Leading the fight for federal trails funding

Great Hudson Valley Pedal 2012

More than 150 cyclists and volunteers joined PTNY for our 8th annual Great Hudson Valley Pedal bike tour. Ranging in age from nine to 83 and hailing from 25 states and Canada, the cyclists set off on their 200-mile adventure on July 31 and arrived in NYC on August 5.  Rolling hills, vibrant orchards and vineyards, historic homes, and six fabulous bridge crossings combined to create a memorable experience for the cyclists.

This year's Great Hudson Valley Pedal marked the release of PTNY's new guidebook, Cycling the Hudson Valley.  A press event was held in Hyde Park on August 3, in the middle of the bike tour, at the FDR National Historic Site to announce the release of the guidebook. 

A new finish location at Brooklyn Bridge Park was very popular, as cyclists enjoyed spectacular views of Manhattan as they crossed the East River into Brooklyn to reach the park.

News from State Parks

State Park Visitation Soars

Photo courtesy of Ric Vrana

More visitors to parks and historic sites is great news for our state park system and the local communities that benefit from the economic boost and jobs these special places provide. But it also means increased wear and tear on aging facilities and increased maintenance needs on an agency already stretched thin. Upgrades and rehabilitation efforts are happening across the state thanks to Governor Cuomo's NY Works Fund, which supplied the largest infusion of capital funding to state parks in history. PTNY looks forward to working with the Governor and the Legislature to keep this momentum going in 2013 and beyond so New York's treasured places can continue to welcome visitors in droves. 

Kings Park demolition begins

After some delays, the demolition of 15 deteriorated buildings at the former Kings Park Psychiatric Hospital began in August. Once the buildings are removed, the grounds -- now part of Nissequogue River State Park -- will be restored. Learn more and stay up-to-date on the progress of the project through a new website.

Expanded Empire Passport coming soon

"For many New Yorkers, state parks offer countless recreational opportunities, and foster an important appreciation for the great outdoors while offering families an affordable alternative to costly travel. The three-year and five-year Empire Passport will serve as a money saver for many avid park goers, while also serving as an important investment to help maintain park infrastructure,"  said Senator Serrano.

For comprehensive news on New York's state park system and the Friends groups that support it, see the summer issue of "You Gotta Have Friends." 

Thank you to our Green Partner - 

First Niagara Bank

Living up to its motto, "We live here.  We work here.  We make a difference here," First Niagara is committed to giving back to its communities.  PTNY and New York's Erie Canalway communities have first-hand experience of this commitment as First Niagara was the Official Bank Sponsor of PTNY's 2012 Cycling the Erie Canal  bike tour.

The bank supported the ride, the more than 500 riders, and the Upstate communities we visited on our eight-day journey from Buffalo to Albany, and participated in the community celebrations PTNY hosted along the way.

First Niagara has more than 425 branches, approximately $38 billion in assets, and about 6,000 employees providing financial services to individuals, families, and businesses across Upstate New York, as well as in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.

Bicyclists Bring Business! roundtable and bikearound Oct 11/12

Western New York residents, government and agency officials, and business owners can discover how to appeal to and profit from bicycle tourists visiting the Erie Canalway Trail and the region's many other trails at a free roundtable, "Bicyclists Bring Business!" to be held Wednesday, October 10, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Hoag Library in Albion.  Learn more about the demographics and needs of the bicycle tourist as well as tips for making communities and businesses more bicycle-friendly and attractive to other outdoor recreationalists.  Attendees will receive a copy of Parks & Trails New York's guidebook, "Bicyclists Bring Business: A Guide for Attracting Bicyclists to New York's Canal Communities."

Corning Inc. gives back to the community with downtown park

The 10-acre park, which will be owned and maintained by the company, will include a tree-lined area with open, grassy interior space; shade, flowering and evergreen trees; a half-mile paved walking trail; and an ornamental fence and benches.

