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 & Trail Partnership Grants aim to support New York State parks, trails, and public lands through various initiatives. These initiatives include improvements in preservation, stewardship, and promotion, as well as increasing the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations involved in these areas. The grants also focus on promoting outdoor recreation to stimulate tourism and economic development across the state. Professional Development Grants, part of this program, are designed to boost the professional capacity of Friends organizations by supporting the hiring of permanent staff. This could be for a first hire, additional staff to fill critical roles, upgrades to full-time positions, or shared staff between organizations. The goal is to help these organizations reach greater levels of professionalism and stability, ensuring they can continue their contributions to the community independently. Grants can reach up to $100,000 for a two-year period, requiring a 20 percent cash match from the recipient.