PTNY Fights for Significant Investment in Ailing Flagship Parks Ahead of Centennial Year

As you’ve probably heard, 2024 marks the New York State Parks System’s Centennial Year!

Celebrations will abound across the state–from special programming to events and more–in commemoration of these iconic natural spaces and their unique cultural and historical significance. While Parks & Trails New York is excited to host our own Centennial celebrations next year, this milestone creates a once-in-a-century opportunity to collectively reflect on the current needs of our park system… and develop a collaborative vision for the next 100 years.

During 2023, our team has been hitting the road to get a deeper, first-hand understanding of the capital needs of our parks. While our State Parks System has seen significant investment over the last decade (thank you advocates!), some of the most popular–and widely used–facilities are unfortunately shuttered due to critical infrastructure issues. We found many beautiful spots during our “parks tour,” but one thing we also discovered: more has to be done to ensure all New Yorkers have access to outdoor recreational opportunities and the amazing benefits they bring.

In total, PTNY estimates $3.5 billion is needed to fully realize a premier, nation-leading park system… That’s quite a substantial number, but also an incredibly crucial investment.

To prioritize impact, we focused on the “big uglies:” projects that would not only significantly improve our park system and visitor access and experience, but also require an investment two-to-three-times larger than can be covered by State Parks’ annual capital budget.

A handful of flagship projects meet these criteria including Lake Sebago in Harriman State Park, the East Bathhouse at Jones Beach, Riverbank State Park in Harlem, and the proposed High Falls State Park in downtown Rochester. These projects in particular are poised to transform local communities and increase accessibility for everyone, especially historically minoritized groups who’ve experienced severely reduced access to public green spaces. While the price tag may seem large, the outsized value–for visitors today and the generations to come–make these investments critical for the wellbeing of all New Yorkers.

Lake Sebago, for example, has been closed to swimmers since it was decimated by back-to-back tropical storms, Irene and Lee, in 2011. Prior to its closure, this beach facility served millions of visitors a year and was a major destination for families from the Hudson Valley to NYC. In its heyday, Lake Sebago welcomed as many as 15,000 patrons a day in the balmy summer months. Since its closure, the only other surrounding swimming sites, also found in Harriman State Park, have consistently needed to close due to capacity issues. In addition, issues like algal blooms have kept swimmers looking to escape NYC’s heat island from the benefits of public swimming, picnicking, and green space.

As the statewide advocate for New York’s parks, PTNY is working with our partners, supporters, and other advocates and stakeholders to highlight these popular assets’ needs ahead of the Centennial Celebration. Over the past year our team has been building our case with key decision makers to ensure these sites are a top priority in 2024. Our 18th annual Park Advocacy Day, Tuesday Feb. 27 in 2024, will bring together and catalyze advocates–from professionals to grassroots volunteers–in our push for the crucial investment of $500 million dollars over three years. This critical, one-time funding injection will stand alongside our push for an annual $250 million in capital funding for our state park system. While this is just a small portion of the overall need, we are confident it is a request that will move the needle forward and capitalize on the biggest opportunities ahead of us.

Beyond these specific capital funding requests, our other budget priorities also center the goal of creating more accessible public lands. Our broad advocacy coalition, aptly dubbed “100 advocates for 100 years of parks,” will underline the need for continued support of the Environmental Protection Fund, including our Park and Trail Partnership Grant program to support grassroots groups, and the Connect Kids and Municipal Parks Programs. In addition, we will urge support for the Department of Environmental Conservation’s much-needed capital funding, to ensure all our public lands are welcoming and accessible. Our focus on these crucial investments will keep these critical needs–not to mention the communities relying on our public green spaces–top of mind with legislators in a potentially tough budget year.

Parks & Trails New York has always been there to respond quickly in the fight for our parks, historic sites, and public lands. We are looking forward to reviewing the Governor’s proposed budget, released in January, and rallying our robust network of advocates to ensure the next 100 years see a true revival of our state park system.

Check out our complete budget priorities here, and follow our socials for opportunities to help us advocate for the best system of public green space… for all New Yorkers!