SPEAKING OUT FOR PARKS We—the citizens Parks’ needs for more resources will not be resolved by smarter budgeting alone. We— the who use and care No Turning Back citizens who use and care about our parks— The Campaign to Restore and Enhance our Parks have to speak out. about our parks— The Governor has proposed $100 million in essential Without an engaged citizenry working together funding for New York’s deteriorated state parks in to advocate for parks, there will inevitably be a have to speak out. drift of state resources away from parks and 2008-2009. Our citizens’ campaign is working to ensure toward other needs that do have advocates. that this funding is included in the final state budget. New York needs—and Parks & Trails New York is committed to organizing and supporting—a strong citizens’ Campaign for Parks, a voice for all New Yorkers who New York State’s system of state parks is an bathrooms; and many buildings, parking lots unmatched legacy—an asset that offers endless and playing fields are seriously deteriorated. care about our parks. opportunities for outdoor recreation, and preserves priceless landscapes and ecosystems for Though parks account for less than one half of one percent of the total New York State budget, The promise held in the future generations. But it’s a system that needs help. that small proposed executive state budget investment for 2008-2009 must be just the In 2006, after a year-long study of the state of the delivers major beginning of a multi-year state’s park system, Parks & Trails New York benefits to New published a special report, Parks at a Turning Point Yorkers. initiative to revitalize our (available at www.ptny.org). We magnificent but neglected state found very dedicated staff—and The recreational park system. The hard work is OVERVIEW major infrastructure problems, opportunities still ahead of us. the result of years of parks afford are ♦ Parks & Trails New York’s 2006 underfunding. important to the Let there be no turning back. health and well- Parks at a Turning Point Here is the current situation: FDR State Park report found aging, deterio- being of our Duct tape can hold a park system together only so long. rated, unsafe, and closed facili- Over the past 12 years the citizens. The ties and more than two dozen state park system expanded by tourism and new “parks” that hadn’t been more than 25 percent, adding lifestyle assets Chittenango Falls State Park opened to the public. 26 new parks. Yet, when they deliver are adjusted for inflation, the important to the efforts to rebuild our state’s ♦ Recent analysis has found that About Parks &Trails NEW YORK capital budget decreased by 50 economy, especially Upstate. park capital needs are percent during the same about $650 million. period. (See chart, page 3) ♦ Governor Spitzer has proposed The park system as a whole is Parks & Trails New York, a non-profit organization, works a $100 million capital Years of underinvestment and deferred maintenance have clearly at a turning point, when statewide to protect New York’s parks and help initiative for state parks in resulted in a backlog of capital 2008-2009. further delays in making essential communities create new parks. Our mission is to expand, projects that the parks agency protect and promote a network of parks, trails, and open ♦ The Legislature must estimates to be $650 million. investments could do real damage spaces throughout our state for use and enjoyment by all. include the entire $100 million in capital funding in the final The impacts of the funding to its long-term viability. state budget. backlog are painfully apparent. Visitor facilities have been Join our Campaign for Parks—help us build a statewide grassroots ♦ There must be a multi-year shut down because of safety What has been accomplished since we issued Parks coalition to press for major capital funding and ongoing operating commitment to fund the $650 or health problems; some at a Turning Point? The short answer: some very budgets that will restore and enhance New York State’s park million in parks’ capital needs. heavily used parks have good things—but there’s much more to be system. Call us today. Or visit our website: www.ptny.org. damaged or inadequate done.
