What’s at stake?
Scenic Hudson is grateful for the one-time infusion of $100 million in new capital funds into our state parks system as part of the New York State Parks centennial celebration. However, the $200 million allocation on an annual basis falls short of the overall need for funding, and is a decrease from the $250 million that was allocated in FY 2022-2023.
Even as the state makes the extraordinary $100 million investment, the Parks Capital Fund needs a baseline appropriation of at least $250 million annually for the next decade. This level must be sustained — to address climate change through smart management of state parkland, site renewable energy to help state parks become carbon neutral, address the backlog of deferred maintenance, maintain the state’s national leadership in connecting people to nature and outdoor recreation, and meet goals for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
