Albany, NY - April 23, 2014 - 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:
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Capital Region: $8.675 million for nine projects in five parks/sites |
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Park |
Project |
Cost Estimate |
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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 |
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Peebles Island State Park |
Rehabilitate South Bridge (Red-Flagged) and Construct Waterline from Cohoes to Peebles Island |
$675,000 |
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Saratoga Spa State Park |
Gideon Putnam Hotel Projects, Including Rehabilitation of the Hotel’s Roof |
$500,000 |
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Saratoga Spa State Park |
Victoria Pool Area Improvements |
$500,000 |
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Saratoga Spa State Park |
Expand Bike Paths |
$400,000 |
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Saratoga Spa State Park |
Rehabilitate the Existing Geyser Creek Building to Serve as an Environmental Education Building |
$375,000 |
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Harlem Valley Rail Trail |
Construct 1.2-Mile Trail Extension, Copake Falls to Orphan Farm Road |
$375,000 |
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Central New York: $5.2 million for five projects in one park |
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Park |
Project |
Cost Estimate |
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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 |
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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 |
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Green Lakes State Park |
Improve Park Trails |
$100,000 |
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Green Lakes State Park |
Sewage Treatment System Improvements (Health and Safety Improvement) |
$200,000 |
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Green Lakes State Park |
Rehabilitate Golf Course Clubhouse and Pro Shop |
$900,000 |
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Finger Lakes: $7.8 million for 10 projects in six parks/sites |
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Park |
Project |
Cost Estimate |
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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 |
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Sampson State Park |
Construct 16 Full Service Rental Cottages, With Bathrooms, Kitchenettes and Views of Seneca Lake |
$1,850,000 |
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Hamlin Beach State Park |
Yanty Marsh Area Improvements, Including New Picnic Area, Boat Launch and Nature Trail |
$750,000 |
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Letchworth State Park |
Reconstruct Castile Park Entrance |
$650,000 |
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Ganondagan State Historic Site |
Landscaping and Site Work for New Seneca Art & Education Center (Matched with Significant Private Fundraising) |
$500,000 |
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Letchworth State Park |
Rehabilitate Historic Stone Masonry Trails and Stairs (Phase 1) |
$500,000 |
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Letchworth State Park |
Park Roadway Repair & Resurfacing |
$500,000 |
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Genesee Valley Greenway |
Greenway Trail Improvements |
$500,000 |
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Letchworth State Park |
Bridge and Road Repairs |
$360,000 |
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Sonnenberg Gardens State Historic Site |
Event Space Improvements |
$200,000 |
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Long Island: $25.58 million for 11 projects in 11 parks |
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|
Park |
Project |
Cost Estimate |
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Jones Beach State Park |
First Year of Comprehensive Jones Beach Revitalization Initiative |
$10,000,000 |
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Robert Moses State Park |
Rehabilitate Field 5 Swimming Beach Bathhouse |
$5,000,000 |
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Robert Moses State Park |
Replace the Park's Drinking Water Treatment Plant (Health and Safety Improvement) |
$3,330,000 |
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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 |
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Multiple Parks |
Replace Non-Compliant Cesspools in Belmont, Heckscher, Sunken Meadow, Robert Moses and Wildwood State Parks (Health and Safety Improvements) |
$1,500,000 |
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Hempstead Lake State Park |
Park Improvements Plan |
$1,250,000 |
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Belmont Lake State Park |
Install Energy Efficient HVAC Controls in the Administration Building |
$725,000 |
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Bethpage State Park |
Improve Energy Efficiency of the Clubhouse's HVAC System |
$275,000 |
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Orient Beach State Park |
Replace Failing Drinking Water Line (Health and Safety Improvement) |
$200,000 |
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Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park |
Construct "Green" Parking Area |
$200,000 |
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Multiple Parks |
Tree Planting To Replace Trees Destroyed by Hurricane Sandy |
$100,000 |
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Mid Hudson: $6.27 million for nine projects in eight parks/sites |
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Park |
Project |
Cost Estimate |
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Rockland Lake State Park |
Rehabilitate the North Swimming Pool Bathhouse |
$2,000,000 |
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Harriman State Park |
Continue Renovation Of Children's Group Camps |