29 Elk Street Albany, New York 12207 (518) 434-1583 www.ptny.org Parks & Trails NEW YORK ♦ March 2008 A NEW DIRECTION $5 million at Niagara Falls State Park, $4 million at Allegany State Park, and $3.6 million at Saratoga Spa Eliot Spitzer took over as Governor in 2007 with a State Park, with the remainder of the $100 million platform that, among other things, committed the divided among hundreds of other projects new administration to better stewardship of the throughout the state. state’s environmental and recreational resources: He appointed Carol Ash, an experienced FUNDING SOURCES environmental professional and former director This year, as in past years, New York State is facing of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, as difficult financial conditions. But this is no reason the Commissioner of OPRHP. to abandon our state park system in its time of Commissioner Ash, in turn, embraced the Roberto Clemente State Park in the Bronx needs need. Our state leaders must revive the long and $16 million to rebuild the deteriorating bulkhead Adjusted for inflation, state parks’ capital budget today is 50 findings of Parks at a Turning Point and on which it sits. percent less than it was in 1992. proud tradition of support for New York’s public began a determined pursuit of the resources open space by providing the necessary funds, this needed to address the problems outlined in our The Governor has proposed adding 32 new staff Shortly after Commissioner Ash took the reins at year and in the coming years, to restore our state report. at OPRHP. These positions, along with the 52 OPRHP she began to research and document the park system to a condition the people of New York State expect, deserve, and can be proud of. As a result of years of underinvestment and positions added in last year’s state budget, are an agency’s capital needs. An analysis by the new team deferred maintenance, the total backlog of park important first step in rebuilding OPRHP, which at OPRHP determined that the needs are about Other sources of funding, such as private support, capital needs is estimated at $650 million. lost more than 250 staff positions in the last $650 million over the next five years. must also be vigorously pursued to bolster the decade. state’s multi-year parks revitalization initiative. For fiscal year 2008-2009 the Governor has OPRHP has divided these needs into four Private investment in state parks is not a new proposed $100 million in capital funding for OPRHP has developed a list of nearly categories: concept. In fact, the New York State park system park infrastructure. When added to capital 300 ready-to-go projects in more 1. Health and Safety Projects— has been the beneficiary of private philanthropy funding from other sources the total proposed than 100 parks statewide to be including sewage infrastructure, We hope that the 2008-09 from individuals, foundations and “friends” park capital budget for fiscal year 2008-2009 is implemented as part of the $100 dams, electrical systems and budget will be seen in the organizations for more than a century. $147 million. million capital initiative in fiscal bulkheads; years ahead as a turning year 2008-2009. It is also essential to reverse the severe downward 2. Rehabilitation of Existing point—when New York State trend over the past several decades of the federal A report card on Facilities—including campgrounds, began to make the Land & Water Conservation Fund, the primary our recommendations A TURNING POINT boat launches, visitor centers, investments necessary to source of federal funds for state parks. New York’s This year’s proposal to add $100 comfort stations and roads; 5= Done 4= Not done = In progress give New Yorkers the outdoor Congressional delegation must be made aware of million in capital funding is a major 3. Development of New Facilities— the tremendous capital needs of New York’s state first step in the right direction, but opportunities they have a right to expect, and to pass including improvements needed to park system and of how important parks are to their Develop a five-year capital plan for New similar annual investments over the make newly acquired properties constituents. York’s state parks. the park system on in top next five years will be required to viable as parks; and In addition, a comprehensive and invigorated Increase taxpayer support for parks by at overcome the years of shape for future generations. least the same rate as the overall increase 5 underinvestment and deferred 4. Natural Resource Stewardship— marketing plan to boost park attendance will, in in state General Fund spending. maintenance that plague our state But the job is including restoration of habitats turn, increase revenue on an ongoing basis. parks and historic sites. just beginning. and ecosystems, and eradication of Strengthen environmental stewardship in park planning and operations. invasive species.
URGENT CAPITAL NEEDS The agency’s list of nearly 300 projects for Our state leaders must revive the long Use park revenues to enhance taxpayer 4 Based on the information available at the time, our fiscal year 2008-2009 includes capital needs in and proud tradition of support for New funding — not to supplant it. each of the state’s 11 park regions. Clearly, 2006 report recommended a $300 million, five-year York’s public open space by providing capital plan for parks to repair infrastructure and the park system’s problems are major—and Enhance educational materials and programs for park visitors. address needs that were developing each year. This statewide. the necessary funds to restore our state recommendation was endorsed by newspapers park system to a condition the people Develop a comprehensive parks marketing Highlights of the proposed project list for 2008- across the state—a number of which did their own of New York State expect, deserve, plan to increase attendance. stories on parks in their regions, confirming our 2009 include major investments of nearly $15 findings. million at Roberto Clemente State Park, $10 million and can be proud of. Develop and support a network of non-profit at Bear Mountain State Park and $9.4 million at “friends” groups for parks. Letchworth State Park. The list also includes over
Parks & Trails NEW YORK ♦ March 2008 Parks & Trails NEW YORK ♦ March 2008