New York State Parks to develop statewide greenways plan

Division of Environmental Stewardship & Planning releases draft scoping document

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Division of Environmental Stewardship and Planning announced the release of the draft scoping document for the Draft Statewide Greenways Plan and Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement (DGEIS) for public comment.

State Parks is preparing a plan for a comprehensive statewide system of non-motorized multiuse trails (Greenway Trails) as directed by legislation signed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in November 2019 (S.4416.b/A5035B ). This Statewide Greenways Plan will identify trail user types, address trail needs and trends, and discuss the benefits of trails. The creation of the draft plan will solicit input from a variety of state and local stakeholders as well as from the general public. The plan will also compile a GIS inventory of existing and proposed non-motorized, shared-use trails across the state.

The plan will provide a vision, goals and recommendations that will guide future planning and development of greenway trails in the state. The final plan will guide decision-making, influence greenway development policy in state and local governments, and inform communities, organizations and individuals engaged in trail development and management.

The draft scoping document is available on the internet for viewing or downloading at: https://parks.ny.gov/inside-our-agency/master-plans.aspx. A non-digital copy of the document can be provided by the agency contact listed below.

Written comments on the draft scoping document for the Draft Statewide Greenways Plan/Draft GEIS will be accepted until May 31, and may be submitted to [email protected] or mailed to the contact address below.

State Parks will hold two public webinars to provide information on the draft scoping document and offer the public an opportunity to comment. The webinars will be from 9:30-10:30 a.m. or 2:30-3:30 p.m. May 14 (content will be the same). People wishing to attend a webinar should send an email to [email protected] with their name, title and organization requesting registration for the webinar. A registration confirmation email will be sent and they will receive login information three working days prior to the webinar. Deadline to register is Sunday, May 10.

Following the written comment period, State Parks will prepare and post a final scoping document. All written comments may be submitted to [email protected].