Here’s some Earth Day news and happy quotes from the governor’s office regarding money for park improvements around the state, as well as a list of parks slated for upgrades (Notice the amount given to western New York, long a political priority for the governor) :
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced New York State will advance 69 projects to improve and repair 53 State parks and historic sites. The projects are part of a $90 million statewide commitment funded in the 2014-15 State Budget, marking the third year of the New York Works initiative to revitalize New York’s State park system, which will help connect our residents to nature, support recreational and tourism opportunities and demonstrate responsible stewardship of our celebrated state park system.
“As we celebrate Earth Day, we continue to invest in our parks and historic sites statewide,” Governor Cuomo said. “New York is proud to have the nation’s oldest State park system, and we will continue to do all that we can to preserve and guard these natural resources so that they can be enjoyed for generations to come.”
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Rose Harvey said, “Not only will this investment continue to make much needed repairs in cherished State Parks large and small, the Governor’s 21st century transformation of our park system will enhance our environment, preserve our heritage, connect people with healthy, active outdoor recreation, and rev the engines of local economies.”
The initiative provides renewed stewardship of New York State’s flagship State Parks, which highlight the State’s most unique natural treasures and are significant tourism destinations. This year’s funding will launch a multi-year $65 million plan to restore the historic and aesthetic grandeur of Jones Beach State Park on the Long Island Coast; continue a $50 million revitalization of Niagara Falls State Park, the oldest State Park in the nation; and build a nature center at Letchworth State Park to enhance visits to the spectacular gorge known as “the Grand Canyon of the East.”
This is the third year of a sustained commitment to revitalize the State park system launched by Governor Cuomo’s New York Works program. The first two rounds of New York Works leveraged a $265 million investment in the park system, making improvements at 81 State parks and sites.
Senator Betty Little said, “It’s fitting that we celebrate Earth Day by celebrating New York State’s spectacular park system. These capital dollars are breathing new life into beloved state parks and historic sites, supporting tourism, and helping improve the quality of life in communities across the state.”
Assemblywoman Margaret Markey said, “All New Yorkers will be delighted to see this continuing investment in our public parks and historic sites. I am proud we in the Assembly have helped insure that Governor Cuomo’s New York Works program continues to improve and revitalize our precious natural treasures and recreational resources.”
“Thanks to Governor Cuomo and the legislature, New York’s state parks are benefiting from one of the greatest periods of investment in their history,” said Erik Kulleseid, executive director of the Open Space Institute’s Alliance for New York State Parks. “On behalf of the more than 60 million people who visit state parks each year, we are grateful for the sustained commitment to a fully?restored, vibrant and inviting state park system.”
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 179 state parks and 35 historic sites, which are visited by 60 million people annually. A recent study commissioned by Parks & Trails New York found that New York State Parks generates $1.9 billion in economic activity annually and supports 20,000 jobs. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow on Twitter.
The 2014-15 projects are as follows:
Project
Capital Region: $8.675 million for nine projects in five parks/sites
Park
Project
Cost Estimate
John Boyd Thacher State Park
Construct Flagship Visitor Center (Matched with Significant Private Fundraising), Featuring New Exhibits, Multi-Purpose Spaces for Gatherings, and Visitor Orientation Services.
$3,800,000
Peebles Island State Park
Continue Historic Bleachery Building Stabilization and Restoration
$1,100,000
Olana State Historic Site
Olana Historic Site Improvements (Carriage Barn Visitor Restrooms, Security System Upgrades, Climate Control Improvements, Tower Woodwork and Painting.)
