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, funded through the NYS Environmental Protection Fund, offers capacity-building matching grants aimed at preserving and enhancing the value of New York State parks, trails, state historic sites, and public lands. This includes increasing sustainability, effectiveness, productivity, and support for not-for-profit organizations in their stewardship roles. The grants also aim to bolster tourism and economic development through outdoor recreation.
Stewardship and Public Access Grants are directed towards projects enhancing public interaction and support for these sites. This can involve improvements in public access, educational and recreational initiatives to build community and engagement, shared consulting services for organizational growth, and development of outreach or marketing plans to increase community access and enjoyment. Examples of eligible projects span from building rehabilitation to the creation and maintenance of trails and signage, with a focus on projects that exclude major construction or rehabilitation efforts. Funding support goes up to $150,000 with a requirement for a 10 percent match of the total project budget, allowing for up to 50 percent in-kind contributions.