Construction started in May 2012 and will be completed next spring.  Corning elected to build the park, located one block from historic Market Street, under the guidelines of the Brownfield Cleanup Program administered by the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation. 

"We feel creating a large park at the former plant site in the heart of the city is the best use for that property," said Dan Collins, Corning Vice President for Corporate Communications. "A city block in Corning that once housed a manufacturing facility is about to take on an entirely new role in the community, as it becomes green space for all to enjoy."

Parks, trails and sustainability    

Governor Cuomo has set in motion a new regional sustainability planning effort. The initiative is part of the Cleaner, Greener Communities Program, a $100 million competitive grant program to encourage communities to develop regional sustainable growth strategies. There are two stages of the program: in stage one, 10 regions of the state will develop comprehensive sustainability plans; in stage two, funding will be provided on a competitive basis for implementation of specific projects that help achieve the plans' goals.

Heads up! Upcoming grants

PTNY Growing the Grassroots capacity-building grants

PTNY's Growing the Grassroots capacity-building grants have helped dozens of park and trail groups strengthen their organizations. The next round of applications will be announced on September 18. Be on the lookout for an email, or visit our website for updates. 

Small grants for Erie Canalway Corridor projects

The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, in partnership with the Erie Canalway Heritage Fund, is offering a number of small grants, from $2,000 to $7,000, for projects that advance the goals and strategies of the Erie Canalway Preservation and Management Plan. Applications available Sept 10, with an Oct. 12 deadline.

Technical assistance grants support cultural and historic resource projects

The Preservation League of New York State's Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) program provides grants up to $3,000 for nonprofits and municipalities to undertake conditions surveys, engineering/structural analyses, feasibility/reuse studies and conservation studies to preserve New York State's cultural and historic resources. Deadline for applications is October 1.

Canal Splash!  

Champlain Canal and the Revolutionary Road to Saratoga

As part of Canal Splash!, PTNY staff participated in the inaugural 25-mile guided bicycle tour of the Champlain Canalway Trail corridor on August 12.  Revolutionary War historic sites and Champlain Canal features were highlights of the tour, including Hudson Crossing Park, Champlain Canal Lock 5, the Schuyler House, the Champlain Canalway Towpath Trail, and Saratoga National Historic Park.

What better way to experience the area's rich history and the beauty of the Canal than by bicycle.  And what better way to advance the vision of a continuous Champlain Canalway Trail route from Waterford to Whitehall.  Read more about this vision in the Champlain Canalway Trail Action Plan.

NYS acquires largest single addition to Adirondacks in a century 

Thanks to a landmark acquisition, outdoor enthusiasts will soon get to explore parts of the Adirondacks that have been closed to the public for 150 years. Governor Cuomo announced in August the state's acquisition of 69,000 acres of the former Finch Pruyn and other Nature Conservancy (TNC) lands throughout the Adirondacks. The entire 69,000 acres will become part of the "forever wild" Forest Preserve, the largest single addition to the Adirondack State Forest Preserve in more than a century.

New and old memories of Allegany mingle on I Love My Park Day

While celebrating I Love My Park Day at Allegany State Park, volunteers with the Allegany State Park Historical Society and park staff experienced a pleasant surprise.  Patricia Cudzilo of Hamburg, N.Y. stopped by the park after seeing the restoration that was being done at the Sweet Water Spring, a place she had visited with her family as a small child.

She was unaware of the special activities happening for I Love My Park Day, but was happy to see the restoration occurring at the same spot she'd been with her family so many years before. 

"I just couldn't believe it! I went by it and I started crying, I was so surprised.  I could just picture my family sitting by the falls,"  said Cudzilo,

Ms. Cudzilo and her daughter continue to come to the park annually and appreciate how well-kept the park is.

Before saying goodbye, Ms. Cudzilo had her picture taken in front of the restored spring while holding the photo of herself and her mother in the same spot from so many years ago.