More Enhancements to Parks, Historic Sites, and Public Lands on the Way

The 9th round of Park and Trail Partnership Grants (PTPG) has been awarded!

From snowy trails in the Adirondacks to engaging programs at historic sites in western New York, 27 nonprofit organizations caring for our state parks, historic sites, and public lands will benefit from over $1.8 million in grant funding this year.

Since its launch in 2015, the Park and Trail Partnership Grants program has funded 222 projects, awarding a total of $8.1 million to more than 90 nonprofit organizations. Highlighting the strength and longevity public/private partnerships create, Round 9 recipients have leveraged a promised $300,000 in matching funding, increasing the grants’ impact by leaps and bounds.

Projects funded in Round 9 focus on expanding diversity for visitation, information, and programming in our state parks, historic sites, and education centers. At the Rogers Environmental Education Center in Sherburne, NY, a newly-created Community Engagement Coordinator position will help spotlight New York’s Native American history through developing culturally relevant and appropriate educational programming. Perry Ground–an internationally known Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) cultural educator and storyteller pictured left–will work with the Friends of Letchworth State Park to produce a series of high-quality videos portraying Haudenosaunee life at the popular state park in central New York. The Frank Lloyd Wright Martin House in Buffalo will research, design, and implement programs to broaden audience and increase engagement through the hire of a Curatorial Associate. This position will focus on creating more place-based connection by building partnerships with organizations from the locally diverse community.

Further centering First Nations’ impactful role in the history and present of NYS, Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS) is partnering with the Shinnecock Nation to create exhibits highlighting eastern Long Island’s natural resources from the perspective of Native American tradition and contemporary scientific study. Grant funding will produce permanent outdoor exhibits and interpretive signage, as well as video recordings of Tribe representatives, marine biologists, and naturalists. These presentations can be used to supplement visitor center exhibits and promote future conservation and outreach events at Hallock State Park Preserve. A day-long NYS Parks Centennial Salute Celebration is also in the works to acknowledge Long Island’s natural history, First Nations heritage, and conservation.

Many more funded projects focus on increased accessibility for visitors, highlighting trail restoration and ADA compliance. Looking to increase access to water-based recreation, the Friends of Point au Roche State Park are installing an adaptive kayak launch system at the head of Deep Bay in Lake Champlain for individuals with all mobilities. The Boutwell Hill Ski Club in the Allegany region is rehabilitating a popular cross-country trail with the goal of providing year-long access for hikers, runners, cyclists, equestrians, and skiers of all abilities.

Yet other projects focus on the celebration of New York State Parks’ Centennial Year. Hosting a “once in a lifetime event” on April 8, Knox Farm State Historic Site (outside Buffalo) will celebrate the Centennial and a major celestial event with “EAclipse.” Not to miss out on commemorating the history of New York’s public lands, Little Stony Point Citizens Association will install interpretive signage informing visitors about the previous 100 years of NYS parks, hosting a Centennial-themed ribbon cutting ceremony for the project. More 100th anniversary events and information can be found on the NYS Parks Centennial webpage.

And don’t miss out! The 10th round of Park and Trail Partnership grants opens this spring with applications due toward the end of the summer (we’re providing a three-month window!). If you’re in a group serving NYS public lands and considering applying, speak now with your site manager about your proposed project so that everyone is on board when the applications open.

Learn more about the Park and Trail Partnership Grants or read the January 5 Governor’s press release announcing the awards.