Grants for 22 Not-For-Profit Groups to Sustain Parks, Trails and Historic Sites  

Builds on Unplug and Play Strategy to Promote Healthy Recreation 

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Department of Environmental Conservation and Parks & Trails New York today announced 22 not-for-profit groups across the state will receive $1.7 million in grants to support the stewardship of state parks, trails, historic sites, and other public lands through the Park and Trail Partnership Grants program. The grants support public private partnerships for maintenance and beautification projects as well as educational programming and special events.

The Park and Trail Partnership Grants program is funded through the state Environmental Protection Fund. Grants are administered in partnership with the not-for-profit advocacy group Parks & Trails New York and the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation.

This tenth round of awards will be matched by more than $500,000 in private funds, exceeding the 10% recipients are required to raise. With record-breaking visitation to state parks and historic sites, these public-private partnerships are invaluable to the increasingly popular public lands and the staff who oversee them.

Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said, “It’s so exciting to see our friends’ groups benefit. Thanks to Governor Hochul’s leadership, these awards really help with emphasizing our middle name, ‘recreation.’ These partnership grants are a true testament to how we come to work each day to keep these lands open and operating for all to enjoy.”

State Department of Environmental Conservation Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, "From environmental education and stewardship to recreational access, Friends groups and partner organizations play a critical role in supporting beloved state lands and facilities across New York. The $1.7 million in grants announced today strengthens this important work to protect natural resources, enhance visitor access, and inspire the next generation of conservationists."

Parks & Trails New York Executive Director Paul Steely White said, “With grants ranging from just under $5,000 to $300,000 and spanning from the Adirondacks to Long Island–the Park and Trail Partnership Grant program reaches every corner of the state. In the program’s most competitive year yet, these groups rose to the top with compelling projects created to make a meaningful impact on the communities and individuals who need public lands most. These vital projects will attract millions of visitors by creating new trails and footpaths, developing educational programs, and constructing ADA accessible bathrooms, just to name a few. We’re proud to continue investing in the growth of park programming and infrastructure that lays the groundwork for long-term stability, so New Yorkers can enjoy our state's protected lands for years to come.”

Capital Region

Friends of Five Rivers ($22,975) to create a conducive learning environment for the maple season experience through improved heating and other equipment, supplies, and materials needed for the Five Rivers sugar shack and maple programs.

Friends of Grafton Lakes State Park ($9,256) to rehabilitate the Fire Tower by repairing broken steps and all decking in the cab and platforms, replacing protective wire around the entire structure, and repainting the cab.

Friends of U.S. Grant Cottage ($300,000) for the construction of the Overlook Trail which will provide a safe, accessible pedestrian trail from the Visitor Center and Grant Cottage to the Eastern Overlook destination.

Finger Lakes

Finger Lakes Trail Conference ($26,774) to embark on a strategic planning process that will facilitate a refresh of the organization's mission, vision, and values, align staff and stakeholders, and strengthen partnerships to create a more sustainable and inclusive organization.

Friends of Hamlin Beach State Park ($135,000) for the first phase upgrades to convert an existing building into a multi-use facility that will meet the needs of the Friends group and Parks programming staff.

Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park ($17,114) for interpretive signs to tell more of the background of the 54-acre public gardens and history of the Thompson Estate.

Long Island

Caumsett Foundation, Inc. ($150,000) for the creation of a new, permanent Executive Director position that will support the board, administration, fundraising, marketing, and programming at the Caumsett State Historic Preserve.

Friends of Connetquot ($25,740) to research the Connetquot Riverbank Native American Community by exploring archaeological and historical records. Park visitors will learn about the lives and stories of these families through the creation of an informational booklet and a printed timeline, which will be available at the site for public engagement.

Friends of Heckscher State Park ($15,000) for start-up legal fees and insurance costs for the new organization, a consultant-led development of a 5-Year Plan, and to fulfill all obligations for a Memorandum of Agreement with New York State Parks.

Friends of Orient Beach ($180,000) to engage a professional coastal shoreline consultant to document issues and recommend long term measures that address the erosion of Orient Beach State Park entrance road shoreline to prevent future road/utility destruction and park closures.