$950,000
Peebles Island State Park
Rehabilitate South Bridge (Red-Flagged) and Construct Waterline from Cohoes to Peebles Island
$675,000
Saratoga Spa State Park
Gideon Putnam Hotel Projects, Including Rehabilitation of the Hotel’s Roof
$500,000
Saratoga Spa State Park
Victoria Pool Area Improvements
$500,000
Saratoga Spa State Park
Expand Bike Paths
$400,000
Saratoga Spa State Park
Rehabilitate the Existing Geyser Creek Building to Serve as an Environmental Education Building
$375,000
Harlem Valley Rail Trail
Construct 1.2-Mile Trail Extension, Copake Falls to Orphan Farm Road
$375,000
Central New York: $5.2 million for five projects in one park
Park
Project
Cost Estimate
Green Lakes State Park
Rehabilitate Pine Wood Campground, Including Building Modern Family-Friendly Bathroom/Shower Facility, Updating Electric Service, and Improving Playground
$1,100,000
Green Lakes State Park
Park Gateway Improvements, Including Construction of New Park Office, Park Entrance, Park Police Facility, and Creating Safer Traffic Flow
$2,900,000
Green Lakes State Park
Improve Park Trails
$100,000
Green Lakes State Park
Sewage Treatment System Improvements (Health and Safety Improvement)
$200,000
Green Lakes State Park
Rehabilitate Golf Course Clubhouse and Pro Shop
$900,000
Finger Lakes: $7.8 million for 10 projects in six parks/sites
Park
Project
Cost Estimate
Letchworth State Park
Construct New Nature Center (Matched With Significant Private Fundraising) to Educate Visitors about the Park’s Natural History and Environmental Resources
$2,000,000
Sampson State Park
Construct 16 Full Service Rental Cottages, With Bathrooms, Kitchenettes and Views of Seneca Lake
$1,850,000
Hamlin Beach State Park
Yanty Marsh Area Improvements, Including New Picnic Area, Boat Launch and Nature Trail
$750,000
Letchworth State Park
Reconstruct Castile Park Entrance
$650,000
Ganondagan State Historic Site
Landscaping and Site Work for New Seneca Art & Education Center (Matched with Significant Private Fundraising)
$500,000
Letchworth State Park
Rehabilitate Historic Stone Masonry Trails and Stairs (Phase 1)
$500,000
Letchworth State Park
Park Roadway Repair & Resurfacing
$500,000
Genesee Valley Greenway
Greenway Trail Improvements
$500,000
Letchworth State Park
Bridge and Road Repairs
$360,000
Sonnenberg Gardens State Historic Site
Event Space Improvements
$200,000
Long Island: $25.58 million for 11 projects in 11 parks
Park
Project
Cost Estimate
Jones Beach State Park
First Year of Comprehensive Jones Beach Revitalization Initiative
$10,000,000
Robert Moses State Park
Rehabilitate Field 5 Swimming Beach Bathhouse
$5,000,000
Robert Moses State Park
Replace the Park’s Drinking Water Treatment Plant (Health and Safety Improvement)
$3,330,000
Hallock State Park Preserve
Construct Visitor Center, “Green” Parking Area, and Access Road and Trails to Provide Public Access to Undeveloped Park (Matched with Significant Private Fundraising)
$3,000,000
Multiple Parks
Replace Non-Compliant Cesspools in Belmont, Heckscher, Sunken Meadow, Robert Moses and Wildwood State Parks (Health and Safety Improvements)
$1,500,000
Hempstead Lake State Park
Park Improvements Plan
$1,250,000
Belmont Lake State Park
Install Energy Efficient HVAC Controls in the Administration Building
$725,000
Bethpage State Park
Improve Energy Efficiency of the Clubhouse’s HVAC System
$275,000
Orient Beach State Park
Replace Failing Drinking Water Line (Health and Safety Improvement)
$200,000
Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park
Construct “Green” Parking Area
$200,000
Multiple Parks
Tree Planting To Replace Trees Destroyed by Hurricane Sandy
$100,000
Mid Hudson: $6.27 million for nine projects in eight parks/sites
Park
Project
Cost Estimate
Rockland Lake State Park
Rehabilitate the North Swimming Pool Bathhouse
$2,000,000
Harriman State Park
Continue Renovation Of Children’s Group Camps
$1,000,000
FDR State Park
Rehabilitate Swimming Pool Bathhouse & Entry Plaza
$1,000,000
James Baird State Park
Install Golf Course Irrigation System to Improve Playing Conditions
