Breaking Down Barriers to Greenway Trail Development

One of our core beliefs at Parks & Trails New York is that every single New Yorker deserves to have easy access to safe, high-quality greenway trails.

But barriers like lack of funding, regulatory red tape, and the absence of formalized processes make it difficult to expand and care for our state’s trail network. That’s why PTNY is working hard to create resources–and pass ground-breaking legislation–to support the development of greenway trails reaching every corner of the state.

New tool for trail lovers: Trails Across New York: A Grassroots Guide to Developing Greenway Trails

Have you ever looked at an abandoned rail line, canal towpath, or even a utility corridor and thought: “this would make a great trail?” It can be challenging to know where to start, so PTNY has created a new handbook to help grassroots advocates understand the process and needs to take the dream of a new multi-use path from concept to reality.

Already home to over two thousand miles of greenway trails, New York State has the potential to nearly double its greenway trail network, expanding opportunities for outdoor recreation and active transportation to millions more New Yorkers. But growing our trail network is only possible with the vision and dedication of local advocates, municipal leaders, and planners who recognize the benefits of developing a trail in their community and work devotedly to make it happen.

PTNY’s new Trails Across New York guide walks advocates and trail planners through the steps needed to see a greenway trail to completion. The first section outlines the necessary steps to get a project started–from identifying the corridor to cultivating a vision that will help inspire engagement and public support, eventually leading to buy-in from state and/or local government. The second section walks through the trail planning and development process, including conducting a feasibility study for a trail, securing the corridor through purchase or easements, identifying grant funding opportunities, and finally getting the project designed, permitted and built. Finally, the guide provides guidance for maximizing the ongoing visitation and value of local trails once they are built.

Download the full Trails Across New York: A Grassroots Guide to Developing Greenway Trails for free at ptny.org/greenwaytrails.

Visionary legislation: Greenway Trails for a Green Future Package

As the primary advocate for greenway trails in New York State, PTNY has led the charge for decades. And we are proud of our achievements. From closing the biggest gaps in the Erie Canalway Trail, creation of the Empire State Trail, spurring the development of countless community trails, and pushing for the finalization of a Statewide Greenway Trails Plan, we have been busy.

Since the official “launch” of the Empire State Trail in 2020, we have noticed that our trail network isn’t living up to its full potential. Unfortunately, safety hazards for trail users and thousands of miles of potential, but unrealized, trail corridors are constant reminders that we can do better.

In order to address these issues, PTNY identified seven priority issues that can be addressed with legislation. These priority areas fall under two umbrellas: enhancing trail user safety and experience, and breaking down barriers to trail development.

In November 2023, Assemblymember Patricia Fahy introduced the Greenway Trails for a Green Future package, containing seven bills that, if passed, could have the biggest impact toward improving New York’s greenway trail system. With the kick-off of the 2024 legislative session in January, now is the time to make some noise about these transformative initiatives.

Some of the most high-impact bills in the package include legislation to make developing powerline corridors into greenways easier, create opportunities to use local roadway maintenance funding for active transportation infrastructure, and require detours be posted on the Empire State Trail when there are trail closures.

PTNY is committed to ensuring New Yorkers–and those who are drawn to our state by our world-class public green space network–have the BEST opportunities for all the benefits outdoor recreation provides.

Like where we’re going with this? Join us in building on this amazing vision.

Head over to our advocacy page to learn more about the seven bills and tell your legislators to support them!