New York State Council of Parks

State Council of Parks Releases 2025 Annual Report

February 27, 2026 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The State Council of Parks has released its annual report for 2025. An important advisory body, the State Council of Parks is made up of Regional Commissions that addresses matters affecting parks, recreation and historic preservation in New York.

This newly released report demonstrates how State Parks made it easier for New Yorkers to get offline and get outside, as well as a summary of the park infrastructure improvements made over the past year. [Read more…] about State Council of Parks Releases 2025 Annual Report

Robert Moses’ Lake George Park Commission Opposition Began his Downfall

February 11, 2025 by Anthony F. Hall 1 Comment

Inside the Blue Line of the Adirondack Park, only John Brown’s Farm and the Crown Point ruins are managed by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks). All other public lands and amenities – camp grounds, picnic areas, hiking trails and lean-tos, camping islands – fall under the supervision of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

Wint Aldrich, a Deputy Commissioner for Historic Preservation at Parks through four administrations, once explained that anomaly to me. “The Conservation Department [precursor to DEC] didn’t want Robert Moses anywhere near the Forest Preserve,” Aldrich said. [Read more…] about Robert Moses’ Lake George Park Commission Opposition Began his Downfall

State Parks History: From Nelson Rockefeller to George Pataki

January 24, 2025 by Guest Contributor Leave a Comment

One of the most influential families in New York and American history, the Rockefellers had a deep interest in conservation. In 1959, Nelson Rockefeller, son of John Rockefeller Jr., was elected as New York’s governor, introducing an era which would come to be known as the Rockefeller Period.

During this period, New York State Parks would undergo significant changes and one of its most rapid periods of expansion since its inception. [Read more…] about State Parks History: From Nelson Rockefeller to George Pataki

Bryan Erwin Named Chair of State Council of Parks

April 11, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul designated Bryan Erwin of Mattituck, Long Island, the new chair of the State Council of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The Council of Parks consists of the chairs of the eleven regional park commissions, the Commissioner of State Parks, the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Chair of the State Board of Historic Preservation. [Read more…] about Bryan Erwin Named Chair of State Council of Parks

Council of Parks Releases Report, 2011 Priorities

January 31, 2011 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The 2010 State Council of Parks Annual Report has been released. The Council issues a report annually pursuant to Article 5.09 of the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law. The report provides a summary of regional activities and outlines the Council’s 2011 priorities. [Read more…] about Council of Parks Releases Report, 2011 Priorities

New York State Council of Parks

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