$670,000
Fahnestock State Park
Continue Improvement of the Canopus Lake Welcome Center
$500,000
James Baird State Park
Park Drinking Water System Improvements (Health and Safety Improvement)
$400,000
Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site
Repair Stone Retaining Wall & Stairs
$350,000
Mills-Norrie State Park
Hoyt House Historic Preservation Improvements
$250,000
Staatsburgh State Historic Site
Upgrade Basement Electrical System (Health and Safety Improvement)
$100,000
Mohawk Valley: $4.645 million for four projects in four parks/sites
Park
Project
Cost Estimate
Delta Lake State Park
Upgrade the Campground’s Water And Electric Systems (Health and Safety Improvement)
$3,300,000
Hyde Hall State Historic Site
Upgrade Electric And Install Fire Detection/Security System (Health and Safety Improvement)
$600,000
Hudson-Mohawk Trailway
Replace Otsquago Creek Bridge in Fort Plain on the Erie Canal Trail (Destroyed by 2013 Flood)
$500,000
Erie Canalway Trail
Construct 4.6 Miles of Trail to Help Close Gap Between Amsterdam to Pattersonville (State Match of Federal Funds)
$245,000
New York City: $1.95 million for four projects in two parks/sites
Park
Project
Cost Estimate
Riverbank State Park
Create Improved Park Setting at 145th Street Bridge and Park Entranceway
$850,000
Roberto Clemente State Park
Begin Development of New Northern Synthetic Baseball and Football Field (Includes Design Costs)
$500,000
Riverbank State Park
Replace Ice Rink Building Roof
$350,000
Riverbank State Park
Replace Buckling Outdoor Basketball Courts
$250,000
North Country: $4.935 million for eight projects in seven parks/sites.
Park
Project
Cost Estimate
Wellesley Island State Park
Replace Outdated Swimming Beach Concession Building, Restrooms and Picnic Pavilion
$2,000,000
Wellesley Island State Park
Replace Electric System, Drinking Water System, and Roadways in the “F” Campground Area (Health and Safety Improvement)
$850,000
Higley Flow State Park
Replace Aging, Outdated Swimming Beach Bathhouse
$850,000
Pt. Au Roche State Park
Improve Boat Dock, Parking, and Mooring Area
$350,000
Jacques Cartier State Park
Construct Recreational Vehicle Sewage Collection Station (Health and Safety Improvement)
$250,000
Westcott Beach State Park
Upgrade Sewage Treatment System in Plateau Campground (Health and Safety Improvement)
$250,000
Rock Island Lighthouse State Park
Historic Boat House Stabilization and Repairs
$225,000
Black River Trail
Extend Black River Trail 1 Mile Toward Watertown. (State Match of Federal Funds)
$160,000
Southern Tier: $8.25 million for four projects in four parks/sites
Park
Cost Estimate
Watkins Glen State Park
Complete Redevelopment of Main and North Park Entrances to Improve Aesthetics, Traffic Flow, and Pedestrian Safety
$5,000,000
Stony Brook State Park
Replace Failing Drinking Water System (Health and Safety Improvement)
$2,250,000
Chenango Valley State Park
Repair and Resurface Park Roadways
$900,000
Taughannock Falls State Park
Stonework and Masonry Repairs – Gorge and Rim Trails
$100,000
Western New York: $19.2 million for eight projects in seven parks/sites
Park
Project
Cost Estimate
Niagara Falls State Park
Continue Niagara Falls Revitalization Initiative, including Landscape Plan Improvements at Terrapin Point and Construction of New Park Police Station
$9,000,000
New State Park on Buffalo Waterfront
Construct New State Park Improvements, Including Comfort Station, Playground, Picnic Pavilions and Landscaping
$5,000,000
Fort Niagara State Park
Replace Deteriorated Swimming Pool Bathhouse
$2,000,000
Allegany State Park
Rehabilitate Deteriorated Camp Turner Group Camp Cabin Colony
$1,000,000
Long Point State Park
Connect to Municipal Sewage System (Health and Safety Improvement)
$1,000,000
Allegany State Park
Repair And Resurface Park Roadways
$500,000
DeVeaux Woods State Park
Repair and Resurface Deteriorated Park Roads
$500,000
Old Fort Niagara State Historic Site
Next Phase: Historic Fort Masonry Repair
$200,000
The Capitol Confidential team: