Park Advocacy Day

 

Park Advocacy Day is an annual advocacy event hosted by Parks & Trails New York and the Open Space Institute. Traditionally, park supporters from across the state, dubbed “the green scarf brigade” gather in Albany to meet with state legislators to connect on the value our great parks bring to their constituencies, economy and community. 

SAVE THE DATE: 18TH PARK ADVOCACY DAY TO BE HELD FEBRUARY 7, 2024

Parks & Trails New York and the Open Space Institute invite you to join us in person on February 27, 2024 at the State Capitol in Albany to celebrate the 18th annual Park Advocacy Day, where we will meet with state legislators to connect on the value our state parks, greenway tails, historic sites, and other public lands bring to their constituencies, economy and community!

As valued partners across the state, your attendance is especially important this year as we will be advocating for funding for important capital needs during a critical year--2024 marks the centennial of the NYS park system! Will you help us reach our goal of 100 advocate for 100 years?

More details will be provided as we get closer to the event, and you can find updates on our website.

RSVP for Park Advocacy Day 2024

Park Advocacy Day 2023 Highlights

Park Advocacy Day

On Wednesday, March 8, with with 52 individuals representing 20 Friends groups, 5 partner organizations, and 7 state park regional commissions, we accomplished 35 legislative meetings.

Partner Sign-On Letter

Thank you to the 50+ partner organizations that signed-on in support of our legislative asks this year. Demonstrating a wide range of support for these asks will help us secure these critical and historic investments, ensuring that New York continues to provide the nation's premier outdoor recreational opportunities to its citizens and visitors.

Support for a $2 Million Park and Trail Partnership Grant

Thank you to all Friends groups of NYS parks, historic sites, and public lands who demonstrated support for maintaining the Park and Trail Partnership Grant Program at $2 million dollars by sharing your stories about how these grants have impacted your site and community. We received some incredible testimonials from every corner of the state and are encouraged by how much this funding has impacted your organizations and the lands that you steward. We will be sending this video montage (below) to legislative leaders as a follow-up to Park Advocacy Day.