The program is co-administered by Parks & Trails New York and the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Its mission focuses on enhancing the preservation, stewardship, interpretation, maintenance, and promotion of New York State’s parks, trails, state historic sites, and public lands. Additionally, it aims to increase the sustainability, effectiveness, productivity, and volunteer and fundraising capabilities of not-for-profit organizations dedicated to these areas while promoting tourism and economic development through outdoor recreation.
The Park and Trail Partnership Grants program aims to bolster New York State parks, trails, historic sites, and public lands by enhancing preservation, stewardship, interpretation, maintenance, and promotion. It focuses on increasing the sustainability, effectiveness, productivity, and volunteer and fundraising capabilities of not-for-profit organizations that support these areas. Additionally, it seeks to promote tourism and economic development through outdoor recreation by expanding a connected statewide network of parks, trails, greenways, and public lands. The Capacity and Organizational Effectiveness Grants within this program are intended to strengthen the capacity and expertise of organizations supporting New York State's outdoor spaces through various projects, including strategic planning, board/staff development, and marketing initiatives. These grants aim to improve organizations' reach, effectiveness, and impact, with one-year grants up to $100,000 being offered, requiring a 10 percent match of the total project budget.