The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) released a revised Draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement along with Proposed High-Volume Hydraulic Fracturing Regulations in September and is accepting comments on both until January 11. While the proposed regulations include a recommendation that surface drilling be banned on state-owned lands -- including parks and trails -- oil and gas lobbyists are calling on the Governor and the state to rescind the ban.

Parks get boost from state leaders

While full details are yet to come on these initiatives, PTNY applauds the administration and legislative leaders for recognizing the strong connection between economic vitality and outdoor recreational opportunities.

PTNY's report, The NYS Park System: An Economic Asset to the Empire State, showed that parks annually contribute $1.9 billion to the state's economy - a five-to one return on investment.

Read our letter to the editor in the Buffalo News and Syracuse Post Standard about the inclusion of parks in the new $1 billion state Infrastructure Investment Act.

Progress in plugging Canalway Trail gaps

 

  A new report from PTNY   

  and the Canalway Trails  

  Association New York  

  (CTANY) cites the  

  progress being made to 

  close the five remaining 

  gaps in the 365-mile Erie  Canalway Trail connecting Albany and Buffalo.

Closing the Gaps: A Progress Report on the Erie Canalway Trail notes that the campaign to "Close the Gaps," initiated by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in the fall of 2010, has generated dramatically renewed interest in completing the trail among citizens, community leaders, and elected officials at all levels of government. In 2011, more than 200 persons participated in roundtables in Syracuse, Lockport, Utica, and Clyde. Each roundtable has spawned local follow up meetings and a number of working groups focused on discovering "out of the box" solutions to the unique challenges associated with discrete segments of the larger trail gaps.

Who's on the Canalway Trail?

Report cites Erie County section for record-setting visitation 

In August and early September volunteers stationed along the Erie Canalway Trail tallied the number of walkers, cyclists, joggers, and other users as 

part of the seventh annual Canalway Trail Count.  This year's Count revisited the 

popular Sims Store and Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct sites in Camillus east of Syracuse and two new sites -- Henpeck Park in the Town of Greece near Rochester and Niawanda Park in the City of Tonawanda in Erie County.

Using the  National Bike and Pedestrian Documentation Project methodology, PTNY produced annual use estimates for each site.  While all four locations exhibited significant use, Tonawanda's Niawanda Park far exceeded expectations.  Located between the Niagara River and a residential area, this portion of the Canalway Trail set the record for the highest traffic estimate for any portion of the Trail--605,000 users annually.  This is more than double the amount determined in 2010 at Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct, the previous record holder.  

A complete analysis of this year's trail count can be found in the 2011 edition of Who's on the Canalway Trail?

Park and historic site Friends get together 

More than 60 state park and historic site enthusiasts from Friends groups in the Saratoga/Capital Region met at Saratoga Spa State Park in December. Like the three gatherings held across the state in October, this meeting was an opportunity for networking and information sharing. Participants exchanged ideas and discussed ways to build capacity and to work more collaboratively to promote the park system.

Keeping the conversation going

Members of state park and historic site Friends groups can now keep the conversation going all year long. PTNY has started an online discussion forum for Friends organizations across the state to communicate with each other - sharing ideas, asking advice, learning from one another and building the strength of our parks movement. Join the discussion today (once there, click on "Join this group" in the right-hand column).

Copenhagen trail starts the New Year on a great note 

Nearly 40 people braved sub-zero temperatures to attend the first public meeting for the Munger's Mills Trail in the Lewis County Village of Copenhagen on January 3rd.  The Copenhagen Trail Committee presented the first concepts for the 1.5-mile loop trail, which will use village sidewalks, a utility line, and school grounds to connect to a Village-owned parcel on the Deer River that will serve as a trailhead and gateway park.

Parks and trails receive funding through Regional Economic Development Councils

PTNY has worked hard to establish that parks and trails are good for the economy.  And we're succeeding.  Many park and trail projects, as well as canalway and historic preservation projects, were funded through the Regional Economic Development Councils initiative, which distributed $785 million statewide to drive economic growth and create jobs.  

As part of the Regional Council process, a Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) was created to give businesses and organizations streamlined and expedited access to economic development funding from nine state agencies and 29 existing programs.

Find out which park, trail, canalway, and historic preservation projects were funded.  View all the awards here.  

Mark your Calendars!

EPF Lobby Day - February 13

The Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) is New York State's dedicated source of funding for critical environmental programs that protect what we love about New York - including our magnificent parks. The EPF is overdrawn and a new cash infusion is needed to make good on state promises. Join the Friends of New York's Environment - a coalition of more than 100 environmental, public health, agricultural, recreational and urban groups, including PTNY - for the annual EPF Lobby Day on Monday, February 13 in Albany. Click here for more info. 

Park Advocacy Day - March 6

Are you looking for a way to show your support for state parks and historic sites? Join Parks & Trails New York, the Alliance for NYS Parks and park supporters from throughout the Empire State at our 6th annual Park Advocacy Day on Tuesday, March 6 in Albany. 

This is a great opportunity to advocate for the protection and funding of New York's magnificent but struggling state park system. Your participation will help bring home the importance to lawmakers of keeping ALL New York state parks open, well-maintained, and protected.

Your home isn't the only thing that warrants a spring cleaning.  Grab some friends and neighbors and join in the Canal Clean Sweep the weekend of Earth Day, April 20-22.  Last year over 90 community clean-up events were held throughout the NYS Canal System.

Not only will your community benefit from a beautiful waterfront, but soon visitors will again be flocking to the corridor.  Company is coming; how will they remember your piece of the Canal?

Already planning an event? Please let us know.  

Show state parks and historic sites some love! I Love My Park Day is an exciting new statewide event to bring visibility to the entire state park system and its needs. On Saturday, May 5, volunteers will celebrate and improve park lands and beaches, plant trees and gardens, restore trails and wildlife habitat and carry out site-improvement projects across the state.

PTNY, in collaboration with State Parks, will coordinate the event at the statewide level, with cleanup, improvement and beautification projects organized by local state park and historic site friends groups and park staff.

Trail Works accessible trail allows everyone to enjoy nature

Trail Works, a Wayne County trails organization, has been involved in much trail construction, but its latest effort is special.  The Leigh Ann's Butterfly Trail, a quarter-mile stone dust trail located behind the Lyons community center, is a fully accessible trail and thus able to be used by people like Leigh Ann, a young nurse who is wheelchair-bound as a result of an accident.