Celebrating Western New York Grantees
PTNY staff was on the move last month through western New York to celebrate some of the remarkable projects funded by a Round 7 Park and Trail Partnership Grant. We visited a variety of grant recipients, including state parks, historic sites, and DEC lands to acknowledge projects that are about to launch and to cut the ribbons on those successfully completed.
Our first stop was with Rochester Community Inclusive Rowing, a dedicated volunteer-run group that partners with DEC to provide water access and activities with a focus on veterans and those with disabilities. This event allowed us to view the successful completion of two funded projects that will significantly increase accessibility to Black Creek. A floating dock funded by a Round 6 Park and Trail Partnership Grant was initially installed and the group realized the pathway leading to the dock was in dire need of improvements for wheelchair access and successfully applied for a Round 7 project. The ribbons were cut and a big check presented among smiling faces to acknowledge the success of these two complementary projects.
The next stop brought us just south of Rochester to magnificent Letchworth State Park. With the awe-inspiring gorge as our background, members of the Friends of Letchworth gathered along with park staff and management to celebrate their $10,750 award to restore the historic stone picnic tables built by the Civilian Conservation Corp nearly 100 years ago. This is yet another Park and Trail Partnership Grant that builds off a formerly awarded project. The initial project funded the study to properly restore these irreplaceable objects.
Our trip then took us to the very northwest tip of New York State to an historic gems: Old Fort Niagara. This impressive site with spectacular views of a vast Great Lake spread out before it contains an incredible collection of buildings, artifacts, and other structure. Two of the buildings, the redoubts, are in much need of repair.
The Old Fort Niagara Association realized this need, applied for funding through the Park and Trail Partnership Grant program, and were awarded $75,000 to help preserve the two 18th century structures. At a well-attended ceremony we presented a big check to the Association as hundreds of visitors passed by to witness the presentation. State and local elected officials said a few words at the podium, along with NYS Parks staff, members of the Old Fort Niagara Association, and Parks & Trails New York trustees, all while safely guarded by two 18th century soldier reenactors.
The Park and Trail Partnership Grant program is about to launch its Round 8 application process in mid-September. This year’s doubling of awards to $2 million will undoubtedly yield another group of exceptional projects next year that will greatly enhance the stewardship, accessibility, appearance, and promotion of our wonderful New York State parks, historic sites, and public lands. Please check our website for the eligibility requirements and list of over 160 previously awarded projects.