$1,000,000 |
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FDR State Park |
Rehabilitate Swimming Pool Bathhouse & Entry Plaza |
$1,000,000 |
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James Baird State Park |
Install Golf Course Irrigation System to Improve Playing Conditions |
$670,000 |
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Fahnestock State Park |
Continue Improvement of the Canopus Lake Welcome Center |
$500,000 |
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James Baird State Park |
Park Drinking Water System Improvements (Health and Safety Improvement) |
$400,000 |
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Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site |
Repair Stone Retaining Wall & Stairs |
$350,000 |
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Mills-Norrie State Park |
Hoyt House Historic Preservation Improvements |
$250,000 |
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Staatsburgh State Historic Site |
Upgrade Basement Electrical System (Health and Safety Improvement) |
$100,000 |
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Mohawk Valley: $4.645 million for four projects in four parks/sites |
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Park |
Project |
Cost Estimate |
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Delta Lake State Park |
Upgrade the Campground's Water And Electric Systems (Health and Safety Improvement) |
$3,300,000 |
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Hyde Hall State Historic Site |
Upgrade Electric And Install Fire Detection/Security System (Health and Safety Improvement) |
$600,000 |
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Hudson-Mohawk Trailway |
Replace Otsquago Creek Bridge in Fort Plain on the Erie Canal Trail (Destroyed by 2013 Flood) |
$500,000 |
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Erie Canalway Trail |
Construct 4.6 Miles of Trail to Help Close Gap Between Amsterdam to Pattersonville (State Match of Federal Funds) |
$245,000 |
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New York City: $1.95 million for four projects in two parks/sites |
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Park |
Project |
Cost Estimate |
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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 |
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Riverbank State Park |
Replace Ice Rink Building Roof |
$350,000 |
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Riverbank State Park |
Replace Buckling Outdoor Basketball Courts |
$250,000 |
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North Country: $4.935 million for eight projects in seven parks/sites. |
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|
Park |
Project |
Cost Estimate |
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Wellesley Island State Park |
Replace Outdated Swimming Beach Concession Building, Restrooms and Picnic Pavilion |
$2,000,000 |
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Wellesley Island State Park |
Replace Electric System, Drinking Water System, and Roadways in the "F" Campground Area (Health and Safety Improvement) |
$850,000 |
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Higley Flow State Park |
Replace Aging, Outdated Swimming Beach Bathhouse |
$850,000 |
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Pt. Au Roche State Park |
Improve Boat Dock, Parking, and Mooring Area |
$350,000 |
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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 |
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Rock Island Lighthouse State Park |
Historic Boat House Stabilization and Repairs |
$225,000 |
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Black River Trail |
Extend Black River Trail 1 Mile Toward Watertown. (State Match of Federal Funds) |
$160,000 |
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Southern Tier: $8.25 million for four projects in four parks/sites |
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|
Park |
Project |
Cost Estimate |
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Watkins Glen State Park |
Complete Redevelopment of Main and North Park Entrances to Improve Aesthetics, Traffic Flow, and Pedestrian Safety |
$5,000,000 |
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Stony Brook State Park |
Replace Failing Drinking Water System (Health and Safety Improvement) |
$2,250,000 |
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Chenango Valley State Park |
Repair and Resurface Park Roadways |
$900,000 |
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Taughannock Falls State Park |
Stonework and Masonry Repairs - Gorge and Rim Trails |
$100,000 |
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Western New York: $19.2 million for eight projects in seven parks/sites |
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|
Park |
Project |
Cost Estimate |
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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 |
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New State Park on Buffalo Waterfront |
Construct New State Park Improvements, Including Comfort Station, Playground, Picnic Pavilions and Landscaping |
$5,000,000 |
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Fort Niagara State Park |
Replace Deteriorated Swimming Pool Bathhouse |
$2,000,000 |
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Allegany State Park |
Rehabilitate Deteriorated Camp Turner Group Camp Cabin Colony |
$1,000,000 |
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Long Point State Park |
Connect to Municipal Sewage System (Health and Safety Improvement) |
$1,000,000 |
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Allegany State Park |
Repair And Resurface Park Roadways |
$500,000 |
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DeVeaux Woods State Park |
Repair and Resurface Deteriorated Park Roads |
$500,000 |
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Old Fort Niagara State Historic Site |
Next Phase: Historic Fort Masonry Repair |
$200,000 |