Press Release
May 05, 2008
Contact:
Eileen Larrabee
Dan Keefe
518.486.1868
Statement by Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Carol Ash on the State Budget
The revitalization of New York state parks and historic sites is underway!
Thanks to the leadership of Governor David Paterson and the Legislature, the 55 million people who visit New York's state parks and historic sites each year will begin to see real improvements in the coming months. The state budget allows us to move forward with a $132 million capital improvement spending plan for our parks and historic sites - a plan comprised of the State Parks Infrastructure Fund (SPIF), as well as federal grants, legislative items, private contributions, and mitigation projects.
This investment marks the single largest capital infusion in the history of the state park system, and will jumpstart the revitalization of New York's 178 state parks and 35 historic sites.
After more than a decade of underinvestment, we now begin to address the extensive capital needs of our parks system - needs that have been estimated at approximately $650 million. We ask our patrons to be patient with any inconveniences they may encounter, as local contractors, plumbers, electricians, engineers, architects and other small businesses get to work on improving and repairing these facilities.
The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is deeply grateful for the partnership of Governor Paterson and the Legislature in the revitalization of our state parks and historic sites, which contribute so much to the vitality and economy of our communities. With this capital funding increase, our state leaders have continued their long tradition of protecting New York's scenic beauty, recreational opportunity, historic significance and the economic potential of our world-class state parks system. We look forward to strengthening this partnership for many years to come.