Mid-Hudson

Catskill 3500 Club, Inc. ($4,798) for a Trailhead Stewards Program that will focus on engaging visitors with Leave No Trace principles, share relevant DEC regulations, and communicate pertinent information, such as weather conditions to improve sustainability and promote safe hiking.

Palisades Park Conservancy ($200,700) for site design plans for the bird aviary section of the Trailside Museums and Zoo at Bear Mountain State Park, along the Appalachian Trail.

Friends of Philipse Manor Hall ($33,472) for a comprehensive organizational capacity-building plan to ensure long-term stability and productiveness by strengthening public engagement, expanding fund-raising avenues, board training, and the formulation of a 3-year strategic plan.

Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct ($42,498) to remove graffiti from structures located in different parts of the trail and to use this visible action to make neighbors aware of the organization and to raise funds to clean all the ventilators and weirs in the future.

Little Stony Point Citizens Association ($31,538) to convert the existing bathroom structure into a fully ADA accessible bathroom -- such will support volunteers and guests with disabilities and help attain full certificate of occupancy.

New York City

Four Freedoms Park Conservancy ($150,000) for a juried public art commission program that invites artists to create site-specific works that establish a dialogue between the artist's practice, Louis Kahn's architecture, the ideals of the Four Freedoms, and visitors to FDR Four Freedoms State Park.

Friends of Gantry Plaza State Park ($7,894) to support the weekly volunteer weeding groups by providing native and resilient non-native perennials for two planting beds in high-traffic areas of the park.

North Country

Adirondack Rail Trail Association ($150,000) to create a permanent Executive Director position that will implement the organization’s vision and work with the board and members in helping DEC and the adjacent municipalities maintain and promote the Rail Trail.

Boondockers Sno-Club ($22,109) for tractor attachments and implements to boost adaptability and productivity in trail maintenance endeavors for public lands in the Adirondacks.

Western New York

IMPACT: Friends Improving Allegany County Trails, Inc. ($99,414) for drainage and trail improvements providing better accessibility for equestrians, hikers, and cross-country skiers on public lands in Phillips Creek and Turnpike State Forests.

Artpark & Company ($55,000) for “The Artpark Experience” – a field trip program for school aged children focused on ecology, sustainability, social justice, race equity and culture through the arts led by a variety of local teaching artists. Other activities include animal encounters, gorge hikes, geology talks, and history walks centered around Artpark as a site for First Nations people and a stop on the Underground Railroad.

Friends of Reinstein Nature Preserve ($20,717) to improve the Woodland Garden enclosure by installing a gate for easy visitor access, creating a footpath with educational signage, and planting native plants to promote the regeneration of the forest space.

The Park and Trail Partnership Grants support group efforts to raise private funds for capital projects, engage in maintenance and beautification projects, build capacity within the eligible non-profit organizations, create needed permanent staff positions, and provide educational programming and special events that promote public use of the parks. Since 2015, this competitive grant program has funded 245 projects totaling $9.9 million in awards and leveraging over $3 million in private funding across 10 rounds.

The grants complement Governor Hochul’s efforts to encourage outdoor recreation. The FY26 Executive Budget proposes $2.5 million for the Park and Trail Partnership grant program, an increase of $500,000. The FY26 Executive Budget also proposes $200 million for State Parks to invest in and aid the ongoing transformation of New York’s flagship parks and support critical infrastructure projects throughout the park system. The Governor’s new Unplug and Play initiative also earmarks $100 million for construction and renovation of community centers through the Build Recreational Infrastructure for Communities, Kids and Seniors (NY BRICKS), $67.5 million for the Places for Learning, Activity and Youth Socialization (NY PLAYS) initiative helping New York communities construct new playgrounds and renovate existing playgrounds; and an additional $50 million for the Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS) initiative supporting municipalities in the renovation and construction of swimming facilities.

Parks & Trails New York is the leading statewide advocate for New York's public lands for 39 years, PTNY has worked with grassroots groups to strengthen public-private partnerships and improve health, economy, and quality of life through the use and enjoyment of green space. For more information, visit www.ptny.org.