as a deterrent to some cyclists, much of the discussion focused on how best to cater to the unique needs of cycling tourists while enhancing their visit.  Readily available information on lodging, rest facilities, and parking were among some of the factors noted as being essential.  For a more complete summary of the meeting please click here.

Information concerning local efforts to bridge the Little Falls trail gap may be found on the Facebook page for the CNY Erie Canalway Trailblazers. Also check out PTNY's Bicyclists Bring Business handbook.

Good turn-out for walk on proposed western New York trail

Dogs and families turned out in abundance for an opportunity to experience the colors of fall and preview the 2.4-miles of former Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad corridor in the Village of Springville.  The abandoned rail bed is slated to become the Pop Warner Trail section of the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, which is proposed to extend from Orchard Park south of Buffalo to northern Cattaraugus County in western New York. 

The event, which drew more than 120 persons, was sponsored by the Village and the Springville Area Chamber of Commerce, with support from the Pop Warner Trail Steering Committee and Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. (ECRT), with permission of the corridor owner, Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad. 

Thank you to our Green Partner - Cayuga Medical Center

Cayuga Medical Center,founded a century ago to serve Ithaca, has grown from a small local hospital to a state-of-the-art medical center serving Tompkins, Cortland, Seneca, and Tioga counties.  The Medical Center's Cayuga Center for Healthy Living (CCHL) assists people with chronic health problems make lifestyle changes that enhance their ability to live active and full lifestyles.  The CCHL is moments away from the Cayuga Waterfront Trail, Black Diamond Trail, and Cass Park.

Grants help trail projects move forward

Current and former PTNY Healthy Trails, Healthy People projects
have recently received grants.

The Kingston Land Trust was the recipient of a $10,000 grant from the Hudson River Valley Greenway. The Land Trust will use the funds, along with a $10,000 Community Development Block Grant, to develop a trail plan for a 1.5-mile stretch of former rail line that it wishes to develop into a rail trail to connect downtown Kingston with the Hudson River waterfront. The Land Trust was also awarded a technical assistance grant by the National Parks Service's Rivers and Trails Conservation Assistance program. 

The Friends of the Albany County Rail Trail (FORT) also has received a $10,000 grant from the Hudson River Valley Greenway. The funds will be used to develop a comprehensive graphic communication system for educational and interpretive materials including trail signs, points of historical and environmental interest, kiosks, and maps for the Albany County Rail Trail. In addition, FORT received a $2500 grant from the Hudson-Mohawk Road Runners Club for trail surface material.

Bike/ped facilities in, mass transit out in new fast-track plan for Tappan Zee Bridge

A decade ago the State of New York recognized the need to rehabilitate the Tappan Zee Bridge, located in the Lower Hudson Valley. Since then, studies have suggested the bridge be reconstructed with mass transit and bike/pedestrian accommodations to increase travel modes.

Earlier this month Governor Cuomo initiated a fast-track design and approval process for the bridge which eliminates provisions for dedicated bus rapid transit lanes and passenger rail.  Fortunately the new scope does provide dedicated bicycle and pedestrian facilities on one span of the proposed two-span project.

PTNY submitted a support letter in 2006 requesting that the project include bike and pedestrian accommodations so we are pleased with the inclusion of bike and pedestrian access in this most recent plan.  However, we believe the inclusion of mass transit connections will provide better access to surrounding communities, including several trails and state parks in close proximity to the bridge.

The comment period for this project will be open until November 15. Check out the project website for more about the revised reconstruction plan and how to submit feedback.