The State’s Historic Preservation Awards have been made to 11 projects across the state, including those that relate to African American landownership on Long Island, renovation of a former Carnegie Library in the Southern Tier, and rehabilitation of a former 1930s vacant high school into affordable housing in Western New York. [Read more…] about Historic Preservation Projects Honored Statewide
NYSOPRHP
NY State Parks, Historic Sites Set Attendance Record
New York’s State parks, historic sites, campgrounds, and trails welcomed a record-setting 78 million visitors in 2020 according to the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the state agency charged with the operation of New York State parks and historic sites
The milestone marks nine years of steady visitor growth and represents an overall increase of 34 percent, or more than 20 million visitors since 2011. [Read more…] about NY State Parks, Historic Sites Set Attendance Record
Feinman: Staffing Issues At State Historic Sites
While attendance at New York State Parks and Historic Sites has been increasing, staffing levels are on the decline advocates say, as much 22% in the past seven years. That means a decrease in lifeguards, park maintenance, and rangers, a decrease in public pool hours, and more trash and vandalism. [Read more…] about Feinman: Staffing Issues At State Historic Sites
REDC Funding for History Projects and State Parks
For the history community, one of the most important resources for Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) funding has been the New York State Office of Parks and Historic Preservation (State Parks), despite the agency is mostly concerned with parks, not historic sites.
[Read more…] about REDC Funding for History Projects and State Parks
28 Sites Nominated To State, National Historic Registers
The New York State Board of Historic Preservation has announced that 28 sites have been nominated to the State and National Registers of Historic Places. The Barge Canal Historic District was one of the properties, resources and districts across the state advanced for the historic designation.
The Barge Canal Historic District includes the four historic branches of the state’s 20th century canal system; the Erie, Champlain, Oswego, and Cayuga-Seneca canals – all much enlarged versions of waterways that were initially constructed during the 1820s. The district sprawls 450 miles over 18 counties and encompasses 23,000 acres. Past and present day photos of sections of the canal can be found here. [Read more…] about 28 Sites Nominated To State, National Historic Registers
Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey To Present Jay Lecture
The John Jay Lecture, jointly sponsored by Pace Law School and the Jay Heritage Center, will be held on April 29th at the Jay Estate in Rye, NY, the National Historic Landmark property where Jay grew up as a child and which he owned and managed from 1813 to 1822 before passing it on to his eldest son Peter.
The speaker this year is Hon. Rose Harvey, Commissioner of New York State’s Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation (OPRHP) of the State of New York. Harvey will speak on the topic “Stewardship of New York’s Cultural & Natural History”. [Read more…] about Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey To Present Jay Lecture
State Parks Seek Outdoor Recreation Partners
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation has announced that it is seeking business or community service proposals to provide outdoor recreation and instruction programs that encourage state park visitors to participate in healthy activities.
The information gathered will be examined to identify opportunities to expand outdoor recreational programming and instructional classes, introduce park patrons to new recreation opportunities and new outdoor skills, and increase visitation in the parks and historic sites of the state park system.
“The outdoor recreation economy has proved its significance over the past several years, and our parks offer the settings and facilities for a multitude of recreational opportunities, from paddle-sports and fishing to mountain biking and cross-country skiing,” Rose Harvey, Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation said in a prepared statement to the press. “There is a great opportunity for partnerships to offer new and innovative ways to invest in our parks and our visitors, and I look forward to reviewing the proposals.”
The Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) targets businesses, non-profit organizations and individuals, potential operators, user groups, and other prospective partners for ideas for outdoor recreation programs and activities at the parks or sites of their choice. After receiving responses, State Parks will assess the submissions and may elect to interview those received which meet the agency’s goals and objectives with potential benefits and impacts on the park system overall, as well as the park under consideration. State Parks intends that the RFEI will help in the development of one or more programs for the enhancement, improvement and future use of the parks.
To request a copy of the RFEI, please call 518-486-2932 or email concessions@parks.ny.gov. Proposed projects will need to be submitted by November 9, 2012. All expressions of interest responding to this RFEI must be in writing, signed by an authorized representative of the respondent, and submitted in a sealed envelope clearly marked “Outdoor Education RFEI” and directed to the following designated contact:
Attention: Harold H. Hagemann, Jr.
Director, Concessions Management Bureau
NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation
Albany, New York 12238
Telephone: 518-486-2932
Clearly marked responses may also be electronically submitted on or before the deadline to the following e-mail address: concessions@parks.ny.gov, or via a CD mailed to Mr. Hagemann as noted above.
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 178 state parks and 35 historic sites. 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.
Volunteers Headed to State Parks, Historic Sites
“Our parks are one of the hidden treasures of our state,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said today, inviting New Yorkers to participate in the first ever I Love My Park Day, a statewide event to enhance the state’s parks and historic sites and bring visibility to the entire park system and its needs.
Thousands of New Yorkers are expected to turn out on Saturday, May 5, to volunteer to help improve our state parks. Volunteers will celebrate New York’s state park system by cleaning up park lands and beaches, planting trees and gardens, restoring trails and wildlife habitats, removing invasive species, and working on various site improvement projects.
There are more than 35 participating state parks and historic sites. Bring your friends and family to your favorite park this Saturday and help preserve the beauty of this great state. You can click here to find a park or historic site and sign up, or just show up!