Victory! All state parks and historic sites to open!

Dear Friend of New York's Parks & Trails -

Victory! A deal has been reached to keep all state parks and historic sites open this year. This would NEVER have happened without the outpouring of public support from parks enthusiasts like you over the last several months.

Hundreds of thousands of park lovers made their voices heard in Albany and around the state. Clearly, New Yorkers are passionate about their parks and this passion has been transformed into a strong, vibrant grassroots constituency that will be with us for years to come.

Closing parks in a budget crunch always seemed counter-productive to us -- state parks annually contribute almost $2 billion to state and local economies.

But there is another reason why we must continue to support our state parks, a reason that does not receive as much attention as it should: parks are our common ground, our communal space, our way of enabling New Yorkers of every age, income, and background to enjoy the natural world that is our common heritage.

Parks & Trails New York has been fighting for this vision for a long time, and we will continue to fight for it with your help and support.

I invite you to read the Spring 2010 edition of our GreenSpace newsletter now available on-line. Although it went to press before this year's parks struggle was resolved, it celebrates the emergence of an invigorated voice for parks that will be essential in the future.

After you look through it, if you're not a member already, please consider supporting our work by becoming a member today.

And be sure to visit one of New York's incredible state parks this Memorial Day weekend to see just how great the victory is that has been achieved!

Best,

Robin Dropkin
Executive Director
Parks & Trails New York